I may have been born Jewish, but come Thanksgiving every year, I have my playlists armed and ready with the best in Christmas jazz!

 

Maybe it’s because I was raised on steady diet of Vince Guaraldi (the pianist and composer of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’). Or maybe it’s because as I made my way as a New York jazz musician, every musical luminary from Dexter Gordon to Nat King Cole chimed-in with their own rendition of a Christmas classic.

 

But whatever the reason, there’s something about the marriage of jazz and holiday music that makes the season that much more joyous for me.

 

So as we celebrate the holidays and the coming of 2025, here’s a sampling of some of my favorite holiday jazz. From our stages to your homes, here’s wishing you all a happy, healthy and swinging season!

 

Jon Regen
Entertainment Director, GrandLife Hotels