We start our holiday music journey with Ms. Jody Watley and her stunning rendition of Christmas Time Is Here. The trip-hop and jazz take is sexy, dreamy, and cozy. It’s giving us all the feels and will be on our holiday playlist for years and years to come. It really begs for one to make a Christmas wish for an entire holiday album from the incredible Jody Watley.
Check this out, add it to your list, purchase it, and stream it. You will be glad you have and we know you will play it a few times over after the first listen. It’s that good! Bravo, Jody, Bravo!
The Historic Band Aid Single “Do They Know It’s Christmas.”
November 25,1984
While living in London after departing from Shalamar in July of 1983 – planning what was next, I was fortunate to be asked to be a part of this monumental recording session and single. I received a call from Mariella Frostrup, who was the publicist for Phonogram Records U.K. at the time. Phongram was keen to sign me to a solo deal. Mariella didn’t give a lot of details about the session, just that I really needed to be there at request of Sir Bob Geldof as well who was organizing a recording session.
None of us really knew the magnitude of what it would be, we all turned up casually – some of the artists would joke they were coming from the pub or clubbing the night before.. it was all very low key when invited. One of the things that makes it so organic looking is no one was really done up for the cameras so to speak.
The result was “Do The Know It’s Christmas” the name of the group – Band Aid. Four days later it was released in the UK along with a powerful documentary and it has been played during the holiday season since. “Do They Know It’s Christmas” remains one of the biggest singles of all time in the U.K. and mega seller worldwide.
It’s an experience none of us involved will ever forget and a song that made a huge difference, setting the bar for other charity singles to follow.
I’ve said through the years, meeting George Michael and asking if he’d do a duet with me – which he did when I returned to America and signed with MCA Records recording my proper solo debut and looking back on it, it’s also notable I am the only black female artist and only 1 of 4 women in total. Some artists declined including other female from what I was told back then. To be a part of a historic single as the first thing I did after leaving and post Shalamar is such a gift.
The single went straight to Number 1, was front page news and has raised millions of dollars for famine relief and remains a milestone Christmas single despite a regrettable lyric (tonight thank God it’s them instead of you) created in the moment by the writers of the song as they have later acknowledged – the intent of the song is so very positive. Feed The World – Let Them Know It’s Christmas Time Again. That message and sentiment will always remain, help those in need.
Many of us performed the song on Top Of The Pops as well you can find it on Youtube along with original video.
Grammy Award winning musical superstar Jody Watley releases new holiday song, “Christmas Time Is Here.”
She is spreading some festive cheer with the release of a jazzy rendition of the quintessential holiday song “Christmas Time Is Here” from her favorite, Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” produced by Jody Watley and Rodney Lee now available on all streaming platforms. Download it, stream, share and add as a essential for the holiday playlists.
“This is an ambient and chill rendition perfect for warm cocoa, a laid-back atmosphere and a fireplace real or virtual” says Watley of the release due on her longtime independent imprint Avitone Recordings. “I hope this is a rendition people will enjoy for decades to come. With so much chaos in the world, hopefully my rendition of ‘Christmas Time Is Here’ will sooth some souls.”
A brilliant songwriter, artist, entrepreneur, producer, and visionary has continued recording new music sharing her gift of artistry globally.
The beautiful icon in music, video, fashion and style, often referred to by her fans as “The Queen of Cool,” is as prolific as anyone who’s ever set foot in a recording studio, and as proficient as anyone who’s ever decided to be a song lyricist. She is not only a great singer—she is a great songwriter, and great performer.
As one of the architects of 21st century pop and contemporary street style mixed with high fashion, her 1989 hit “Friends,” featuring hip hop/rap legends Eric B & Rakim, is the first pairing of pop/R&B/rap/dance to crossover into the Billboard Top 10 on multiple charts.
Watley’s vision — the trendsetting, forward thinking marriage of high fashion and street fashion with music in the 80s — long before it became the norm — along with her fusion of jazz and underground club culture — demonstrates her keen pop instincts and an ease with which she crossed, and still crosses, genres. Jody Watley forged the template that is now in everybody’s playbook.
Visit Jody Watley YouTube Channel to experience All Things Jody Watley, including concert features, interviews of the Grammy Award-winning artist and more.
Jody Watley is getting in the holiday spirit! The Grammy winning music global superstar is spreading some festive cheer with upcoming release of the joyful and jazzy rendition of classic holiday song “Christmas Time Is Here” from her favorite, Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” on November 17 and 18 2022 (depending on your digital platform).
“This is an ambient and chill rendition perfect for warm cocoa, a laid-back atmosphere and a fireplace real or virtual” says Watley of the release due on her longtime independent imprint Avitone Recordings. Download, stream, playlist, share!
Jody Watley puts a joyful spin on classic Christmas tune! The Grammy winning music global superstar is spreading some festive cheer with upcoming release of the jazzy rendition of quintessential holiday song “Christmas Time Is Here” from her favorite, Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on November 17, 2022. Read more on Soultracks
Grammy Winning Music Icon Jody Watley is set to release the jazzy rendition of classic holiday song “Christmas Time Is Here” from her favorite, Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on November 17, 2022.
“This is an ambient and chill rendition perfect for warm cocoa, a laid back atmosphere and a fireplace real or virtual” says Watley of the release due on her longtime independent imprint Avitone Recordings. “I originally recorded this for my devoted fans and had it available for a free download for a short while quite sometime ago. “Christmas Time Is Here” is produced by Rodney Lee (Midnight Lounge, The Makeover) and myself. This is the first official release of the newly mixed and remastered single and I’m happy it will now be available on all streaming platforms for holiday seasons to come.”
Just a periodic check in with you my wonderful subscribers, I appreciate you. This is a safe space away from social media to stay up to date with me as well as receive positive affirmations to those who just might need it in any given moment.
A few more opportunities to see me live this year:
November 1 – Rancho Mirage Aqua Caliente Resort “A Night To Remember” Gala benefitting Cathedral Senior Center, Get your black tie garments together for a great cause – Tickets
December 6 & 7 – with San Francisco Symphony Orchestra “Colors Of Christmas” also featuring Oleta Adams, Peabo Bryson, Ruben Studdard – don’t miss this fabulous holiday show! Davies Symphony Hall – Tickets
December 10 – Freestyle Explosion “Holiday Jam” – it will be a party. Pechanga Arena – Tickets
I’ll also be performing the National Anthem on Christmas Day December 25 for a major sports franchise – Stay Tuned!!
“Autumn is the season that shows us that change can be beautiful – be encouraged.”
