John Lee Hooker has one of the most mournful voices in popular music and the singer-guitarist composed the bleak song “Blues for Christmas,” which included the lines “blues for Christmas/blue as I can be/I’m sitting here drinkin’/trying to drink my baby back.” The song was recorded in Detroit in 1949, in the era when Hooker was recording for the famous Chess label. Clapton’s album, which also features a version of “Silent Night” that is worthy of inclusion among the best Christmas blues songs, was co-produced by Clapton with Simon Climie and features cover art designed by the legendary guitarist. Grammy-winning Eric Clapton released his own Christmas album in 2018, after figuring out, as he put it, “how to play the blues lines in between the vocals of holiday songs.” His solo on “Christmas Tears” is eye-wateringly good. “Christmas Tears” was blues legend Freddie King’s Christmas anthem, written and recorded in 1961. (For something that’s got a little bit more swing and boogie, try “Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin’.”) King, who was known as “The Velvet Bulldozer” because of his smooth singing and size (he was 6’ 6”), adds some funk and blues for Christmas time. We didn’t know it was going to be a great big hit, but I thought it was unique.”Īlbert King: Christmas (Comes But Once A Year)Īlbert King took the song “Christmas (Comes But Once A Year),” which had been a hit for Amos Milburn in 1960, and gave it a makeover, playing some sizzling blues guitar. “I wrote the title ‘Merry Christmas Baby’, and I wrote the words, how I was going to sing it, and I mapped it out, played the piano, and I presented it to Johnny Moore. Brown, whose delicate slow-paced style influenced blues performances for two decades, said he helped Lou Baxter with the composition. “Merry Christmas” is probably the only song that has been covered by both Bruce Springsteen and Mae West, but the definitive version was released in 1947 by singer and pianist Charles Brown as part of Johnny Moore’s vocal group Three Blazers. (For a more upbeat bit of Christmas music from Berry, be sure to check “Run Rudolph Run.”) Louis days, including Jules Blattner (guitar) and Brian Hamilton (saxophone), offers a reminder of how good he was at singing ballads. Berry, backed by old friends from his St. The song is nostalgic, with Berry singing about being far away from home, far away from loved ones, and dreaming of wrapping Christmas presents. Happy holidays and merry Christmas.Chuck Berry’s most sentimental song, “Spending Christmas,” was recorded for Chess Records in Chicago in December 1964, and produced by label owners Phil and Leonard Chess. Patrice Rushen played heartwarming renditions of some of my favorites, including an arrangement of Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas," and even found the time to make a TikTok with the Kennedy team!Īs we make our way towards an uncertain future, we hope that the magic of these performances can bring a bit of light and good cheer into your homes. The swing of the show had a real West Coast feel all three pianists have roots in California.Įric Reed brought a mix of reverence and celebration, and Gerald Clayton leaned into The Nutcracker and Charlie Brown classics. It was a joyous evening filled with jazz for the holidays. There was an air of excitement in the theater and I think everyone was happy to be in the same room, listening to live music together again. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., with vaccination cards in hand.
Christmas jazz piano bar music full#
This year the full audience was back for holiday music in the Terrace Theater at the John F. A Jazz Piano Christmas is one that I cherish every year. Jati Lindsay/Courtesy of the Kennedy CenterĪs the world gingerly steps toward a new reality, traditions can be so important. Pianist Patrice Rushen performs at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
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