It’s time for the holidays, and that means it’s time for Christmas music. As all the convenience stores may try to tell you, there is more to this seasonal genre than just Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.” You may want to play songs with the family and don’t want to be too obvious in your choices.

For you punk lovers out there, let’s start out with some ska and Reel Big Fish’s “Little Drummer Boy.” This instrumental covers the old song with the same name. If you don’t know what ska is, you’re in for either a treat or the worst listening to experience in your life with this song, but in simple terms, it’s a mix of blues and jazz that originated around Jamaica with an off beat group dance feel. Still confused?  I’d recommend looking into music theorists breaking down songs, like 12 Tone on Youtube.

For a big band brass feel, a personal favorite, how about something a bit more modern? “A Very 1999 Christmas” by Jschlatt was published 2024, yet it really keeps to the originals it covers and keeps the 1990’s feeling thanks to Tom Scott—the producer, not the British Youtuber—who helped make  Jschlatt create a sound very similar to Frank Sinatra.

Meaning no insult to Louis Armstrong,  “Zat You, Santa Claus” is a great song, but the cover by Bear Ghost really brings the rock feel to the existing jazzy feel to make an amazing cover.

I’ll leave you guys with the surprise of a “Winter Wonderland”  cover by Cap’n Jazz. A tune I recommend for all you out there.

Happy Holidays and enjoy the music of the season.