Norah Jones has announced the release of her first-ever holiday album, I Dream Of Christmas, which will arrive this October.
The nine-time Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and pianist has recorded a collection of covers of seasonal classics alongside her own original Christmas-themed songs. The covers featured on the album include “White Christmas”, “Winter Wonderland,” and “Run Rudolph Run.”
I Dream Of Christmas will be released on October 15 via Blue Note Records and will be available on vinyl, CD, and digital download. The first track from the record, “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)” is available to stream and download now.
“I’ve always loved Christmas music but never had the inclination to make a holiday album until now,” Jones said. “Last year I found myself listening to James Brown’s Funky Christmas and Elvis’s Christmas Album on Sundays during lockdown for a sense of comfort. In January 2021, I started thinking about making a Christmas album of my own. It gave me something fun to work on and look forward to.
“When I was trying to figure out which direction to take, the original songs started popping in my head. They were all about trying to find the joys of Christmas, catching that spark, that feeling of love and inclusion that I was longing for during the rest of the year. Then there are all the classics that have that special nostalgia that can hit you no matter who or where you are in life. It was hard to narrow down, but I picked favorite classics that I knew I could make my own.”
On I Dream Of Christmas, Jones worked with producer Leon Michels (Aloe Blacc, Hanni el Khatib), who co-wrote some of the original songs and contributed saxophone, flute, percussion, and more to the record. It also features musicians Brian Blade (drums), Tony Scherr and Nick Movshon (bass), Russ Pahl (pedal steel guitar), Marika Hughes (cello), Dave Guy (trumpet), and Raymond Mason (trombone).
I Dream Of Christmas will be released on October 15. Pre-order it here and view the tracklisting below.
1. Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones)
2. Christmas Don’t Be Late
3. Christmas Glow
4. White Christmas
5. Christmastime
6. Blue Christmas
7. It’s Only Christmas Once A Year
8. You’re Not Alone
9. Winter Wonderland
10. A Holiday With You
11. Run Rudolph Run
12. Christmas Time Is Here
13. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
