Electrify your Christmas music mix with some Hammond organ sounds! Jimmy Smith originally was a pianist and later became an organist in the early 50’s. Smith signed on with Verve Records in the 60’s and had the opportunity to collaborate with the great Lalo Schifrin and Wes Montgomery. Don’t be mistaken; Jimmy Smith’s style is not your typical funeral or church organ music. His jazz tempo is much more lively on the electric organ, which later became more popular due to his new style – fast paced and be-boppin’.

Jimmy Smith’s album, Christmas 64, has recognizable Christmas songs with a Hammond organ twist. Smith’s fast fingers rip through the organ – adding spice to songs like Jingle Bells, We Three Kings and The Christmas Song. One of my favorite songs is White Christmas. It slowly begins with some brass instrument and transitions into percussions. As you patiently listen, you’ll soon recognize the Hammond organ sneak into the rhythm of the song.

Turn up Christmas 64 as you mingle with friends and family this holiday season, sipping that delicious glass of eggnog (spiked with rum perhaps?).

Lady’s and gentlemen, grab your partner, cause it’s time for some be-boppin’!

Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross are three jazz vocalists that formed in 1957. The trio unfortunately were not active for many years and ended their trio in 1962. Though, Ross was replaced Yolande Bavan in 1962 and continued through 1964. The trio have strong and powerful vocals that flow well with jazzy Big Band music. The lyrics are fun, unique and offer a great beat for dancing with the one you love.

Listen to some samples from Amazon. I highly recommend Main Stem, Caravan and Twist City. Get the music goin’ and your feet tappin’! Also available on Spotify.

Shot by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond as a modern re-imagining of early silent film, LOUIS is an homage to Louis Armstrong, Charlie Chaplin, beautiful women and the birth of American music. The grand Storyville bordellos, alleys and cemeteries of 1907 New Orleans provide a backdrop of lust, blood and magic for 6 year old Louis (Anthony Coleman) as he navigates the colorful intricacies of life in the city. Young Louis’s dreams of playing the trumpet are interrupted by a chance meeting with a beautiful and vulnerable girl named Grace (Lowry) and her baby, Jasmine. Haley, in a performance reminiscent of the great comic stars of the silent screen, plays the evil Judge Perry who is determined not to let Jasmine’s true heritage derail his candidacy for governor.

Count Basie had been performing different jazz styles from the early 30’s to the late 70’s. There were many performances that included vocalists during the early 60’s to gain more attraction. But it was in the late 60’s when Basie returned to a more standard jazz format. After 30 years, he created two great recording sessions that were at the top of the charts – Broadway…Basie’s Way and Hollywood…Basie’s Way.

Both albums pack so much power and groove, they should be included in every cocktail party compilation. Some of my favorites to get a taste of Basie are, A Lot Of Livin’ To Do and On The Street Where You Live from the Broadway session; Secret Love and Foggy Day from the Hollywood session. Both albums were originally produced as separate vinyl recordings, but can now be found as one compilation.

Basie brought back rhythm and beat with a swing!

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During the late 50′s, a new jazz style and genre evolved from Brazil. Bossa Nova became a mixture of cool jazz and samba, which was particular to Brazilian culture, dance and music. Musical artists such as Antonio Carlo Jobim and Joan Gilberto were known for creating this new style. The 60′s became a catapult for the new popular genre that we now recognize as a standard.

One particular compilation I found is from an Italian musician, Nicola Conte, who’s style of music is influenced by none other, Bossa Nova. Conte’s musical style is not usually recognized unless seen on TV commercials, like Jet Sounds, from his Bossa Per Due album. Conte compiled some of his most influential musicians into Nicola Conte Presents Viagem. This album has many unique artists that I’ve never heard of. It became a great addition to my collection.

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For those of you who missed the first show, the next Swank Pack Show is due on July 2 at the Pasadena Jazz Institute in California. Tickets start at $20 if you book in advance. For more information and bookings, visit pasjazz.org.

Straight from their smash opening on June 4, Douglas Roegiers and Dave Cox are back to dazzle and enchant with their classic brand of musical and magical entertainment, this time with special guest, LA’s jazz diva deluxe, Suzy Williams. Taking their cues from the swinging big bands and the crooning Rat Pack, Roegiers and his band perform numbers taken right out of the Great American Songbook in a manner of which Sinatra himself would be proud. Likewise, Cox delights audiences with his unique style of comedy and magic. In short, the Swank Pack delivers an old school, Las Vegas-style variety show, the likes of which one would be hard-pressed to find even in Las Vegas nowadays.