Consummate Entertainer Brings Nostalgia With A Modern Twist That Will Have You Dancing Around The Christmas Tree!
Casting a unique, joyous and only-in-New Orleans spin on beloved holiday tuneage, “Judith Owen Swings Christmas” is set for release November 8th via Twanky Records. Recorded at Esplanade Studios in the Big Easy over the course of a week with the help of her JO Big Band, “Judith Owen Swings Christmas” gets you in the holiday mood with seven Big Band classics old and new and was produced by Judith Owen and Grammy-winner John Fischbach. The album was mastered by Grammy-winner Misha Kachkachishviliwith Big Band song arrangements by John Wasson.
“Judith Owen Swings Christmas” also includes seven bonus previously released Christmas tracks from her previously recorded yuletide gems (updated and remastered), featuring New Orleans’ very own Jason Marsalis on vibes, along with the ‘Gentlemen Callers’- David Torkanowsky on Piano, Kevin Louis on Cornet/Trumpet, Ken Warshawski on Double Bass, Jamison Ross on Drums, Pedro Segundo on percussion and Ricardo Pascal on Sax.
The release of “Judith Owen Swings Christmas” ties in with the annual holiday benefit that Judith and her husband, actor Harry Shearer, host every year, “Christmas Without Tears”. This year’s benefit will take place Tuesday, December 17th, at the Orpheum Theater in New Orleans and features the JO Big Band along with a cavalcade of local stars.. A tradition that began in Shearer and Owen’s Santa Monica, California home, these annual gatherings have grown into a heartwarming house party around the piano that involves and entertains special guests, fellow performers and audience members alike. Since 2005, when the first public performance was staged at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles to aid the people of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Christmas Without Tears has been a guilt-free way of having fun and giving back: ALL proceeds go to charities, with this year’s New Orleans performance once again benefiting Innocence Project New Orleans.
A complete track listing is as follows:
1. No Better Time – With The J.O. Big Band
2. Have Yourself Aa Merry Little Christmas – With TheJ.O. Big Band
3. Cool Yule – With The J.O. Big Band
4. Last Christmas – With The J.O. Big Band
5. Silver Bells – With The J.O. Big Band
6. Run Rudolph Run- With The J.O. Big Band
7. What Are you Doing New Years Eve – With TheJ.O. Big Band
8. Sleigh Ride
9. Merry Christmas Baby
10. Winter Wonderland – Featuring Jason Marsalis
11. The Christmas Song – Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire
12. Santa Baby
13. Back Door Santa
14. Santa Claus Got Stuck (In My Chimney) – Featuring Jason Marsalis
“Judith Owen Swings Christmas” follows on the heels of her recently released album, “Judith Owen – Come On And Get It”, which has garnered over 3 Million album streams and more than a Million and a half YouTube views.
“And how about a little music to set the mood? That’s Welsh singer-songwriter Judith Owen, honoring a generation of female jazz musicians on her new album… Judith has made her home in New Orleans for many years, and she assembled some of the city’s top talent into the big band that backs her on the album.” —NPR, Weekend Edition
“A joyous homage to some of the trailblazing women from jazz and blues history” — JazzWise
“Every song on the album is a gem delivered with crystal clear intonation by Owen and super musicianship from the band.” — Jazz Journal
“Bold Female Declarations, Without Apology” — JazzIz
“One of the most joyful releases of the year” — The Times UK
“An exercise in style” — Rolling Stone
”The recording reveals Owen’s assured techniques of a Blues singer. Her driving swing, fine pitch, perfect timing and instrument-like improvisational skills are combined with a sincere connection to her band members that hives her singing a truly radiant quality. Overall, Comes Alive is a sure indication that Judith Owen has arrived and is an exceptional vocalist with a modern take on songs from the Great American Songbook.” —Sounds Of Timeless Jazz
