Santa
Claus has a special treat to stuff in the stockings of all the good Jonathan
Butler fans this Christmas: the first Christmas album by the two-time
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter-guitarist. Butler produced and arranged
“Merry Christmas To You,” which will be released October 1 by Artistry Music.
Two singles will be shipped to multiple radio formats this holiday season: an
instrumental take on “Sleigh Ride” decorated with hallmarks from the South
African native’s homeland, and the album’s title track, which is a retro-flavored
R&B/adult contemporary ballad penned by Butler.
Butler
recorded eight Christmas chestnuts for the collection and penned a pair of new
songs, including “Happy Holidays,” an ardent urban groove ornamented with riffs
of cool jazz guitar. High-profile hornmen Dave Koz, Rick Braun and Paul
“Shilts” Weimer contribute to the festivities on a couple of tracks as does
Butler’s daughter, vocalist Jodie Butler, and bassist Dan Lutz, who plays
upright on a tune, but the heart of the intimate recording is Butler solo
pouring his impassioned voice and acoustic guitar into the seasonal songs. His
arresting performances and sparse production captivates, fostering an air of
freshness to the evergreen material.
“These
songs are beautiful on their own so I felt they didn't need a lot of
instrumentation. Plus I wanted my fans to have a personal Christmas message
from me. That is why the CD has very little production and plenty of voice and
guitar. It’s a very proud moment for me to finally have a Christmas record,
which has been a long time coming. I hope fans feel blessed and uplifted when
they play it at home or in their car or wherever they may be. I truly thank God
for giving me the strength and the opportunity to make this album,” said
Butler, who lives in California’s San Fernando Valley with his family.
The
“Merry Christmas To You” album opens with an energizing version of the Donny
Hathaway soul classic “This Christmas.” Butler applies South African
vocalization, chanting and rhythmic percussion to “Little Drummer Boy.” “I’ll
Be Home For Christmas,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “The First
Noel,” “O Holy Night” and the lesser known “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” are
presented starkly featuring show-stopping performances by the devoutly inspired
man with his guitar.
Beginning
November 30, Butler will venture out on a three-week U.S. concert swing
performing on the Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour during which he will
share the stage with the charismatic sax star as well as keyboardist Keiko
Matsui and vocalist Oleta Adams.
A former
child star, Butler was the first black artist played on radio stations in South
Africa. The hint of grit in his expressive voice reflects the pain he endured
growing up under Apartheid, the youngest of 17 children. A true artist who
refuses to segregate his music, Butler’s recordings consist of vocal and
instrumental hits and enduring fan favorites spanning R&B, contemporary
jazz, gospel, adult contemporary, pop and world beat stylings. The natural-born
performer’s radiant spirit shines brightly through his beaming smile and
twinkling eyes.
The songs
comprising Butler’s “Merry Christmas To You” are:
“This Christmas”
“Sleigh Ride”
“Merry Christmas To
You”
“Happy Holidays”
“Little Drummer
Boy”
“I’ll Be Home For
Christmas”
“Have Yourself A
Merry Little Christmas”
“Sweet Little Jesus
Boy”
“The First Noel”
“O Holy Night”
www.jonathanbutler.com
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