JD Allen, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Review

JD Allen’s Elegant Rendition of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

by Ferell Aubre

JD Allen, a saxophonist with a gift for balancing tradition and innovation, has released “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in his latest release on Savant Records. This track is part of a series of seasonal offerings. Allen’s capacity to express his unique voice through familiar standards while remaining deeply rooted in jazz’s rich lineage can be heard in this classic rendition. The piece opens with Brandon McCune’s elegant solo piano intro, setting an intimate and reflective mood, before the full quartet joins in to bring a unique warmth to this cherished tune. Allen is joined by Ian Kenselaar on bass, Nic Cacioppo on drums, and McCune on piano—all collaborators well-versed in Allen’s approach to storytelling through music.

JD Allen is often described as a “visionary,” a term that feels apt when you consider his approach to this holiday classic. The quartet performs “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in a manner that conveys the simple seasonal sentiment into an emotionally nuanced journey. It’s all about the subtleties here—Allen’s tenor saxophone delivers the melody with thoughtful phrasing and understated embellishments, creating a version that captures the hope that the Sinatra lyrics evoke. The ensemble is at its best, laying a soft jazz ballad foundation for Allen’s relaxed delivery.

The core of Allen’s approach lies in his command of tone and texture. His saxophone resonates with a soulful, blues-inflected warmth that suggests the melancholy of Judy Garland’s original lyrics and the quiet hope of Frank Sinatra’s later lyric revisions. Garland’s version, first performed in the 1944 film Meet Me in St. Louis, carried a poignant sadness that was later softened by Sinatra in 1957 to make the song more uplifting, changing lyrics like ‘muddle through somehow’ to ‘hang a shining star upon the highest bough.’ It’s a delicate balance: Allen’s sound is intimate yet confident, providing a narrative arc even in this instrumental format. His improvisation doesn’t stray far from the core of the melody; instead, he shades it with subtle hues—bop phrases that curve like a gentle smile, blues lines that carry an echo of yearning. What stands out is his ability to convey the inherent duality of the piece, a sadness that never quite overwhelms the glow of hope.

The rhythm section—Kenselaar on bass and Cacioppo on drums—provides a perfect canvas for Allen’s expression. They establish a gentle, swinging groove that stays just behind the beat, creating an easygoing momentum. Kenselaar’s bass anchors the harmonic foundation, while Cacioppo’s brushes add a forward-moving and delicate texture, supporting McCune’s piano flourishes and Allen’s soft-edged tenor. Together, the quartet brings out the depth of this holiday tune, reminding listeners why it remains a favorite—a mix of nostalgia, tenderness, and an underlying resilience that speaks to the holiday spirit.

JD Allen’s rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is an interpretation steeped in emotional sentiment and musical insight. The quartet’s approach makes you feel as though you’re hearing the lyrics—not through words, but through the interplay of melody, harmony, and the emotional weight each musician brings to the performance. Whether you’re in the mood to hang a star upon the highest bough or simply muddle through somehow, Allen and his ensemble deliver a rendition that speaks to the season’s joy and underlying wistfulness.