Featuring… Daneen Wilburn, Darryl Walker, Joshua Taylor, Angela Chatelain Avila
Saturday December 28 th 2024
Live & Up Close Showroom – Sycuan Casino & Resort, El Cajon, CA
Photos and review by Andrew Banks
This inaugural live performance of A SOULFUL HOLIDAY featured local home-grown San Diego talent from the jazz, soul, R&B scene. The leader of the pack, Rebecca Jade, has eight San Diego Music Awards and has performed or recorded with such artists as Elton John, Jason Mraz, Karl Denson, Dave Koz & Friends, Sheila E. and Gloria Estefan.
The evening included a collection of soulful renditions of classic holiday tunes combined with original songs and even an instrumental interpretation by the 50’s and 60’s jazz great Vince Guaraldi. Music previously recorded by such artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, Carpenters and the Temptations along with several originals from Rebecca’s ‘Just Another Christmas Album” EP were also featured.
The headliner Rebecca Jade shared stage time equally with her guests as they all had several moments to shine vocally and instrumentally. Rebecca is equally comfortable singing front and center as the star performer or as support for her guests. “This is the first time I’ve put on a holiday concert event,” Jade said in between songs. “I picked the date on purpose. December 28 falls in that wonderful time between Christmas and the New Year when everybody’s spirits are up.”
Each artist also shared what their favorite part of the holidays are. Rebecca’s was all the great food and breaking bread with family and friends, Daneen’s the feeling of hopefulness and positivity for all, Darrel stated it’s a nice break from work, Angela added her fondness for holiday spirit and Christmas lights and Joshua said the quiet time of year is what’s most important to him (he obviously doesn’t live in Escondido, disturbingly the firework capital of San Diego County, even on Christmas Eve!!).
If this first show is any indication of the quality of performance and production, A SOULFUL HOLIDAY will certainly meet the vision of becoming an annual event and have legs for years to come! With the addition of one or two spot guest performances by national touring artists, this could easily tour the nation in 1500 – 2000 seat venues.
As the show ended and the house lights came up, the Sound Engineer played over the PA James Brown’s “Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto”, from one of my favorite Holiday albums “James Brown’s Funky Christmas”. Nice to see a sense of humor, however, that song should be a consideration for the 2nd Annual A SOULFUL HOLIDAY show, as adding a rougher and grittier side would not be a bad thing! Congratulations to all the musicians, artists, producers and sound / lighting team as you are solidly on to something! See you next year at a bigger venue!!
Don’t miss out! Discover the full magazine of this issue#8!
Don’t miss out! Discover the full magazine of this issue#8!
