Between 1988 an 1993 the now defunct label of Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen commonly known as GRP released a series of Christmas discs from various members of their jazz artists.  At the time, GRP was the main jazz label in the industry and was home to many popular artists. The collection was one of the first that featured a multitude of popular artist with traditional seasonal music. While many people purchased the discs to hear their favorite artist, they were also introduced to others they were unfamiliar with, and thus grew their interest.

The first disc has such classics as Tom Scott’s “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” David Benoit’s rendition of “Carol of the Bell,” “White Christmas” featuring Lee Ritenour and Special EFX on “Silent Night.”  Each artist brought something new to the songs they presented.

The success of the first disc spurned both Grusin and Rosin to produce a second release three years later with all new artists.  Nelson Rangell plays flute on the opening classic “Let It Snow.”  The late George Howard plays his soprano on “The First Noel” followed by an inspired version of “O Holy Night” by Carl Anderson.  Acoustic Alchemy plays a multiple part version of “The Earl of Salisbury’s Pavane” which I was unfamiliar with, but really enjoyed.  It’s interesting to hear Spyro Gyra on “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and Russ Freeman on “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”

The series was complete in 1993 when volume III was released with a mixture of previous artist as well as several new ones.  Tom Scott jazzed up a nice version of “Feliz Navidad,” while the Yellowjackets launched in to “Go Tell It on the Mountain.”  The highlight has to be Kim Pensyl’s resounding “Joy to the World” which is much orchestrated in its delivery.  There are a few other surprises here that I won’t tell you about as well.

It was kind of fun going back looking at those artists from that time period.  The great thing about discs like that is you have to pick up the disc to see who the next artist is as the song begins.  Some of your favorites may not even be from one of the more popular artists either.  These discs were my standard Christmas music for a long time because of the unique mix all three brought.  It’s a great snapshot of where jazz was at the time before it was divided up into the different groupings we have today.  You can still find them around in some of the record shops, or may be you have them put away with your Christmas “stuff.”  It would be a fun time to put one of them on and feel nostalgic over a Christmas long ago.

- Harvey Cline