Me & My Jazz with Yomi Sower (Episode 8): It’s the most Jazzy time of the Year, or not!: How Jazz and Christmas became intertwined

For most people growing up in either upper, middle or lower class families, the Christmas season always evoked a certain kind of excitement and joy distinctly different from the rest of the year.

It didn’t matter whether or not you believed in Christmas, because the season was conveniently tucked away in the final month of the year, December, and the festive spirit always caught up with you.

The season called for celebration, and taking stock of successes and failures of the previous months; ah did I mention ‘stock’? It kind of reminds me of another word, “stockings”; and in December, stockings were synonymous with “presents”! If they mysteriously appeared after Santa Claus paid a visit or were secretly hidden there by our parents, we all loved presents.

In sub-saharan Africa, even without Santa’s visitation or stockings, Christmas was usually a time our old clothes and shoes got thrown out, and new ones replaced them in the form of presents. But there’s one aspect of Christmas that we all share, regardless of where we are in the world– Carols ( Christmas songs)

How Jazz and Christmas became intertwined

While Christmas is not exclusively dedicated to jazz music, the two are strongly associated because many of the most popular secular holiday standards originated during the jazz and big band era of the 1940s and 1950s.

The historical connection

• A new wave of music

Before the mid-20th century, Christmas music was largely religious. In the U.S, as jazz and big band music gained popularity, composers began writing new, secular holiday tunes that reflected the sound of the time.

A lot of these songs were written around the 1940s, often for Broadway plays or movie musicals (the most popular form of cinema at the time). At that time, when a song became popular, everyone and their brother recorded their own version. So given the timing, it was only natural that these songs all got pulled into the jazz repertoire.

One may wonder the reason these songs from this era became Christmas standards, and not others from either earlier or later? Well, a lot of the most productive composers of that era — Irving Berlin ( White Christmas- 1942), Mel Tormé ( The Christmas Song -1945), Felix Bernard (Winter Wonderland -1934), and others — were Jewish. As a result, these songs tend to have more secular themes.

Most of the songs focused on ‘snow’, ‘trees’ and ‘roasting chestnuts’, not so many about Jesus, angels or salvation. Some of the songs do not even mention Christmas. For a lot of people, it was more fun to be told to go run outside and play in the snow than to fall on your knees to witness the coming of Christ. Consequently the songs from this specific era have remained popular and generally accepted.

• The rise of standards & influence of legendary artistes

A large number of the most popular secular Christmas songs, such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Christmas Song,” were written in the 1940s and 1950s. This was also the peak era for Big Band and vocal jazz music. Iconic jazz and pop singers & musicians, including Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, recorded their own versions of these holiday tunes, cementing a jazz sound as the standard for many Christmas songs.

• The Charlie Brown effect

In 1965, the television special A Charlie Brown Christmas introduced a jazz soundtrack by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. The score was an instant hit and helped solidify the association between Christmas and jazz for a new generation.

Why does Jazz have such a special connection to Christmas?

• Nostalgia and tradition – Many classic Jazz standards have become synonymous with the holiday season. Think of the timeless melodies and soulful vocals that evoke memories of cozy winter nights, a sense of nostalgia, warmth and celebration, making it a natural fit for the holiday season.
• Sophisticated and stylish – Jazz’s sophisticated sound pairs perfectly with the elegance and refinement often associated with Christmas celebrations. A typical example of this quality is found in the Christmas albums of Nat King Cole. His velvety baritone voice and sophisticated delivery on Christmas standards such as “The Christmas song” and “O Tannenbaum” are a delight to listen to during the Christmas season.
• Improvisation and joy – Just like the unexpected surprises and joyful moments of the holiday season, jazz thrives on improvisation and spontaneity.
• Secular themes – Many of the most popular jazz-influenced Christmas songs, such as “White Christmas” and “The Christmas Song” focus on themes of snow and holiday cheer rather than religion. This makes them widely appealing to diverse audiences.

The modern popularity of Christmas jazz

Thanks to its history, the sound of jazz continues to influence modern holiday music. Many current artists, such as Michael Bublé and John Legend, release holiday albums in a style that draws heavily from the jazz tradition. The enduring popularity of the genre means that jazz holiday music is a staple on radio stations, in shopping malls, banking halls, elevators and at parties throughout November and December.

In conclusion while jazz has a strong holiday presence, Christmas music is a vast genre that includes many other styles. Jazz is just one of many genres of Christmas music. In modern times Christmas songs come in several formats, including Classical and choral music, Pop and R&B, Folk and Rock.

I just have a small favour to ask and in doing so, I think I speak for others in most parts of sub-saharan Africa – Could we replace words like “Chestnuts” with “Peanuts”, “Jack frost” with “harmattan fog” and every mention of “winter” with “cold dust” which form the lyrics of our popular Christmas standards. The reason for this is obvious. While you consider this favour, I would like you to “Have yourself a Merry little Christmas”.

>>>Me & My Jazz are the weekly musings of Jazz Singer & Jazz Radio Host, Yomi Sower. Her programme Maximum Jazz airs on Saturdays 4-7PM on Ghana’s Guide Radio 91.5FM. She is a Professional Voice Coach also offering Vocal Jazz Tuition @YomiSower -Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X  and E- mail: [email protected]

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