Big Band Holidays
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra · 2015
61 min · 12 tracks · jazz
A vibrant collection of beloved holiday standards reimagined through the lush arrangements and spirited improvisation of a big band.
Top tracks — play these first
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Have Yourself a Merry Christmas — This track stands out with its lush orchestration and heartfelt arrangement, capturing the essence of nostalgia while highlighting individual soloists.
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White Christmas — The arrangement features intricate harmonies and rich textures, transforming this classic into a sophisticated jazz piece that showcases the ensemble's talent.
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'Zat You, Santa Claus ? — Infused with playful energy, this rendition captures a lively swing feel, making it a standout example of the album's joyful spirit.
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I'll Be Home for Christmas — This track’s poignant arrangement allows for emotional depth, showcasing both the orchestra's technical precision and expressive capabilities.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album offers vibrant arrangements and improvisation but lacks cohesion due to its final track's nature.
What we noticed
- Several tracks include extended improvisational solos, allowing individual musicians to reinterpret the holiday standards in real-time.
- The last track consists of band introductions, which breaks the flow of the album and feels more like a live performance than a cohesive studio recording.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- festive energy for holiday gatherings
- swinging arrangements that invite dancing
- warm nostalgia for seasonal celebrations
- joyful spirit for parties
- inviting atmosphere for family moments
Maybe skip if you
- seeking minimalistic soundscapes
- prefer modern, experimental styles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 2015, Big Band Holidays represents a celebration of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra's commitment to blending traditional jazz with holiday classics. This album came after their successful project, The Music of Duke Ellington, expanding their repertoire into festive territory while showcasing their distinctive sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Maria Schneider Orchestra· Big Bad Voodoo Daddy· Wynton Marsalis
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Jingle Bells 2:18
- 2 Have Yourself a Merry Christmas 6:28
- 3 White Christmas 5:16
- 4 'Zat You, Santa Claus ? 6:14
- 5 A Cradle in Bethlehem 5:37
- 6 We Three Kings 6:19
- 7 What Child is This ? 8:00
- 8 Merry Christmas Baby 4:55
- 9 It's Easy to Blame the Weather 4:41
- 10 I'll Be Home for Christmas 4:55
- 11 Good Morning Blues 5:35
- 12 Band Introductions 1:11
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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