One of my favorite Christmas albums of 2021 was Merry Christmas from José James, which featured the jazz vocalist in a classic quartet that included pianist Aaron Parks.
We talked in 2021 and ran part of the conversation last holiday season, but we covered a lot of ground, some of it COVID-related but a lot of it focused on James and the way he bridges musical genres. We chew on jazz, hip-hop, and some of the subtle challenges involved in making Christmas music. The music's good, but I also love the way he turns conventional narratives and hierarchies on their head. It's tempting to give jazz musical primacy--certainly here in New Orleans--but he talks about how hip-hop set him on his jazz journey.
If you want more Christmas music news, follow 12 Songs on Facebook, and if you miss any episodes, you can find them at your podcast provider or TwelveSongsOfChristmas.com.
A Punk Rock Christmas with The Myrrhderers
Cheap Trick
Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas with Larry Weinstein
The Polyphonic Spree
George Winston
Christmas on Death Row
Lindsey Stirling
Christmas mp3 blogs with FaLaLaLaLa.com's King of Jingaling
The Bird and The Bee
A Chiptune Christmas with Doctor Octoroc
ZE Records' "A Christmas Record" with Michael Zilkha
Calexico
Peter Orullian
11 Acorn Lane
An Indie Rock Christmas with Gareth Jones
Jacqui Naylor
Steve Lukather
New Orleans' Panorama Jazz Band (an encore presentation)
Sufjan Stevens' "Music for Christmas" with Chris Marchand
A Latin Ska Christmas with Mento Buru
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