Jimmy McGriff - Christmas With McGriff (1996) Recorded in 1963

This funky little holiday gem from 1964 was originally released on Sue Records and was actually Jimmy McGriff's highest charting album, rising to number 15 on the pop charts that year. Naturally his gritty Hammond B-3 playing is front and center here, given wonderful support by drummer Jimmie Smith, guitarist Larry Frazier, and Rudolph Johnson on soprano and tenor saxophone. The whole affair is surprisingly energetic and spunky, and tracks like the hard-charging "Christmas With McGriff," the sleigh bell-embedded "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," and the lively "Hip Santa" are all wonderful examples of upbeat soul jazz. Even the version of "Jingle Bells" that closes the set is funked up, riding a chugging rhythm and a bed of sleigh bells into the yuletide night. McGriff could have easily gone through the motions on this holiday session, and that he obviously didn't makes Christmas With Jimmy McGriff even more endearing.

Jimmy McGriff - Hammond Organ
Larry Frazier - Rhythm Guitar
Rudolph Johnson - Saxophone
Willie "Saint" Jenkins - Drums

Tracklist:

01. White Christmas (3:20)
02. Christmas with Jimmy McGriff (5:56)
03. I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus (6:41)
04. Hip Santa (3:09)
05. Winter Wonderland (5:16)
06. Santa Claus is coming to town (3:37)
07. Rudolp the red nosed reindeer (5:01)
08. Jingle bells (3:34)