Georgia Cécile is at Ronnie Scott’s [www.georgiacecile.com]

CHRISTMAS and jazz have long been snug bedfellows, with classic albums such as Ella Fitzgerald’s Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas (Verve) from 1960, Jimmy McGriff’s 1963 offering McGriff’s Christmas (Sue Records) and fellow organist Jimmy Smith’s Christmas ’64 on Blue Note a year later. They have come thick and fast every year since then. Why?

Well, apart from the fact that there is always a dollar to be made at Yuletide, as pianist Gabriel Latchin (who has his own Xmas record) points out, the evergreen tunes from the 1930s onwards were often written by the same composers who created the Great American Songbook, which provides jazz with so many of its standards. Hence the key and chord changes in Christmas standards often make enticing improvisational vehicles and offer myriad vocal interpretations.

And it’s not only on record – live concerts of jazzy Xmas favourites fill the gig schedules over the coming weeks. Here is a hip handful to consider.

The Hampstead Jazz Club deserts it basement at the Duke Of Hamilton and takes up residence in The Parish Church of St John-at-Hampstead (Church Row, NW3 6UU) for December 14 only. On offer is a “Soulful Jazzy Christmas” featuring the Corinne Bailey Rae-like vocals of Jordan Jackson. She is backed by drums, bass, guitar and a horn section and in previous years it has sounded fabulous (and sold out quickly, so get your tickets now). Details: hampsteadjazzclub.com/whats-on/jazzy-christmas-14-dec-2024/

Emma Smith is at Pizza Express Soho

The very accomplished Glaswegian singer Georgia Cécile is at Ronnie Scott’s on December 11 and 23, although again tickets are shifting fast – the earlier date was recently added “due to popular demand”. She has a cracking band behind her, including Mark Kavuma on trumpet and Alex Harper on sax. Tickets: www.ronniescotts.co.uk

The ebullient and ever entertaining Emma Smith has a series of Christmas Party Jazz Lunches at the Pizza Express Soho between December 2 and 6. Pianist Chris Ingham’s trio, Pizza regulars, accompany her here. Tickets: www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/emma-smith-with-the-chris-ingham-trio

She also has her other Xmas show, Snowbound (also the title of her album) at the Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zedel on December 19 (two shows), this time with Jamie Safir on piano. Emma and Jamie’s pal Ian Shaw is in residence the next two nights, Dec 20 and 21, with his Shaw Shimmers into Christmas one-man show. Details of all gigs: https://www.brasseriezedel.com/calendar

Ian Shaw also appears on the bill of trumpeter and ace arranger Guy Barker’s Big Band Christmas at the Albert Hall. Always a Xmas cracker full of surprises, it features Shaw plus Paloma Faith, Tony Momrelle and Vanessa Haynes and Barker’s fresh take on the festive repertoire. This one is on December 19, more on www.royalalberthall.com/

Over in the east, 91 Living Room in Brick Lane is also rolling out the Xmas tunes, with a special “Christmas Jazz Lunch” every Saturday and Sunday up to December 22. There’ll be two sets from the house band and prices start at £35 for two courses and the live music. See: https://91livingroom.com/menu/christmas-jazz-lunch-menu/
Alfie’s in Greek Street in Soho is nominally a member’s club (£35pa for it and other venues like The Piano Bar), although the public are admitted if they have tickets for its show.

It has a series of Xmas concerts, including several with sax man Reiss-Ellis Bickles (December 4, 5 and 6), Aussie singer Louise Messenger (Dec 6), a Soho Christmas Jazz Jam led by drummer Callum Smith (on Dec 11 with guests on Dec 18 edition TBC) and a New Orleans-style Christmas with trumpeter John Bauer (Dec 13). More on: https://info.soho.live/alfies