Virtual Jam Session - "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

12/17/2021

Here is another holiday favorite from "Meet Me in St. Louis." It is lovely melody dominated by major 7th tonalities. The song form is AABA, 32 bars, so it is relatively easy to navigate.
In this particular arraignment, there is an extended intro section as the band gradually establishes the groove. And after 4 full choruses, there is a 4-bar vamp you can use to stretch out.

2 Comments

Konten Digital link

11/11/2025 01:03:27 am

What makes this arrangement of the holiday favorite from *“Meet Me in St. Louis”* unique in terms of structure, groove, and use of the extended intro section?

Admin

11/11/2025 07:13:35 am

The original song is brilliant in terms of melody, and harmonic progression. That allows it to be timeless, working in an infinite variety of styles. Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane wrote this for a 1944 debut.

Blane died in 1995 and Martin died in 2011. So both of them were probably familiar with the smooth jazz / hip-hop style that is represented here. I'd like to think they would be very pleased to heard their wonderful song played in so many different ways.

I do like the extended intro. It is like cats in a room, with one saying "check this out", and another saying "I see you" and joining the same groove.

Urban Renewal Jazz notes

Virtual Jam Session - "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

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