One of my favorite voices (and interviews) has a pair of Christmas classics out and they have that signature Nikki Yanofsky sound.
Songwriter Hugh Martin co-wrote “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” that Judy Garland then made famous in 1944, and “Marshmallow World,” written by Carl Sigman and Peter De Rose, was first recorded by Bing Crosby in 1950. In order to capture the rich history behind these holiday staples, Yanofsky recorded to tape on an old ribbon mic, and the cover was photographed on old film, making for a true retro experience.
Yanofsky’s voice comes alive and you can almost feel her passion for these songs during her vocal delivery. Amazing as usual, Nikki mixes her jazzy soul with her incredible pop sensibilities. The outcome is quite simply a couple of “new” Holiday Standards for years to come.
The release of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “Marshmallow World” follows Yanofsky’s recent jazz album Nikki By Starlight, comprised of 15 standards from jazz legends Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker, Billie Holiday and more. ‘Nikki By Starlight’ was co-produced with the JUNO-winning producer/composer and long-time collaborator Paul Shrofel and features contributions from Stevie Wonder’s bandmate Greg Phillinganes, Nathan East (Bobby Womack, Herbie Hancock, Michael Jackson) and the iconic Cuban-American jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval.
Yanofsky again co-produced these Christmas covers with Paul Shrofel and this time, Shrofel adds soft and tasteful piano accompaniment as well. Yanofsky and Shrofel’s musical relationship stems back to her very first performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival at the age of 12. Yanofsky and Shrofel have always shared a musical connection that has only gotten stronger over the years, and their latest works together serve to prove that.
So here’s an invitation to kick off the Holiday Season with these two Christmas classics performed by a one-of-a-kind voice!
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