Swing!
Episode 5 – Santa Swings
This episode is hosted by the big man himself – you know . . . the guy in red, the dude with the sleigh, he who hires elves and runs with reindeer – Santa Claus! Before he comes to town, he thought he’d swing by SoulandJazz.com to play you some of his favourite Christmas tunes. If you don’t listen, he has assured me that you will be put on the naughty list!
The guy is admittedly pretty old – but he’s hip . . . who else could get away with wearing red velvet in public? So, his taste tends towards classics you just don’t hear anymore, by swingers such as Louis Armstrong, Art Carney, Mabel Scott, Lena Horne, Louis Prima, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar McLollie & His Honey Jumpers, Pearl Bailey, Frankie Carle, Benny Goodman, Julia Lee, Peggy Lee, Tommy Dorsey, Lionel Hampton & Billy Holiday.
We think you’ll agree that these are some the best versions of Christmas songs ever recorded – as well as some that I’m pretty sure you’ve never heard before – and they are all gathered for you here in one place for this 5th episode of “Swing!” So, hop on Santa’s sleigh and enjoy the ride!
If you have a comment to Santa about the show, or anything else – I know him personally, so just send you letters to Scott@SoulandJazz.com
Merry Christmas & Agape Ya’ll
J. Scott Fugate, ‘The Jazz Evangelist
Swing!
Episode 5 – Santa Swings
Artist – Track – Album – Year
Louis Armstrong Zat You, Santa Claus? Christmas Through The Years 1953
Art Carney Twas The Night Before Christmas Jingle Bell Swing 1954
Mabel Scott Boogie Woogie Santa Claus Hipster’s Holiday 1948
Lena Horne Jingle All The Way Merry From Lena 1966
Louis Prima Shake Hands With Santa Claus Swingin’ Christams 1951
Bing Crosby & Ella Fitzgerald Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer The Crosby Christmas Sessions 1952
Oscar McLollie & His Honey Jumpers Dig That Crazy Santa Claus Hipster’s Holiday 1954
Pearl Bailey A Five Pound Box of Money Hipster’s Holiday 1958
Louis Armstrong & His Allstars Christmas Night In Harlem Best of Louis Armstrong – Christmas 1955
Ella Fitzgerald Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas 1960
Frankie Carle & His Orchestra Little Jack Frost Get Lost 1940’s Christmas 1936
Benny Goodman & His Orchestra Jingle Bells A Swinging Christmas 1935
Julia Lee & Her Boyfriends Christmas Spirit Doo Wop Christmas 1947
Louis Armstrong & The Commanders Cool Yule Best of Louis Armstrong – Christmas 1953
Ella Fitzgerald Sleigh Ride Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas 1960
Bing Crosby & Peggy Lee Here Comes Santa Claus The Crosby Christmas Sessions 1949
Benny Goodman & Peggy Lee Winter Weather Benny Goodman featuring Peggy Lee 1941
Louis Prima & His New Orleans Gang What Will Santa Claus Say? (When He Finds Everybody Swingin’) Jingle Bell Swing 1936
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 1940’s Christmas 1935
Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra Merry Christmas Baby Swingin’ Christams 1950
Benny Goodman Santa Claus Came In The Spring 1940’s Christmas 1935
Billy Holiday I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm Have Yourself A Jazzy Little Christmas 1955
Background Swing Provided by:
Dave Brubeck Quartet Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 1961