For those not in the know, Gwen Hughes is an Atlanta-based jazz vocalist and songwriter who loves bringing people together through music.

Her music melds fresh takes on jazz, soul and pop favorites, plus eclectic original songs. With her rich, warm voice and playful spirit, she creates performances that feel joyful, welcoming, and heartfelt.

Her brand new release is entitled The First Noel: Jazz Hymns for Christmas and is one of those albums (myself having listened to it twice now, even here in September) that should be playing on your Christmas morning and, perhaps even throughout your most festive of days for all to enjoy.

1. We Three Kings
2. Patapan
3. The First Noel
4. I Saw Three Ships
5. A Child Is Born
6. The Wexford Carol
7. Angels We Have Heard on High
8. All Through The Night
9. Joy To The World
10. There’s A Song in The Air
11. Go Tell It On The Mountain

The talented singer, songwriter, and producer opens her festive new recording on the stridently ambiant We Three Kings and the smooth jazz flow of Patapan and then we get the enveloping beauty of the titular The First Noel, the playfully perky I Saw Three Ships, with an emotively impassioned A Child Is Born along next.

They are then followed by the twinkling resonance of The Wexford Carol and the breathy balladry of Angels We Have Heard on High, and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the upright bass-led All Through The Night, the soft bounce line of Joy To The World, the new set rounding out on an engaging There’s A Song in The Air, coming to a close on the hushed tones of Go Tell It On The Mountain.

Official Website