Jazz up your holidays with these fine gift ideas from your friends at All About Jazz.
If you have a gift idea for our guide, please post it to the comments section below. If it's sold at Amazon, we'll include it. Electronics, music (including special edition and collectible box sets), books... whatever you think will make a great gift for a jazz music lover.
The Cambridge Audio Alva TT is for the audiophile who wants to take vinyl to an “almost there” experience. The phono stage and Bluetooth output let you enjoy unrivaled sound from any Hi-Fi or speaker system. he Alva TT mates a medium torque Direct Drive system with a jointless one-piece tonearm and pre-installed MC cartridge. Get extremely accurate playback speed for flawless pitch stability and hear every nuance and detail.
Get brilliant sound anywhere with the all-new Sonos Move, the durable, battery-powered smart speaker for outdoor and indoor listening. Setup takes minutes, and control is simple with the Sonos app, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and your voice. Stream over WiFi and connect Move to the rest of your Sonos system at home. Switch to Bluetooth when you're away and offline. Amazon Alexa is built right in so on WiFi you can play music, check news, set alarms, get your questions answered, and more, completely hands free. Experience surprisingly deep bass, a wide soundscape, and automatic Trueplay tuning that perfectly balances the sound for where you are and what you're listening to. Enjoy up to 11 hours of continuous play time and deep, powerful sound. Easily recharge Move on the included base, or a compatible USB-C charger.
New look, new sound—Echo delivers clear highs, dynamic mids, and deep bass for rich, detailed sound that automatically adapts to any room.
Perfect for vocals, musical instruments, podcasting, voiceovers, interviews, field recordings, conference calls.
Inspired by the legendary SM7B, the MV7 is a dynamic microphone with USB and XLR outputs Connect via USB and explore additional set-up features and Auto Level Mode within our ShurePlus MOTIV app, to control your vocal tone, and distance from the microphone.
Three levels of world-class noise cancellation for better listening experience in any environment. Alexa-enabled for voice access to music, information, and more.
Totally wireless high-performance earphones in black; Up to 9 hours of listening time (more than 24 hours with charging case); Adjustable, secure-fit ear hooks for lightweight comfort and stability; Reinforced design for sweat & water resistance during tough workouts or running; Volume & track controls on each earbud, voice capability, and auto play/pause; Features the Apple H1 headphone chip and Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range and fewer dropouts.
Latest release of our best-selling Fire TV device—50% more powerful than previous gen for fast streaming in Full HD. Includes Alexa Voice Remote with power and volume buttons.
Joined by Butch Warren and Walter Perkins, legendary pianist Bobby Timmons turns in fresh, groovy takes on classics like “White Christmas," “Winter Wonderland" and “We Three Kings." Timmons' artistry and signature sound are on full display on this inspired set of holiday fare. Available again for the first time since 1964.
Available for the first time since its release in 1964, Holiday Soul finds organist Don Patterson, joined by guitarist Pat Martino and drummer Billy James, leading the trio in a high-energy set of Yuletide staples like “Jingle Bells," “Merry Christmas Baby," and “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer."
Presenting a 4-LP set of classic Holiday titles from Verve with three titles from Ramsey Lewis, Jimmy Smith and Kenny Burrell on LP for the first time since their original release. Rounding out the set is the evergreen `Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas'. All titles are presented with original artwork.
After the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968, racial tensions across the country rose. Palo Alto, a largely white college town in Cali, wasn't immune. Danny Scher, a junior at the high school, had a dream to have Thelonious Monk perform and help bring about racial unity the community while raising funds for the International Committee. After many twists and turns, the triumphantly successful concert eventually happened. Now available on Vinyl- includes 2 booklets and a poster.
The First Lady of Song Returns to Berlin, Home of Her Legendary Concerts. Recorded in 1962 but NEVER released, hear the most popular jazz singer of all time deliver an iconic performance at Sportpalast Berlin for the first time. This recording finds Ella and her band at the top of their game recorded in HIGH FIDELITY STEREO. With only two songs repeated from her hit record “Mack The Knife" two years earlier, this undiscovered recording stands on its own.
A remastered, deluxe 2-CD with the original album plus a bonus disc of alternate takes and versions – including rehearsal and incomplete tracks, as well as false starts – only previously included in The Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings of John Coltrane boxed set. This 2-CD configuration is a 6-panel, 2-pocket digi that features a 24-page booklet.
A rare collection of more than 200 full-color and black-and-white souvenir photographs and memorabilia that bring to life the renowned jazz nightclubs of the 1940s and 1950s, compiled by Grammy Award-winning record executive and music historian Jeff Gold and featuring exclusive interviews with Quincy Jones, Sonny Rollins, Robin Givhan, Jason Moran, and Dan Morgenstern.
The graphic novel tells the story of Bird's time in L.A. starting in December 1945, where Bird and Dizzy Gillespie brought frenetic sounds of bebop from the East Coast jazz underground to the West Coast for a two-month residency at Billy Berg's Hollywood jazz club. This marked the beginning of a tumultuous two year-stint for Bird bumming around L.A., showing up at jam sessions, crashing on people's couches, causing havoc in public places, and recording some of his most groundbreaking tracks, “A Night in Tunisia" and “Ornithology," as well as “Relaxin' At Camarillo," inspired by the end of his time in SoCal at the Camarillo State Hospital. The novel explores Bird's relationship with the characters and events he encountered during his time in L.A. including recording some of his signature songs with Dial Record founder Ross Russell, a brief but influential stay at the home of famed jazz photographer William Claxton, a party for the ages at the ranch home of artist Jirayr Zorthian, and others who found themselves in the orbit of the jazz genius.
This book compiles more than 150 Francis Wolff photos of jazz stars, most of which are published here for the very first time. It also includes a special introduction by renowned music historian Ashley Kahn. “For two decades, Francis Wolff showcased jazz photography by photographing every jazz session that Blue Note Records made. He not only preserved a major part of jazz history, but with his remarkable eye, he captured amazing candid portraits of great artists that reveal the joy and intensity of jazz at the point of creation." —Michael Cuscuna
If you have a gift idea for our guide, please post it to the comments section below. If it's sold at Amazon, we'll include it. Electronics, music (including special edition and collectible box sets), books... whatever you think will make a great gift for a jazz music lover.
Audio & Video
Cambridge Audio Alva TT Direct Drive Turntable
BUYThe Cambridge Audio Alva TT is for the audiophile who wants to take vinyl to an “almost there” experience. The phono stage and Bluetooth output let you enjoy unrivaled sound from any Hi-Fi or speaker system. he Alva TT mates a medium torque Direct Drive system with a jointless one-piece tonearm and pre-installed MC cartridge. Get extremely accurate playback speed for flawless pitch stability and hear every nuance and detail.
Sonos Move Speaker
BUYGet brilliant sound anywhere with the all-new Sonos Move, the durable, battery-powered smart speaker for outdoor and indoor listening. Setup takes minutes, and control is simple with the Sonos app, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and your voice. Stream over WiFi and connect Move to the rest of your Sonos system at home. Switch to Bluetooth when you're away and offline. Amazon Alexa is built right in so on WiFi you can play music, check news, set alarms, get your questions answered, and more, completely hands free. Experience surprisingly deep bass, a wide soundscape, and automatic Trueplay tuning that perfectly balances the sound for where you are and what you're listening to. Enjoy up to 11 hours of continuous play time and deep, powerful sound. Easily recharge Move on the included base, or a compatible USB-C charger.
4th Gen Echo With premium sound, smart home hub, and Alexa
BUYNew look, new sound—Echo delivers clear highs, dynamic mids, and deep bass for rich, detailed sound that automatically adapts to any room.
Blue Yeti USB Microphone
BUYPerfect for vocals, musical instruments, podcasting, voiceovers, interviews, field recordings, conference calls.
Shure MV7 USB Podcast Microphone
BUYInspired by the legendary SM7B, the MV7 is a dynamic microphone with USB and XLR outputs Connect via USB and explore additional set-up features and Auto Level Mode within our ShurePlus MOTIV app, to control your vocal tone, and distance from the microphone.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
BUYThree levels of world-class noise cancellation for better listening experience in any environment. Alexa-enabled for voice access to music, information, and more.
Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earphones
BUYTotally wireless high-performance earphones in black; Up to 9 hours of listening time (more than 24 hours with charging case); Adjustable, secure-fit ear hooks for lightweight comfort and stability; Reinforced design for sweat & water resistance during tough workouts or running; Volume & track controls on each earbud, voice capability, and auto play/pause; Features the Apple H1 headphone chip and Class 1 Bluetooth for extended range and fewer dropouts.
Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote
BUYLatest release of our best-selling Fire TV device—50% more powerful than previous gen for fast streaming in Full HD. Includes Alexa Voice Remote with power and volume buttons.
Holiday Music
Jazz musicians make the best Christmas music and these two Holiday Soul classics are sure to get your (socially-distanced) party rolling.
Bobby Timmons: Holiday Soul
BUYJoined by Butch Warren and Walter Perkins, legendary pianist Bobby Timmons turns in fresh, groovy takes on classics like “White Christmas," “Winter Wonderland" and “We Three Kings." Timmons' artistry and signature sound are on full display on this inspired set of holiday fare. Available again for the first time since 1964.
Don Patterson: Holiday Soul
BUYAvailable for the first time since its release in 1964, Holiday Soul finds organist Don Patterson, joined by guitarist Pat Martino and drummer Billy James, leading the trio in a high-energy set of Yuletide staples like “Jingle Bells," “Merry Christmas Baby," and “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer."
Verve Wishes You A Swinging Christmas [4 LP Box Set]
BUYPresenting a 4-LP set of classic Holiday titles from Verve with three titles from Ramsey Lewis, Jimmy Smith and Kenny Burrell on LP for the first time since their original release. Rounding out the set is the evergreen `Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas'. All titles are presented with original artwork.
Vinyl & CDs
Thelonious Monk: Palo Alto [LP]
BUYAfter the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968, racial tensions across the country rose. Palo Alto, a largely white college town in Cali, wasn't immune. Danny Scher, a junior at the high school, had a dream to have Thelonious Monk perform and help bring about racial unity the community while raising funds for the International Committee. After many twists and turns, the triumphantly successful concert eventually happened. Now available on Vinyl- includes 2 booklets and a poster.
Ella: The Lost Berlin Tapes [2 LP]
BUYThe First Lady of Song Returns to Berlin, Home of Her Legendary Concerts. Recorded in 1962 but NEVER released, hear the most popular jazz singer of all time deliver an iconic performance at Sportpalast Berlin for the first time. This recording finds Ella and her band at the top of their game recorded in HIGH FIDELITY STEREO. With only two songs repeated from her hit record “Mack The Knife" two years earlier, this undiscovered recording stands on its own.
John Coltrane: Giant Steps (60th Anniversary Edition)
BUYA remastered, deluxe 2-CD with the original album plus a bonus disc of alternate takes and versions – including rehearsal and incomplete tracks, as well as false starts – only previously included in The Heavyweight Champion: The Complete Atlantic Recordings of John Coltrane boxed set. This 2-CD configuration is a 6-panel, 2-pocket digi that features a 24-page booklet.
Books
Sittin' In: Jazz Clubs of the 1940s and 1950s
BUYA rare collection of more than 200 full-color and black-and-white souvenir photographs and memorabilia that bring to life the renowned jazz nightclubs of the 1940s and 1950s, compiled by Grammy Award-winning record executive and music historian Jeff Gold and featuring exclusive interviews with Quincy Jones, Sonny Rollins, Robin Givhan, Jason Moran, and Dan Morgenstern.
Chasin' The Bird: A Charlie Parker Graphic Novel
BUYThe graphic novel tells the story of Bird's time in L.A. starting in December 1945, where Bird and Dizzy Gillespie brought frenetic sounds of bebop from the East Coast jazz underground to the West Coast for a two-month residency at Billy Berg's Hollywood jazz club. This marked the beginning of a tumultuous two year-stint for Bird bumming around L.A., showing up at jam sessions, crashing on people's couches, causing havoc in public places, and recording some of his most groundbreaking tracks, “A Night in Tunisia" and “Ornithology," as well as “Relaxin' At Camarillo," inspired by the end of his time in SoCal at the Camarillo State Hospital. The novel explores Bird's relationship with the characters and events he encountered during his time in L.A. including recording some of his signature songs with Dial Record founder Ross Russell, a brief but influential stay at the home of famed jazz photographer William Claxton, a party for the ages at the ranch home of artist Jirayr Zorthian, and others who found themselves in the orbit of the jazz genius.
Jazz Images by Francis Wolff
BUYThis book compiles more than 150 Francis Wolff photos of jazz stars, most of which are published here for the very first time. It also includes a special introduction by renowned music historian Ashley Kahn. “For two decades, Francis Wolff showcased jazz photography by photographing every jazz session that Blue Note Records made. He not only preserved a major part of jazz history, but with his remarkable eye, he captured amazing candid portraits of great artists that reveal the joy and intensity of jazz at the point of creation." —Michael Cuscuna
