From Remo to Ehsaan: Indian musicians share their playlist of Yuletide music

Salute to the OGRemo Fernandes composer singerLike most Goans or most Catholics in India I grew up on that classic Jim Reevesrsquo Christmas album Itrsquos always been a favourite at home But lately I have also been listening to Christmas stations on online radios such as Radio Tunes or to Christmas playlists on Spotify and through them Irsquove discovered a lot of beautiful carols old and new which are real gems and which I had never heard before Merry Christmas everyoneStick to the classicsEhsaan Noorani composer and guitaristA perennial favourite is Smiles and smiles to go by my favourite guitarist Larry Carlton This is not a Christmas song but its happy vibe fits any celebration Then there is Ella Fitzgeraldrsquos Sleigh ride and Eartha Kittrsquos Santa baby which is a tongueincheek take on a Christmas song that I love Of course Christmas is not complete without Frank Sinatra singing to you Have yourself a merry ChristmasFunking it upGino Banks drummerEver since I can remember in my house we would play a Christmas album by Jim Reeves It was a fantastic range of songs with a soothing voice I also love Vanessa Williamsrsquo Star bright that has a modern RampB orchestral arrangement with a jazz funk sensibility There is something old and nostalgic yet modern about themBreaking freeRhys Sebastian DrsquoSouza saxophonist Bombay BrassA popular choice for me is This Christmas by Donny Hathaway and The Christmas song by Nat King Cole They are beautiful compositions that take me back to the time when my mum Merlyn DrsquoSouza multiinstrumentalist and artiste and I would play them on the piano on Christmas Eve Peace round by Yellowjackets is an original take on the classic Most of the players in the band take a reflective approach in how they play It is soothing even if it sounds intenseJazz all the wayRhythm Shaw guitaristI listen to a lot of gospelbased jazz carols One is a personal collaboration with Anna Rakita mdash Amazing grace mdash which we created for Christmas last year Dallas Horns has created some beautiful Christmas albums There are Al Jarreaursquos Christmas specials that contain carols that have been harmonised and rearranged into a jazzy space Lofi and beholdRishaad Chaudhry rapper and songwriterThere is more to Christmas music than the traditional albums and singles I enjoy listening to lofi music during the holiday season by artists such as Powfu Sarcastic Sounds and Snoslashw The single Snowflake by Powfu is one of my most played singles I find comfort in the song as it resonates with a range of emotions I feel throughout the seasonStaple fareAditi Iyer singer and songwriterThis might sound clicheacute but I love All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey Irsquove known and sang that song since I was a little girl so it really sounds like Christmas to me I also like Jingle bell rock because itrsquos such a simple and infectious tune that everyone can enjoy Buble it upAabha Hanjura folk singer and musician The easy pick is Mariah Careyrsquos All I want for Christmas is you But the traditional choice of Jingle bell rock is a favourite For me the season is not complete without Michael Bublersquos Holly jolly Christmas Seasonal memoryRohan Solomon composer and producerTrying to remember the first time I heard Jingle bells is like trying to remember the first time I heard my name A few classic renditions I did with Bindu Subramanium or Kirstin and the Christmas original I released last year titled Itrsquos Christmas I love the Glee Christmas albums and both Christmas albums by Hanson A few singles that get you in the Christmas spirit are All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey and Itrsquos beginning to look a lot like Christmas by Michael Buble Interpreting merry melodiesRajeev Raja flautist and jazz artisteAlbums that look at jazz interpretations of the carols are something special If you look at all the great jazz musicians mdash Herbie Hancock and Chick Correarsquos Deck the halls or Rahsaan Roland Kirkrsquos We free kings are my favourite choices of all time As is Duke Ellingtonrsquos Jingle bells Kirkrsquos interpretation has an odd time signature that makes it a fascinating version