God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

The 1961 Capitol Records recording of Christmas music was a smash hit for the Stan Kenton Orchestra. It contained arrangements by Kenton and mostly Ralph Carmichael of traditional Christmas music. This arrangement of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen by Ralph Carmichael is one of the jazzier ones on the album. It swings like crazy! The original arrangements were written for 4 trumpets, 4 mellophoniums, 4 trombones, tuba, keyboard, bass, drums and auxiliary percussion. Optional saxophone parts which take the place of the mellophonium parts are included. They work quite well! From Kenton's "Merry Christmas!" recording.