Simply Christmas

by Leslie Odom, Jr.

Overview

Simply Christmas is the first holiday album from show biz triple threat Leslie Odom, Jr. It appears just three months after the S-Curve release of his reworked solo debut, Leslie Odom, Jr., which in turn arrived a year after the TV actor, singer, and stage performer originated the role of Aaron Burr in the Broadway smash Hamilton: An American Musical. Though fans of the chart-topping cast album certainly aren't excluded here, Simply Christmas should especially please admirers of his jazz-styled eponymous album, as he presents similarly elegant versions of seasonal favorites ranging from Schubert's "Ave Maria" to 2008's "Winter Song" by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson. Arranged mainly for piano throughout, with bass, drums, acoustic guitar, and rare keyboards and trombone, it's got small dinner parties and nostalgic winter evenings in front of the fireplace in mind. He and his accompaniment manage to make moving renditions of overplayed tunes such as "The First Noel." They do so with restrained performances that showcase the singer's interpretive ability, which honors a consistently wistful tone over grandstanding. Even knowledgeable jazz audiences needn't wince at seeing "My Favorite Things" on the track list; Odom's refined take on the oft-covered show tune-turned-jazz standard features a piano solo by Tommy King that's the most vibrant moment in a rendition that simmers with longing. Later, a light touch by vocals, bass, and acoustic guitar makes for an equally poignant version of the Carpenters' "Merry Christmas Darling." On record saying that he made Simply Christmas after getting requests for a Christmas album "a few times a week," Odom may need to brace himself for ongoing harassment after this exquisite set. ~ Marcy Donelson

Product Details

Release Date:	12/01/2017
Label:	S-Curve
UPC:	0190296938641
Rank:	54372

Tracks

1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
2. First Noel
3. My Favorite Things
4. I'll Be Home for Christmas
5. The Christmas Song
6. Merry Christmas Darling
7. Winter Song
8. Ave Maria

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Leslie Odom, Jr.   Primary Artist,Vocals
Steve Kujala   Flute
Jeff Driskill   Clarinet,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor)
Annastasia Victory   Piano
Curt Bisquera   Drums
Mark McLean   Drums
Jamie Hovorka   Trumpet
Alex Budman   Clarinet
Reggie Hamilton   Bass
Sal Lozano   Flute,Saxophone,Sax (Alto)
Tommy King   Piano
Orlando le Fleming   Bass,Double Bass,Guitar (Bass),Bass (Upright)
Roy Dunlap   Keyboards
Andrew Synowiec   Guitar
Greg Huckins   Clarinet,Sax (Baritone)
John Beasley   Piano
Willie Murillo   Trumpet
Charlie Morillas   Trombone
Dezron Douglas   Double Bass,Bass (Upright)
Mike Rocha   Trumpet
Nicolette Robinson   Featured Artist
John Davis   Drums
Juliane Gralle   Trombone
Steven Walker   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Senfaub Stoney   Percussion
Matthew Bumgardner   Trombone
Jacques Voyemont   Trombone
Michael Mitchell   Keyboards
Senfu Stoney   Percussion

Technical Credits

Michael McElroy   Arranger
Hugh Martin   Composer
Chris Gehringer   Mastering Engineer
Kim Gannon   Composer
Johnny Nice   Engineer
Rob Mathes   Arranger,Horn Arrangements
Jule Styne   Composer
Mel Torme   Composer
Richard Carpenter   Composer
Sara Bareilles   Composer
Ingrid Michaelson   Composer
Bob Wells   Composer
Buck Ram   Composer
Franz Schubert   Composer
Walter Kent   Composer
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
Charles Brown   Composer
Richard Rodgers   Composer
Pete Townshend   Composer
Ralph Blane   Composer
Sammy Cahn   Composer
Frank Pooler   Composer
Nate Jensen   Design
Rob Howard   Cover Photo
Alba Quezada   Dialect Coach
Leslie Odom, Jr.   Composer
Yosimar Gomez   Engineer
Jordan Purvis   Mixing,Engineer,Recording,Mixing Engineer,Assistant Producer,Digital Recording Engineer
Joseph Abate   Producer
Jiro Tcholakian   Photography
Alec Macdonald   Design Assistant
Gene Redd   Composer