Sleigh Ride

The legendary “rock band with horns” gets into the spirit of the holiday season with an album that mixes original christmas songs and Yuletide favorites.

For Tony Award-winning performer Idina Menzel, the holidays haven’t always come without complexities. “My parents announced that they were separating on Thanksgiving morning,” she tells Apple Music. When Menzel gave birth to her son and got remarried, these moments granted her the opportunity to rewrite her version of the holidays. Billy Porter, Josh Gad, Ariana Grande, and husband Aaron Lohr help her usher in the season with a medley of rejuvenated favorites and spirited originals. “I wanted it to feel like you could be at a great holiday party back in the ’40s or ’50s,” Menzel says. “I also want you to be able to decorate your tree, put on the music, and feel excited for the holidays.” Here, Menzel talks through some of Christmas: A Season of Love’s most festive moments.

Winter Stories is a jazz trio type of album, inspired by the feel of Winter.Featuring Steve Rodby on acoustic bass and Khari Parker on drums (on brushes), this is Brian’s first foray into a traditional jazz sounding album. It is still melodic and ‘produced’ but at its roots is a very jazz oriented album.