Jazz to Enjoy in Winter: Masterpieces and Legendary Performances Beyond Just Christmas Songs [2026]
When it comes to jazz that suits the winter season, many people think of the various beloved classics that are cherished as Christmas songs.
And because the nights are long, it’s a season that pairs well with introspective tracks you’ll want to listen to closely.
In addition to standard numbers, jazz-style arrangements of famous Christmas songs are also popular.
In this article, we’ll cover those staple Christmas tunes while also picking out jazz numbers recommended for winter.
From pieces that explicitly take winter as their theme, to numbers perfect for solitary reflection, and even cheerful tracks that make you forget the cold, we’ll include original songs by rising young artists who have been attracting attention in recent years!
Playlist
| Jazz to Enjoy in Winter: Masterpieces and Legendary Performances Beyond Just Christmas Songs [2026] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | Linus And LucyVince Guaraldi Trio |  play_arrow | A classic jazz number about peanuts |
| 2east | Turn On The LightsJamie Cullum |  play_arrow | Music that portrays the hope and joy of Christmas |
| 3east | Warm DecemberSamara Joy |  play_arrow | Samara Joy captivates with jazz |
| 4east | WintertimeNorah Jones |  play_arrow | Christmas songs, the charm of Norah Jones |
| 5east | Keep OnAlfa Mist |  play_arrow | Introspective music by a London-based pianist |
| 6east | WinterChip Wickham |  play_arrow | A jazz masterpiece that depicts the winter’s silence |
| 7east | Nocturne (Interlude)Laufey |  play_arrow | Laufey’s piano piece: a time of silence and introspection |
| 8east | Stranger Than FictionMoses Boyd |  play_arrow | Innovative music fusing jazz and grime |
| 9east | December (ft. Andra Day)Robert Glasper Feat. PJ Morton, Sevyn Streeter |  play_arrow | The EP 'In December' that fuses jazz and R&B |
| 10east | RustYussef Dayes feat. Tom Misch |  play_arrow | Soothing jazz music to listen to on winter nights |
| 11east | Winter SongAvishai Cohen |  play_arrow | Jazz softly resonating on a winter night |
| 12east | Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!Dean Martin |  play_arrow | A classic Christmas song delightfully depicting snow |
| 13east | Winter of my DiscontentFred Hersch |  play_arrow | Moving masterpieces performed as piano solos |
| 14east | Christmas In New OrleansLouis Armstrong, Benny Carter And His Orchestra |  play_arrow | Armstrong’s classic Christmas jazz song |
| 15east | NightingaleMammal Hands |  play_arrow | Delicate, serene music of a jazz trio |
| 16east | Hunt Up WindFukumura Hiroshi with Watanabe Sadao |  play_arrow | A jazz collaboration album by Hiroshi Fukumura and Sadao Watanabe |
| 17east | Chilly Winds Don’t BlowNina Simone |  play_arrow | Nina Simone’s classic winter song, a heartwarming voice |
| 18east | SnowfallBeegie Adair |  play_arrow | A jazz pianist from Kentucky with an elegant tone |
| 19east | Seven Shades of SnowJune Bisantz |  play_arrow | A classic jazz piece depicting a snowy landscape, June Bisantz |
| 20east | SnowboundSarah Vaughan |  play_arrow | Christmas songs by Sarah Vaughan |
| 21east | Cozy NovemberEmmaline |  play_arrow | A warm piece that turns the late-autumn air into music |
| 22east | Better Than SnowLaufey & Norah Jones |  play_arrow | A Christmas duet song by a Grammy-winning singer |
| 23east | Bah HumbugPentatonix |  play_arrow | Introduction to Pentatonix's Christmas Songs |
| 24east | mother i’ll be latearon! |  play_arrow | A heartwarming fusion of jazz and pop music |
| 25east | Left AloneMal Waldron |  play_arrow | Waldron’s masterpiece that plays sorrow and solitude |
| 26east | When You Wish Upon a StarKeith Jarrett |  play_arrow | Get a Christmas vibe with Pinocchio’s classic, When You Wish Upon a Star. |
| 27east | The Nearness of YouNorah Jones |  play_arrow | A classic that portrays happy times, beloved by many |
| 28east | Holly Jolly ChristmasMichael Bublé |  play_arrow | Jazz arrangement of Christmas songs |
| 29east | BeatriceSam Rivers |  play_arrow | A heartwarming winter day colored by slow jazz |
| 30east | Stella By StarlightMiles Davis |  play_arrow | Melodies of the stars, from film scores to masterpieces |
| 31east | Someday My Prince Will ComeBill Evans |  play_arrow | Bill Evans's impressive jazz performance |
| 32east | Blue MoonBillie Holiday |  play_arrow | An emotionally moving jazz vocal filled with deep feeling |
| 33east | Cinema ParadisoCharlie Haden & Pat Metheny |  play_arrow | Winter jazz, the melancholic Pat Metheny |
| 34east | My Favorite ThingsJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | A wistful jazz classic resonates through a winter bar. |
| 35east | Love To Keep Me WarmLaufey & dodie |  play_arrow | A song that warms with love in the winter cold |
| 36east | My Funny ValentineMiles Davis |  play_arrow | A classic jazz love song to listen to in winter |
| 37east | Exactly Like YouNat King Cole |  play_arrow | A winter song that conveys family love and warmth |
| 38east | CandyLee Morgan |  play_arrow | Christmas, jazz, and sweet love songs |
| 39east | Ascenseur pour l’échafaudMiles Davis |  play_arrow | Miles Davis, a masterpiece of film music |
| 40east | Social CallSamara Joy |  play_arrow | A captivating visit song with a jazz tune |
| 41east | Ruby, My DearThelonious Monk |  play_arrow | Thelonious Monk’s Winter Ballad |
| 42east | Like It IsYusef Lateef |  play_arrow | Yusef Lateef’s Original Jazz |
| 43east | You Must Believe In SpringBill Evans |  play_arrow | Singing of hope for spring after enduring the cold winter. |
| 44east | Skating in Central ParkBill Evans |  play_arrow | The jazz melody that plays the silence of winter |
| 45east | Winter MoonArt Pepper |  play_arrow | Art Pepper's sad saxophone performance |
| 46east | Winter Moon 1980Art Pepper |  play_arrow | On a winter night, the saxophone’s tone pierces the heart. |
| 47east | PensativaBenny Green |  play_arrow | A classic jazz album: a beautiful ballad that resonates on a winter night |
| 48east | The Days Of Wine And RosesBerndt Egerbladh Trio |  play_arrow | A masterful performance by the jazz pianist Egerblad |
| 49east | In My LifeBill Frisell |  play_arrow | Reinterpreting Beatles classics with a unique sound |
| 50east | I’ll Close My EyesBlue Mitchel |  play_arrow | A timeless jazz classic imbued with feeling, a melody that resonates in the heart. |
| 51east | Born to Be BlueChet Baker |  play_arrow | A vividly colored sad song that sings of an unfortunate upbringing |
| 52east | Time After TimeChet Baker |  play_arrow | A timeless love song, a heart-touching classic |
| 53east | Winter WonderlandChet Baker |  play_arrow | Classic Christmas songs, heartwarming masterpieces |
| 54east | “Homecoming” Jingle BellsDave Brubeck |  play_arrow | The classic Christmas song “Jingle Bells” |
| 55east | In a Sentimental MoodDexter Gordon |  play_arrow | Duke Ellington’s classic, rich in emotion |
| 56east | Makin’ WhoopeeDr. John · Rickie Lee Jones |  play_arrow | A jazzy classic that portrays mature romance |
| 57east | Cheek To CheekElla Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong |  play_arrow | The classic song 'Cheek To Cheek' by a major star in the jazz world |
| 58east | My Foolish HeartEthel Ennis |  play_arrow | Christmas love, sweet anxiety and anticipation |
| 59east | You’d Be So Nice To Come Home ToHelen Merrill |  play_arrow | A winter classic: a tale of love and a fireplace |
| 60east | Treize jours en FranceJoe Hisaishi |  play_arrow | A winter masterpiece by Joe Hisaishi that resonates with the heart. |
| 61east | GreensleevesJohn Coltrane |  play_arrow | A jazz arrangement depicting a winter heartbreak |
| 62east | For All We KnowKeith Jarrett & Charlie Haden |  play_arrow | Heartwarming jazz that echoes on a winter night |
| 63east | Soul LamentKenny Burrell |  play_arrow | A subdued jazz melody in the monotony of winter |
| 64east | Waiting on an AngelLisa Wahlandt, Sven Faller |  play_arrow | Christmas Jazz of Hope and Warmth |
| 65east | RamonaMasabumi Kikuchi |  play_arrow | Masabumi Kikuchi's jazz album “Hanamichi” |
| 66east | From WithinMichel Camilo |  play_arrow | Passionate Jazz by Michel Camilo |
| 67east | Twisted TrackNucleus |  play_arrow | A landmark album that pioneered 1970s jazz rock |
| 68east | If I Were a BellRoberta Donnay |  play_arrow | A perfect Davis classic for Christmas |
| 69east | When There Is No SunSun Ra |  play_arrow | Sun Ra's jazz is innovative. |
| 70east | Smoke Gets In Your EyesClifford Brown |  play_arrow | A classic song that compares the sorrow of heartbreak to smoke |
| 71east | Frosty The SnowmanElla Fitzgerald |  play_arrow | Ella’s Christmas song is a heartwarming classic. |
| 72east | A Foggy DayFrank Sinatra |  play_arrow | Love songs you want to listen to on a cold winter day |
| 73east | Little AbiMasabumi Kikuchi |  play_arrow | Masabumi Kikuchi’s famous ballad expressing his moving love for his daughter |
| 74east | Feeling GoodNina Simone |  play_arrow | Nina Simone, the sorceress of music |