Joy to the World (LeChateau Earl)
Damien Sneed
Released in 2019
JazzTimes 2021 Holiday Jazz Album
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nErgZLMvJ-28TjFgKaX6J7UNA_QoGiEgQ
Spotify:
About:
Damien Sneed, the multi-talented composer, conductor, musician, and vocalist has reissued a delightful, four-track EP just in time for the holidays. Released on LeChateau Earl Records, Joy to the World includes four Sneed holiday favorites, specially arranged to get listeners in the spirit of the season, now available for streaming and downloading via iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, among others.
The collection presents highlights of an electrifying holiday program Sneed first arranged and performed in 2019 at The Apollo Theater in New York City, which included an array of diverse tunes as well as favorites from previous Sneed recordings. “People loved the Apollo performance. I received raved reviews. That was my first solo concert presented at the Apollo,” recalls Sneed, whose musical repertoire spans jazz, classical, gospel, and more. He repeated that program a week later in Washington, DC, at the historic synagogue Sixth & I, where the concert was recorded. “Then I performed for Washington Performing Arts, where we did this concert at a synagogue and I released a holiday EP titled, ‘Joy to the World.’ This is the manifestation of those performances.”
Sneed says that the many months that the country has been forced to grapple with staying home, mask mandates, vaccinations, and more have created an even greater need for holiday cheer this year. Though he had originally planned to go on tour with this material in late 2020, he too was forced to cancel those dates. Now, by offering music from those exceptional shows, Sneed hopes to share the joyful spirit that made them so special.
“I really can say this, it was, still to date, the best performance of my entire life and career,” says the musician and conductor of that DC performance. “The energy, the sound, the musicians, and the singers. I’m telling you it was so amazing. I was blown away. Everybody was blown away.”
Listeners will be able to join in on this glorious musical journey that celebrates the soul, spirit, and reason for the season.
Track Listing:
1. Joy To The World 05:45
Here Sneed gives the tune an injection of gospel fervor in the intro, then shifts into an upbeat jazz exhortation.
2. What Christmas Really Means 04:59
Is a beautiful and gentle original ballad that recounts all that we should be grateful for, as her honey-sweet voice caresses each lyric and Sneed embellishes with a piano solo.
3. A Child Is Born (from Introspections LIVE) 03:26
Here Sneed reverently reworks the tune, which was originally written by jazz trumpeter Thad Jones with lyrics added later, with a soaring vocal and intricate piano work that enhances the beauty of both the melody and the poetic description of the Savior’s birth.
4. Adore Him Medley (from Broken To Minister: The Deluxe Edition) 13:12
Once again, Sneed highlights his skills at not only playing but arranging on this meditative version of the classic Christmas carol that melds into uplifting harmonies on “No, He’s Not A Baby Anymore.”
Personnel:
Damien Sneed: keyboards (1), piano (2, 3, 4), vocals (3)
Alicia Peters-Jordan: lead vocals (1)
Keyon Harrold: trumpet (1)
Chenee Campbell: vocals (1, 4)
Markita Knight: vocals (1)
Linny Smith: vocals (1)
David Daniels: lead guitar (1)
Marquéz Cassidy: Hammond B3 organ (1)
John Matthew Clark: bass (1, 4)
Joel Tate: drums (1)
Lizzy Ossevoort: vocals (2)
Lynette McNeil: vocals (4)
Djore Nance: vocals (4)
Matia Washington: vocals (4)
Tiffany Stevenson: vocals (4)
Jammal Graham: Hammond B3 organ (4)
Isaiah Johnson: drums (4)
Matthew Jones: string arrangement (4)
Review:
A successful gospel singer, Sneed may not be widely known in jazz circles, but he’s always been jazz-leaning and, more importantly, a major voice in the spiritual-music field. This EP of just four songs features a small sampling of material from a live show he’s been doing with a band and choir called “Joy to the World: A Christmas Musical Journey.” Putting aside the power and energy of the gospel choir on the other three cuts, my favorite selection is actually a stripped-down version of “A Child Is Born,” originally written by Thad Jones with lyrics later added by Alec Wilder. With just voice and piano, Sneed captures the simple beauty of this jazz standard that has been adopted as a holiday song.
Lee Mergner (JazzTimes)
