Review: Warner Bros. Jazz Christmas Party

Warner Bros. gathered its jazz and contemporary jazz rosters to put together the label’s first holiday collection. But unlike other label holiday albums, Jazz Christmas Party doesn’t just feature submitted tracks from its artists. WB artists collaborated together on several songs on this album.

Bob James and Béla Fleck duet on “White Christmas.” Michael Franks and Kirk Whalum work together on Franks’ “I Bought You A Plastic Star For Your Aluminum Tree.” The constant on the release is the keys of the label’s big three pianists: Bob James, Brad Mehldau, and Larry Goldings. The songs aren’t exactly Christmas standards. Al Jarreau, Boney James, Bob James, and Larry Goldings perform on Kenny Loggins and Bob James‘s “Celebrate Me Home.” Kirk Whalum lays down his gospel sound on “A Cradle in Bethlehem.” New WB vocalist Gabriela Anders delivers a great debut on her original “Our First Christmas.”

The musicianship on the album is top-notch, from the headliners to the rhythm provided by James Genus, Larry Grenadier, Jorge Rossy, and Billy Kilson.

Warner Bros. Jazz Christmas Party is a seasonal album that all jazz fans will enjoy.

Tracks

• “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” — Joshua Redman
• “Celebrate Me Home” — Al Jarreau
• “A Cradle in Bethlehem” — Kirk Whalum
• “I Bought You A Plastic Star For Your Aluminum Tree” — Michael Franks
• “Our First Christmas” — Gabriela Anders
• “Silent Night” — Larry Goldings and Brad Mehldau
• “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” — Boney James
• “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” — Kevin Mahogany
• “Pure Imagination” — Mark Turner
• “Christmas Time Is Here” — Brad Mehldau Trio
• “Personent Hodie (Sing Aloud This Day)” — Bob James Trio
• “White Christmas” — Béla Fleck and Bob James

Note: Several musicians also appear on tracks other than those credited above.

Update 2026: Nearly three decades later, Warner Bros. Jazz Christmas Party has become something of a rarity. The original 1997 collection is out of print and can be difficult to find on today’s major streaming services, although individual tracks remain available in various places online.