Verve Presents: The Very Best Of Christmas Jazz CD

Louis Armstrong/Ella Fitzgeral Mel Torme/John Coltrane/B.Evan

Digitally remastered by Jeff Willens (Universal Mastering Studios-East).

Personnel: Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimmy Rushing, Joe Williams , John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, Mel Tormé, Shirley Horn, Billy Eckstine (vocals); Eddie Durham (guitar, trombone); Freddie Green, Kenny Burrell, Mark Whitfield, Quentin Warren, Carmen Mastren (guitar); Herschel Evans, Lester Young (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Jack Washington, Hymie Schertzer (alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Earle Warren, Jesse Davis (alto saxophone); Al Klink, Ron Blake (tenor saxophone); Seldon Powell (baritone saxophone); Roy Hargrove (trumpet, flugelhorn); Andrew Ferretti, Clark Terry, Carl Poole, Ed Lewis, Bob Moore , Joe Wilder, Billy Butterfield, Buck Clayton (trumpet); Don Sickler (flugelhorn); Phil Giardina, Jack Satterfield, George Hunt, Al Grey, Lou McGarity, Dan Minor, Cutty Cutshall (trombone); Charles Stepney (piano, organ); McCoy Tyner, Norman Simmons, Oscar Peterson, Ramsey Lewis, Bernie Leighton, Bill Evans (piano); Jimmy Smith (organ); Dennis Mackrel, Elvin Jones, Ed Grady, Jo Jones , Paul Motian, Redd Holt, Billy Drummond, Billy Hart, Morris Jennings (drums).

Recording information: Chicago, IL (08/09/1937-04/??/1996); Clinton Recording, New York, NY (08/09/1937-04/??/1996); Fine Recording. NYC (08/09/1937-04/??/1996); Giant Studios, New York, NY (08/09/1937-04/??/1996); London, England (08/09/1937-04/??/1996); Los Angeles, CA (08/09/1937-04/??/1996); MPS Studio, Villengen, Germany (08/09/1937-04/??/1996); New York, NY (08/09/1937-04/??/1996); Ter-Mar Recording Studios, Chicago, IL (08/09/1937-04/??/1996); Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (08/09/1937-04/??/1996); Webster Hall, New York, NY (08/09/1937-04/??/1996).

Arrangers: Don Sickler; Joe Williams ; Norman Simmons; Tutti Camarata; Frank de Vol; Wally Stott.

Compilation producers: Bryan Koniaz, Ben Young.

Entertainment Weekly (11/30/01, p.95) - "...For variety, talent, and surprises, you're not likely to find am ore entertaining jazz holiday CD..." - Rating: A-