The Christmas Message
{{Infobox album
| name = The Christmas Message
| type = studio
| artist = Kirk Whalum
| cover = Kirk Whalum- The ChristmasMessage.jpeg
| released = October 23, 2001
| recorded =
| studio =
- Dark Horse Recording (Franklin, Tennessee)
- Father's Image (Brentwood, Tennessee)
- Yo Soy (Bellevue, Tennessee)
| genre = Jazz
| length = 01:04:43
| label = Warner Bros.
| producer =
- Kirk Whalum
- John Stoddart
| prev_title = Hymns in the Garden
| prev_year = 2001
| next_title = The Gospel According to Jazz Chapter 2
| next_year = 2002
}}
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-christmas-message-mw0000591531|title=Kirk Whalum: The Christmas Message|author=Edelstein, Paula|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=January 8, 2025}}
}}
The Christmas Message is an album by saxophonist Kirk Whalum issued in 2001 on Warner Bros. Records.{{cite work|title=Kirk Whalum: The Christmas Message|date=2001|publisher=Warner Bros. Records}} The album reached No. 14 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and No. 27 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/kirk-whalum/chart-history/|title=Kirk Whalum (Billboard Charts)|publisher=Billboard|access-date=January 8, 2025}} The album was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Album at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards in 2003.{{cite web|title=2003 Grammy Award Nominees Announced|url=https://www.hollywood.com/general/2003-grammy-award-nominees-announced-57206392|website=Hollywood.com|access-date=9 January 2025}}
Critical reception
Paula Edelstein of AllMusic wrote "This holiday collection is commensurate with Whalum's previous inspirational and spirited instrumental offering, Hymns in the Garden, in that it offers a wonderful visitation to classic songs with a very different approach and touch."
Track listing
{{Track listing
|title1= The First Noël
|writer1=
|length1= 5:47
|title2= Do You Hear What I Hear?
|writer2=
|length2= 4:48
|title3= Love from a Star
|writer3= John Stoddart
|length3= 5:06
|title4= Cradle in Bethlehem
|writer4= Alfred Bryan, Larry Stock
|length4= 5:27
|title5= O Holy Night
|writer5=
|length5= 6:25
|title6= The Little (Ghetto) Drummer Boy
|writer6=
|length6= 3:21
|title7= Rise Up Shepherd and Follow
|writer7=
|length7= 2:04
|title8= Sweet Little Jesus Boy
|writer8=
|length8= 3:02
|title9= Amazing Grace
|writer9=
|length9= 5:00
|title10= We Three Kings
|writer10=
|length10= 5:07
|title11= The Christmas Message
|writer11= Kirk Whalum
|length11= 3:49
|title12= O Little Town of Bethlehem
|writer12=
|length12= 4:38
|title13= Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
|writer13=
|length13= 5:00
|title14= Blott En Dag
|writer14= Lina Sandell-Berg
|length14= 4:51
}}
Personnel
- Kirk Whalum – soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, synthesizer programming, computer programming
- John Stoddart – lead and backing vocals (1-5, 7-13), keyboards, acoustic piano, synthesizer programming, computer programming
- Michael Ripoll – acoustic guitars, electric guitars, nylon guitar
- Phil Keaggy – electric guitar (11), nylon-string acoustic guitar (11)
- David Santos – electric bass (1-5, 7-14)
- Kyle Whalum – electric bass (6), beatbox vocal (6)
- Sean McCurley – drums
- John Santos – percussion
- Kevin Whalum – lead and backing vocals (6)
- Cyndee Peters – backing vocals (7), lead vocals (14)
= Production =
- Kirk Whalum – producer, arrangements
- John Stoddart – producer, arrangements
- Ed Simonton – engineer, mixing (7, 8, 11, 13)
- Victor Caldwell – mixing (1-6, 9, 10, 12, 14), additional engineer, mastering
- Jared Byers – assistant engineer
- James Felver – assistant engineer
- Neal Garon – assistant engineer
- Kori Whalum – assistant engineer
- The Master's Lab (Brentwood, Tennessee) – mastering location
- Kimberly B. Eason – production coordinator
- Mark Larson – design, digital artwork
- Richard Lee – photography
References
{{reflist}}
{{Kirk Whalum}}
{{Authority Control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Christmas Message}}
Category:2001 Christmas albums