If you’ve been tuned in to WRTI lately, you know we’re already into the swing of the season. On our jazz broadcast, we’ve been sprinkling in plenty of Yuletide cheer — classics by the likes of Jimmy Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Kenny Burrell, and Nat King Cole.
There’s also a new batch of holiday jazz in the mix, including the bright young singer April Varner’s Winter Songs Vol. 2, and a five-song EP by trumpeter Jeremy Pelt called Christmas Interlude. The Christmas cheer will only keep ramping up in the days ahead; here are some highlights to listen for.
Friday, Dec. 19
The Bridge: At 10 p.m., Bobby Zankel joins J. Michael Harrison to chat about his upcoming birthday performance at Solar Myth on Dec. 21, which will feature his fellow alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, along with Sumi Tonooka on piano, Bryan Rogers on saxophone, Lee Smith on bass and Pheeroan akLaff on drums.
Saturday, Dec. 20
The Get Down, 6- 9 p.m.: Julian Booker will spin deep funk, soul and jazz holiday tracks.
Sunday, Dec. 21
Voices in Jazz, on HD-2 from 3-6 p.m., will find Bob Craig playing an array of holiday music — including Louis Armstrong’s reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”
Big Band Jazz will also feature an hour of holiday recordings, from 6-7 p.m.
Sunday Rotation, 8 p.m. to midnight: Hear a special holiday edition of The Late Set Radio Hour featuring an interview with, and music from, Samara Joy and the McLendon family plus holiday tracks by Gregory Porter & Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Lou Rawls, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Pearson.
Tuesday, Dec. 23
Evening Jazz: Tune in at 9 p.m. for the world premiere of Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite as performed by the Temple University Jazz Band, led by Terell Stafford.
Monday, Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve)
Tune in throughout Christmas Eve for a full plate of holiday music on WRTI. From the classic to the contemporary, Nicole Sweeney, Julian Booker and Josh Jackson will keep you in the holiday spirit. And don’t be late, because we’ll kick things off at 6 p.m. with a benediction from Louis Armstrong, “talking to all the kids all over the world” as he reads “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
Tuesday, Dec. 25 (Christmas)
Ho, Ho, Ho! It’s the big day, and what better time to revel in Christmas jazz? Hosts Nicole Sweeney, Julian Booker and Josh Jackson will be rummaging through their stockings for some of the best and merriest music that suits our cozy holiday.
Saturday, Dec. 27
The Get Down, 6-9 p.m.: Julian Booker features some of his favorite funky releases of 2025.
El Viaje, 9 p.m. to midnight: David Ortiz hosts his annual all holiday-themed episode, featuring salsa, Latin Jazz and traditional folkloric music of Puerto Rico celebrating the last weekend of the year.
Sunday, Dec. 28
Voices in Jazz on HD-2, 3-6 p.m.: Bob Craig spotlights vocal albums from 2025, including Kenny Barron’s Songbook, Christian McBride’s Without Further Ado, and Ledisi’s For Dinah.
Big Band Jazz: Tune in at 7 p.m. as Bob Craig spotlights some of his favorite big band albums of 2025.
Wednesday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve)
The Get Down, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.: Soundtrack your New Year’s Eve with a special midweek edition of The Get Down with Julian Booker.