We Free Kings – Classic Jazz Christmas Cuts, 1956-61

A painstakingly assembled set of classic Christmas-themed jazz performances, this spectrum-spanning set goes from straight ahead and modern into hard bop some appearing on CD for the very first time, all of it breathtaking in its impeccable execution and communicative beauty. Populated by a whos who of mid-century masters, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Roland Kirk, familiar holiday fare is re-introduced and re-defined into dazzling new artistic contours that reflect a spontaneously crafted musical expression which elevates each track here. This is Christmas at its coolest, deep and crisp and even, and whether its Dave Brubecks well-chilled, kicked back Santa Claus is Coming to Town or Miles Davis and Bob Doroughs magnificently skewed meditation Blue Christmas (To Whom It May Concern), its pure comfort and joy from start to finish.