Wondering what to get that jazz fan in your life? Or thinking of treating yourself to a tasteful little present this holiday? After all, we know that you've been nice, and not naughty – or at least we hope that's the case. We don't pretend to be as omniscient as Santa. Here's a sample of some of the season's most superlative offerings of new and historic jazz recordings and books. We'll start with a collection of Christmas songs by one of the best big bands in the history of the genre and highlight a few offerings shedding light on two gentlemen born 100 years ago who were vital to the development of 20th century music.
Biographies on the lives of founding fathers have become popular among a certain echelon of parents and grandparents in recent years. Since David McCullough's work on the life of John Adams, the genre has proved to have staying power among the armchair, sweatered set. But what happens when one of these tomes falls into the hands of a Tony-award winning songwriter and playwright?
If the playwright is Lin-Manuel Miranda and the book is Ron Chernow's "Alexander Hamilton," you get a rap and hip-hop-infused take on the life of one America's least-remembered yet most influential founding fathers. The musical follows the young Hamilton's career — from his days as aide de camp to George Washington up until his famous death. Miranda plays the title role and has composed a diverse cast that he says, "looks like America looks now."
