Adrian Cunningham & La Lucha | New Holiday Classics

Adrian Cunningham & La Lucha present New Holiday Classics for Arbors Records. Songwriting team Gloria Muñoz and Mark Feinman composed music and lyrics for all ten tracks, that range in style from jazz to pop, to a danceable vallenato, and to upbeat R&B. A diverse cast of musicians came “together” to safely record this music in studios across continents. Muñoz writes in the liner notes, “We listen to the same holiday songs year after year after year. But this year is different because we are different. 2020 changed the world in unimaginable ways.” New Holiday Classics presents fresh new songs to help listeners celebrate this holiday season all year long. While it’s not a typical holiday album, it’s sure to become a favorite and an instant classic.

Backed by the trio La Lucha of chart-topping Everybody Wants To Rule The World, the album features guest singers Camila Meza, Clairdee, and Jamieson. Cunningham sings on six songs, including the two straight-ahead jazz tracks; the warm weathered, “Florida Holiday” and Grinch-like swinger, “It’s So Good To Be Bad.” In addition, he triples on tenor saxophone, clarinet, and flute throughout the album, including the funny and upbeat baroque-pop infused “Dapper Winter’s Best.” “Christmas Morning” brings that familiar holiday magic wrapped in a modern perspective. 

Soulful singer Jamieson is the album's first guest on “Starlight,” a power ballad focused on how to approach the holidays after loss. The song also welcomes a lush string quartet. Jamieson also turns up the funk in a danceable R&B song, “No Time of Year Like Christmas.”

"Nochebuena" features Chilean singer and guitarist Camila Meza, along with a full cast, including percussion and strings on this Vallenato Cha-cha. San Francisco based vocalist Clairdee is backed by strings on the hope-filled ballad “New Year’s Day," arranged by NEA Jazz Master, Dick Hyman. Adrian and La Lucha closes out the album with "Snowfall," a timely song about unity and change.  

Composers Muñoz & Feinman said about the album, “With New Holiday Classics, we set out to write and record all new original holiday music for people making an effort to reconnect with their joy this holiday season. It won’t be easy, but we know that music always helps.”

More info about Adrian or La Lucha at AdrianCunningham.com &  LaLuchaMusic.com

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Publicity | Moonlit Musica

Distribution | MVD Entertainment Group

Music Promotion | Lisa Reedy Promotions