Once again, it's that time of year to induct a new entry into the JazzWax Vintage Holiday Album Hall of Fame. This year marks the Hall's 16th season and one of JazzWax's oldest annual traditions.
This year's inductee is Merry From Lena, by Lena Horne. Released by United Artists in 1966, the album was produced by Ray Ellis (Billie Holiday's Lady in Satin) and orchestrated and conducted by Jack Parnell. The vocalist was in fine, swinging form.
Now meet the rest of the JazzWax Vintage Holiday Album Hall of Fame, in order of their induction year. Assembled and shuffled in Apple Music, they make a standout compilation playlist. Most albums are also available on streaming platforms or at YouTube...
Inducted in 2022—Shorty Rogers'The Swingin' Nutcracker (1960).
2021—Helen Merrill's Christmas Song Book (1991).
2020—Guitars for Christmas (2003).
2019—Christmas With the George Shearing Quintet (2003).
2018—Gap Mangione's Family Holidays (2005).
2017—Doris Day: Complete Christmas Collection (1964).
2016—Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas (1960).
2015—Two albums with the same title: Bobby Timmons' Holiday Soul and Don Patterson's Holiday Soul. Both trio albums were recorded for Prestige in Nov. 1964—the former on the 24th and the latter on the 25th.
2014—Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass: Christmas Album (1968).
2013—Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme's That Holiday Feeling! (1964).
Here are albums that have already been inducted into the JazzWax Holiday Album Hall of Fame...
2012—Duke Pearson: Merry Ole Soul (1969).
2011—Urbie Green: A Cool Yule Tide (1954).
2010—Eddie Higgins Trio: Christmas Songs (2004).
2009—June Christy: This Time of Year (1961).
2008—Jo Stafford's Happy Holidays: I Love the Winter Weather (1950s).
This year's inductee is Merry From Lena, by Lena Horne. Released by United Artists in 1966, the album was produced by Ray Ellis (Billie Holiday's Lady in Satin) and orchestrated and conducted by Jack Parnell. The vocalist was in fine, swinging form.
Now meet the rest of the JazzWax Vintage Holiday Album Hall of Fame, in order of their induction year. Assembled and shuffled in Apple Music, they make a standout compilation playlist. Most albums are also available on streaming platforms or at YouTube...
Inducted in 2022—Shorty Rogers'The Swingin' Nutcracker (1960).
2021—Helen Merrill's Christmas Song Book (1991).
2020—Guitars for Christmas (2003).
2019—Christmas With the George Shearing Quintet (2003).
2018—Gap Mangione's Family Holidays (2005).
2017—Doris Day: Complete Christmas Collection (1964).
2016—Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas (1960).
2015—Two albums with the same title: Bobby Timmons' Holiday Soul and Don Patterson's Holiday Soul. Both trio albums were recorded for Prestige in Nov. 1964—the former on the 24th and the latter on the 25th.
2014—Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass: Christmas Album (1968).
2013—Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme's That Holiday Feeling! (1964).
Here are albums that have already been inducted into the JazzWax Holiday Album Hall of Fame...
2012—Duke Pearson: Merry Ole Soul (1969).
2011—Urbie Green: A Cool Yule Tide (1954).
2010—Eddie Higgins Trio: Christmas Songs (2004).
2009—June Christy: This Time of Year (1961).
2008—Jo Stafford's Happy Holidays: I Love the Winter Weather (1950s).
This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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