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Christmas Dance Playlist

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:14 am
by turin
I've been asked to Dj a christmas dance, and don't know many quality swing songs that also fit into the Christmas song category. So, I thought I'd ask the best and get some ideas.

What's going on your list?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:28 pm
by lipi
i don't have my library handy right now, but i'll try to post something tonight. the only thing that comes to mind immediately is ella's xmas album (she recorded two, but only one has danceable tunes).

in the mean time, check jesse's latest podcast. he covers his favourite xmas tracks.

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:42 pm
by turin
I need more!! More!

Seriously though, I suck at finding music. :?

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:53 pm
by dancin_hanson
"Cool Yule" - Louis Armstrong
"Stay a Little Longer, Santa" - Shemekia Copeland

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:57 pm
by russell

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:47 pm
by Toon Town Dave
A word of advice: just because it's a Christmas dance doesn't mean you need to play mostly Christmas songs.

Phrased another way, play a few Christmas songs but don't go overboard. Play tunes you might play any time of year if they didn't refer to Christmas or have a recognizable x-mas tune melody.

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:00 pm
by Campus Five
There is rather small amount of great, danceable swing christmas music, excluding post '45 stuff. There's plenty of traditional swing x-mas tunes, but many of them are ballads, or are cartoon-y/showtune-y (with that kind of manic boom-chic that doesn't really swing).
Most of the stuff that has been mentioned is pretty groovy, and I think there is very, very little traditional swing christmas stuff that really works for dancing. There definitely is no single CD I have found.

Goodman's "Jingle Bells"
Oh, and the middle section of "Happy Holidays" by Bing/Andrews Sisters - the part about "Holiday Inn" - is pretty jumpin' for christmas. Unfortunately its sandwiched between the slow part.

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:50 pm
by Eyeball
Two over looked versions of SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN -

Woody Herman circa 1943

King Sisters - circa 1941

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:40 am
by zzzzoom
Louis Armstrong - Zat you, Santa Claus?
Nat King Cole - All I Want for Christmas
Lionel Hampton - Boogie Woogie Santa Claus
Eartha Kit - Santa Baby
Fats Waller - Swingin' Them Jingle Bells
Ralph Flanagan - Winter Wonderland
Benny Goodman - Winter Weather


And I agree that one or two of these a night is sufficient. Less is more.
:wink:

Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:50 am
by Eyeball
Christmas Night in Harlem - Jack Teagarden with Ben Pollack orchestra, IIRC

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 6:53 am
by la musette
Just go out and buy Jessica Simpson's Christmas album. Oh yeah it is sooo good. She is SUCH a good singer. My favorite for sure. Uh huh.

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 12:19 pm
by Albert System
Boogie Woogie Santa Claus- Lionel Hampton

Christmas Time New ORleans- Louis Armstrong

Christmas Time in Harlem- Louis Armstrong

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm- Billie Holiday w/ Teddy Wilson

Posted: Sat Dec 09, 2006 7:18 pm
by russell
Check out "Santas Secret" by Johnny Guarnieri and Slam Stewart (on iTunes - in Australia at least). Santa has a secret habit :shock:

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 8:03 pm
by Surreal
Some random ones:
Winter Weather - Peters Drury Quartet
I Believe - Frank Sinatra
And of course the highly inappropriate: Below Me It's Christmas - HB Radke

Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 6:17 pm
by Toon Town Dave
Just heard: Dixieland Band From Santa Claus Land - Jimmy Dorsey