Hot on the heels of her acclaimed Christmas duet with Gregory Porter (their version of the standard ‘What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve’ on GP’s new Christmas LP), acclaimed jazz singer SAMARA JOY has just launched her very own Christmas collection – ‘A Joyful Holiday’.
The set is a 6 track EP and is the official follow up to Ms Joy’s double Grammy winning album, ‘Linger Awhile’ on which she was supported by a star band- Pasquale Grasso on guitar, David Wong on bass and Kenny Washington on drums – plus Sullivan Fortner on piano. The same players offer the same warm and sympathetic support on ‘A Joyful Holiday’ which offers a selection of Christmas standards and carols like ‘O Holy Night’ (performed with multiple generations of her family and showing her gospel roots) and ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ . There’s also a cover Stevie Wonder’s “Twinkle Twinkle Little Me’ on which Sullivan Fortner’s piano sparkles like Christmas time frost!
The EP also offers two versions of ‘The Christmas Song’ – one a studio recording and one a live, atmospheric version which is actually a duet with her father Antonio McLendon; the family chemistry is palpable.
SAMARA JOY’S ‘A Joyful Holiday’ is out now via Verve Records and is also available as an exclusive D2C emerald green colour variant LP.
