A Very Jam Band Christmas [Video Playlist]

This just might be the only Christmas music worth listening to, jam band-style…

1. Grateful Dead – “Run Rudolph Run” (1971) – Pigpen at his finest, dusting off this Chuck Berry classic.

Grateful Dead – “Run Rudolph Run” (Chuck Berry) – 12/7/71

2. Leon Russell – “Slippin’ Into Christmas” (1972) – An original Russell tune, brought to life with Jerry & Phil on hand.

Leon Russell – “Slippin’ Into Christmas” (1972)

3. Jerry Garcia Band – “Jingle Bells” (1975) – Pianist Nicky Hopkins takes the lead on some holiday cheer at this JGB show.

Jerry Garcia Band – “Jingle Bells” – 12/20/75

4. Blues Traveler – “Christmas” (1997) – Check out the Phishy surprise in the middle of this tune.

Blues Traveler – “Christmas” (1997)

5. Moe – “Carol of the Bells” (2002) – From Seasons Greetings, a full album of Christmas-themed tunes.

moe. – “Carol of the Bells”

6. Drive-By Truckers – “Mrs. Claus’ Kimono” (2002) – A fun track about an elf trying to have an affair with Mrs. Claus.

Drive-By Truckers – “Mrs. Claus’ Kimono”

7. ALO – “Christmas Time” (2006) – A nice jam band Christmas tune.

ALO – “Christmas Time” – 12/29/06

8. Umphrey’s McGee – “Dick In A Box” (2006) – Easily one of the best Christmas tunes of the 21st century/ever.

Umphrey’s McGee – “Dick In A Box” (The Lonely Island) – 12/31/06

9. Bela Fleck & The Flecktones – “Christmas Time” and “Linus & Lucy” (2009) – Exquisite musicianship powers these Christmas classics.

Bela Fleck & The Flecktones – “Christmas Time”, “Linus & Lucy” – 12/12/09

10. Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger (Umphrey’s McGee) – “Happy Christmas” With Chicago Children’s Choir (2010) – A yuletide spectacle from Brendan and Jake’s annual Holiday show in 2010.

Brendan Bayliss & Jake Cinninger ft. Chicago Children’s Choir – “Happy Christmas” – 12/4/10

11. John Bell (Widespread Panic) plays “Milk and Cookies” (Ribs & Whiskey) (2010) – A playful rendition of “Ribs & Whiskey,” thematically appropriate.

John Bell – “Ribs & Whiskey” (Milk & Cookies) – Christmas Jam 2010

12. Phish Plays “Little Drummer Boy” Into “Twist” (2012) – Not the first time Phish has teased the Christmas tune, but certainly one of the most memorable.

Phish – “Little Drummer Boy”/”Twist” – 12/28/12

13. Trey Anastasio Band – Nutcracker (2014) – Watch Natalie Cressman show off her ballet moves to this timeless tune, performed at the Beacon Theatre during the band’s 2014 fall tour.

Trey Anastasio Band – Natalie Cressman Dances To “The Nutcracker” – 2014

[Originally published 12/24/14]