New Orleans Musicians Share Their Unexpected Christmas Favorites
New Orleans is renowned for its vibrant musical traditions – jazz, blues, funk, and bounce – but Christmas carols often take a backseat. However,many of the city’s most beloved musicians have deep roots in the church,and their personal connections to the holiday season reveal a surprising blend of faith,tradition,and soulful expression. As Rosemary Westwood from member station WWNO discovered, these artists find Christmas inspiration in both classic hymns and unexpected contemporary songs.
A Signature Sound for the Season
Jazz singer John Boutte’s career blossomed after a pivotal encounter with Stevie Wonder, who famously invited him onstage during a 1993 New Orleans concert. Boutte’s Christmas album, A Boutte Christmas, features his signature blend of jazz, R&B, and New orleans soul. He grew up singing in his family’s gospel choir and recalls a childhood where Christmas was a time for elaborate decorations and heartfelt gatherings. “Christmas was a big deal,” Boutte said. “It was a time when the whole family came together, and we celebrated the birth of Christ with music and joy.” Among his favorite Christmas songs is “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” which he performs with a soulful, jazzy arrangement.
Bounce, Belief, and a gay Santa
Big Freedia, the Queen of Bounce, is known for her high-energy performances and infectious beats. She also openly embraces her faith, often sharing both energetic dance videos and prayerful sentiments on social media. “Being that I’m a Black, gay artist, I’m not afraid to let people know that I believe in God,” Freedia stated.From her early days as a choir director, Freedia has infused her music with her spiritual background, even recording Christmas songs that are “strictly Big Freedia.” Among her favorites is her own track, “Santa is a Gay Man.” Freedia recalls a childhood where her parents prioritized making Christmas joyful despite financial hardship, ensuring gifts and gratitude on the day celebrating Christ’s birth.
Finding Spirituality in Song
Tarriona “Tank” Ball, the lead singer of Tank and the Bangas, is known for her genre-bending sound and soulful performances. Her upbringing in a Baptist church, guided by her preacher grandfather, instilled a strong moral compass. Ball finds inspiration in a diverse range of Christmas songs, including Eartha Kitt’s “Santa Baby,” anything by Donny Hathaway, and The Temptations’ rendition of “Silent Night.” For Ball, singing is a deeply spiritual act. “I hope people feel closer to God. I hope they feel comforted,” she said, expressing her desire to create a sense of peace and connection through her music.
Jazz Harmonies and the Nativity Story
Leroy Jones, a prominent jazz trumpeter with the Preservation Hall collective, brings a unique perspective to Christmas music. He has recorded an album of Christmas hymns arranged in three-part trumpet harmony, with “away in a Manger” holding a special place in his heart. Jones explained that the song’s lyrics vividly depict the scene of Christ’s birth and the awe-inspiring moment when he was visited by the Three Wise Men.
blues, Healing, and Remembering the Struggling
Accordion and harmonica player Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes remembers Christmases filled with music in his childhood home. “They would play music, especially during the Christmas season, all night long,” he recalled, “Blues, blues and more blues.” Barnes continues to perform classic blues tracks like “Christmas Tears” by Freddie King. Growing up as the child of sharecroppers, Christmas represented a respite from hardship, a time created through “magic and medicine and healing.” With roots in both Baptist and Pentecostal traditions, Barnes’ family’s Christmas celebrations also included spiritual songs that reminded them to remember and pray for those facing difficulties – soldiers, the wounded, those on welfare, and all those in need.
A Lifetime of Song and a Message of Hope
At 84, Irma Thomas, the “Soul Queen of New Orleans,” continues to sing at church and remains a mainstay at the gospel tent at Jazz Fest. She describes gospel music as a form of prayer and praise, a way to express emotions when words fail. Thomas has recorded “O Holy Night” twice,hoping to offer solace and hope to listeners during the Christmas season. “All I want to do is bring joy to folk,” she said, emphasizing the power of music to uplift and inspire.
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