I’ll Be Home For Christmas

By Thomas Gunther

November 12, 2023

Christmas Music, Latin Piano, Solo Piano Arrangements

About my Solo Piano Arrangement of "I'll Be Home For Christmas"

I arranged it with a jazz-Latin feel inspired by Camila Cabello’s version. The carefully crafted sheet music includes jazz chord symbols, fingering suggestions and sustain pedal markings. The jazz chord symbols are great for those who like to study the harmonies to add their own ideas based on those chords.

When I first started arranging solo piano, I wondered how to craft a Latin groove underneath a melody. So I studied bossa, samba, and Cuban music by carefully listening to the rhythm section instruments. I discovered that rumba is a great style to begin with, and it also forms the foundation for this arrangement.

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About the song "I'll Be Home For Christmas"

I have a very special connection to this song. I first heard it after moving to the United States from Germany and spending my first Christmas in Chicago. On that Christmas Eve, I was all alone for the first time, and when I turned on the radio, this song came on. I don't typically cry easily, but that was one of those moments when the floodgates just open. It is such a sentimental song. And the closing lyrics "I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams" are just so emotional.

More Christmas Songs

About the author

Thomas Gunther, also known as Thommy Günther in Germany, is a highly versatile jazz pianist, keyboardist, music producer, and educator with international recognition. He was born and raised in Germany, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Performing Jazz and Popular Music from the State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart.

After relocating to Chicago, Thomas quickly became the principal pianist for the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, which is directed by the esteemed music arranger and composer William Russo. In this role, he had the opportunity to collaborate with renowned artists such as Randy Brecker, Body DiFranco, Archie Shepp, Jon Faddis, Cassandra Wilson, and Orbert Davis.

Currently, Thomas is an integral part of the Chicago music scene, performing with various groups both as a sideman and as a leader. He heads the Thomas Gunther Trio Plus and has toured Germany with the Thomas Gunther’s Taste Of Chicago Band. In addition to his performance career, he has produced, arranged, and recorded a substantial body of work, serving both in leadership roles and as a collaborator.

Thomas also provides music arranging and orchestration services for ensembles of all sizes, including contributions to the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. As an educator, he shares his expertise as an Adjunct Professor at Columbia College Chicago. For more information about Thomas, visit https://www.ThomasGunther.com.