Christmas Favorites: Playlist Picks from Denver Brass Musicians
Looking for the perfect Christmas playlist? Click here to find and follow us on Spotify and listen to all of our personal holiday favorites from Bing Crosby to Mannheim Steamroller!
Spotify Playlist highlights and interesting facts:
Becky Wilkins’ favorite Christmas song, Christmas Eve/Sarajevo by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, describes a lone cellist playing a forgotten Christmas carol in war-torn Sarajevo. Paul O'Neill explained that the cello player returned home in the height of the Bosnian War and decided to climb on top of a pile of rubble in what once was the town center and play Christmas carols. He aimed to prove that despite the attempted self-destruction of his people in a time of gruesome civil war, that the spirit of humanity was still alive and needed to be acknowledged.
Some groups like Mannheim Steamroller (O Come, O Come Emanuel picked by Warren Deck and Pat a Pan picked by Susan McCullough) have become very well-known due largely to the success of their Christmas music, whereas other groups like First Call (Evening in December picked by Kaitlin McCarthy) had great success with Christmas music but then struggled to find popularity through their non-seasonal repertoire.
Who knew that the Barenaked Ladies made a Christmas Album that featured Sarah McLachlan? Well, Cami Kidwell-Dodge knows, and it’s one of her Christmas favorites!
Jeremy Van Hoy’s favorite Christmas song, Do They Know It’s Christmas?, is by Band Aid, a charity supergroup featuring mainly British and Irish musicians founded in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for anti-famine efforts in Ethiopia. This hit single was a great success and sold over two million copies around the globe, raising more than $24,000,000 and increasing Celebrity Diplomacy around the world.
One of Jenny Harvey’s favorite Christmas albums is Ella and Louis Christmas. Fun fact – for their first album together, Ella allowed Louis to choose the key for each song, which resulted in some truly incredible recordings that highlight her extensive range and virtuosity.
Be sure to check out our Christmas Cheer playlist as well to hear the Denver Brass versions of all of your favorite jingles! And don't forget to come hear your favorite Christmas carols performed live at Once Upon a Christmas, December 16 & 17 at the Newman Center. Click here to learn more about the concert and to buy tickets.
Check out who picked what below!
Kathy
The Star Carol - Tennessee Ernie Ford
Denver Brass’ O Holy Night
Jeff
The Christmas Song - Mel Torme
David
The Green Fields Of Amerikay – Paddy Glackin
"Salvation is Created" – Frank Erickson
O Magnum Mysterium – Morten Lauridsen
Matt
Jingle Bells? - Barbra Streisand
Believe - Josh Groban
You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch & Where Are You Christmas – The Grinch
Becky
Christmas Eve/ Sarajevo - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Somewhere in My Memory – John Williams
It Feels Like Christmas from Muppet Christmas Carol
Warren
O Come O Come Emanuel - Mannheim Steamroller
Dave Hanson’s Said the Brass Winds to the Drummer Boy
Jenny
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
Harry Connick Jr.’s Christmas album
Lauren
Andrews Sisters Christmas
Christmas with Anuna
Christmas with Maureen McGovern
N’Sync Home for Christmas!!!
A Chipmunk Christmas (1981 version ONLY)
Kaitlin
Evening in December- First Call
Carrie
The Man with all the Toys - Beach Boys
Santa Clause is Coming to Town - Chicago
Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
Cami
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings – Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan
Susan
Pat a Pan - Mannheim Steamroller
Jeremy
Do They Know It’s Christmas? - Band Aid.
Andy
Let it Snow - Harry Connick Jr
Becki Kaye
Where Are You Christmas – Faith Hill
White Winter Hymnal & Carol of the Bells – Pentatonix
Other Favorites
from DBHQ
Linus and Lucy & Christmas Time is Here – A Charlie Brown Christmas
Jingle Bells – Barry Manilow
All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
White Christmas – Bing Crosby