Celebrated Classical Artist Audrey
DuBois Harris
Releases “JOY TO THE WORLD! A Christmas
Celebration”
on Noble World Records
DuBois Harris Who Performed at Queen of
Soul’s Homegoing
Shares the Reason for the Season in
Multi-Genre Holiday Collection
(New York, NY – November
23, 2018) – World-renowned classical artist Audrey DuBois Harris is set
to release her first full-length holiday collection with JOY TO THE
WORLD! A Christmas Celebration today, Friday, November 23, 2018, on her
imprint, Noble World Records. The album consists of ten Christmas favorites
with one bonus track, all arranged and produced by DuBois Harris. Each song specifically celebrates the birth of Christ,
with unique arrangements spanning Classical, Latin, Caribbean, Gospel,
Americana, and more. Throughout, these holiday favorites are enlivened by DuBois
Harris’ powerful soprano voice, which combines crystalline clarity with an
impressive range and sinuous soulfulness. The result is a refreshingly new take
on familiar holiday fare.
“I wanted all the
songs I chose to have a Christ-centered focus. That’s why I opened the CD with
‘Oh Come, Oh Come, Emanuel,’” explains
DuBois Harris, a Juilliard graduate who has performed in operas and recitals in
the U.S. and abroad. “The first word you hear is ‘Rejoice,’ which is the
message of the album. I believe Christmas is about Christ, love, joy, giving,
family, friends, and togetherness. Christ is the reason for the season.”
In addition to “Oh
Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel,” the new collection includes a toe-tapping version of
Handel’s “Joy To The World,” a
country-tinged “Silent Night,” a Latin-tempo for “What Child is This,” a
Caribbean lilt for “The First Noel,” conga drums on “Little Drummer Boy,” and
church organ for “Jesus, The Light of The World,” which
is dedicated in loving tribute to the memory of the late Aretha Franklin. DuBois Harris’
technique and gifts were on display for a broad TV viewing audience in August
2018, as she sang a heartfelt tribute at the Celebration of Life Homegoing
Service for Aretha Franklin.
The album also
features “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Away in A Manger/Be With Me Lord
Jesus,” and “Silent Night.” Proving that talent runs in the family, DuBois
Harris’ eight-year-old daughter, LeeAuna Harris, performs her original solo
piano arrangement of “Angels We Have Heard on High” in addition to joining the
band in the percussion section.
“People
all over the world celebrate Christmas in many different ways,” says DuBois
Harris. “For this project, I drew from my
exposure to different cultures to represent an array of sounds and
rhythms. I wanted to explore and weave these musical textures with the colors
of my voice. I also wanted to pay honor to the late great Aretha Franklin with
my version of ‘Jesus, The Light of The World.’ My
hope is that this project will indeed bring peace and joy to the world
during the Christmas season.”
“JOY
TO THE WORLD! A Christmas Celebration” follows her five-song EP, God Bless America, which features the title track
along with classic and contemporary compositions.