Five Guitar Chestnuts From The Album, A Concord Jazz Christmas

JGT contributor Joe Barth shares his favorite tracks from a Christmas classic, A Concord Jazz Christmas – listen below!

In the 1990s Concord Records was known as the “Guitar Label” because they signed many of the jazz guitar greats of the day.  In 1994 when they did a Christmas Collection album many of those guitarists were asked to contribute to the album.  Here are five guitar renditions to liven up your Christmas weekend.  

Track #6: Charlie Byrd & The Washington Guitar Quintet: “Silent Night/ Carol of the Bells

Charlie Byrd was the fingerstyle guitarist who along with Stan Getz brought the Bossa Nova to the United States in the 1960s.  Here is a mellow five-guitar rendition that also features classical guitar great Carlos Barbosa-Lima.

Track #9:  Frank Vignola Quintet: “Jingle Bells”

Frank and crew get down and funky in this rendition that would work on Fat Tuesday as well as Christmas.

Track #12:  Jimmy Bruno: “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”

Here’s a different Jimmy than what we normally hear.  He is playing nylon string solo guitar.

Track #13:  Ed Bickert: (in the Rob McConnell Trio) “The Christmas Waltz”

Ed is at his best here with his longtime friend and collaborator trombonist Rob McConnell.  For the solos, they seamlessly slip into a swinging groove.

Track #16:  Howard Alden:  Winter Wonderland”

On this track, Howard and clarinetist Ken Peplowski are two people with one mind.  They are so musically sensitive to one another that they seem to finish one another’s thoughts and go from there.  Very inventive and spirited playing!

Happy Holidays from Jazz Guitar Today!