Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Kenny Lattimore celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with the release of his first Christmas album, A Kenny Lattimore Christmas.
Lattimore will support the album with a nationwide tour with Dave Koz. The Dave Koz Christmas Tour, which commenced on November 25 in Sarasota, Florida, will also include shows at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta (Dec. 2); the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. (Dec. 3); New York City’s Town Hall (Dec. 6); and the Chicago Theatre in Chicago (Dec. 11), to name a few.
“Dave Koz is a great saxophonist and an amazing person I met some years back. I knew he did an annual Christmas tour. I asked him this year if I could join. Sure enough, he was able to extend me the opportunity. The show guests myself, Jonathan Butler and Valerie Simpson. It is amazing. It is wonderful lights and sounds, comparative to a show on Broadway in that aspect. It’s a real show with a tremendous variety of music from the Motown sounds of Valerie Simpson to my Christmas album and Dave Koz. It all blends together for a beautiful evening,” offers Lattimore.
Offering 11 songs filled with happiness, joy and worship for the season and beyond, A Kenny Lattimore Christmas is a festive project that includes renditions of holiday favorites “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” a modern R&B interpretation of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” a jazz- leaning “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and an ethereal version of “O Holy Night.”
Lattimore co-wrote on the six original songs including standouts, “Home For The Holidays,” “Everybody Love Somebody” and “Real Love At Christmas.” This is his first foray into the holiday genre and it is a well-rounded complement to any music lover’s holiday collection.
“The original songs came about through a process of asking myself, what is authentic and truly what I feel during the Christmas holiday season,” he shares. “This album also gave me the ability to cross genres from jazz, R&B, classical and gospel to show my versatility.” He deftly shows his range on the soaring and passionate “I Cry Holy,” and “We Want To See You.”
The multitalented crooner beloved by audiences since his hit “For You” has remained a mainstay in R&B music. He continues to carry the mantle of traditional R&B as he continues to tour nationally and internationally.
How does he stay motivated to continue to pursue and deliver R&B music?
“I believe I am inspired by the people, the connection and the communication that takes place. I did go through a period of feeling that I had fallen out of love with it. I realize that being a part of anything is like being in a relationship and over time you forget why you fell in love in the first place. One of the reasons I fell in love with music is I believe it is a gift from God. Also, I love the exchange with my audience. It is like a friendship. People are moved by the message and the purpose of the song. It’s cathartic to be on stage and share your life story,” Lattimore explains.
With nine albums and a career that spans two decades, A Kenny Lattimore Christmas, is a stocking stuffer must this Christmas.
A complete list of tour dates can found here. Fans can now also visit the website to purchase “A Kenny Lattimore Christmas,” along with exclusive Christmas merchandise.
