Our favorite holiday album this season is Brynn Stanley’s Christmas Classic.
It sparkles. It swings. It leaves you warm and toasty, like a cup of rich hot chocolate topped with real whipped cream.
And I would say that (full disclosure!) even if hers wasn’t the silky-smooth voice you hear singing the Morristown Green theme song on our videos.
The fact is, Brynn Stanley’s album is landing on quite a few “Best Of” lists. The recognition is wonderful to see because, in addition to her world-class talent, this lady from Basking Ridge is one of the nicest people around.
We caught up with Brynn over the weekend to find out how she made a Christmas Classic.
Morristown Green: Every star from Bing Crosby to Ariana Grande has a Christmas album. Do you feel like you have arrived?
Brynn Stanley: I feel like my Christmas album has arrived!
MG: This album really swings. You have put a fresh spin on holiday standards like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Let It Snow and–most impressively–Jingle Bells. How do you do that? Where do you come up with these arrangements?
Brynn Stanley: I can only take credit for choosing the songs! When we first decided to record a Christmas album, my executive producer, Eric Lindquist ,made sure to tell my producer, Tony Guerrero, that he wanted something unique. Our vision was to create an album that people could play at a holiday party and have a new experience with sentimental classics.
MG: I’m guessing this CD was recorded far in advance of Christmas. How do you whip up some holiday spirit when the weather outside is delightful?
Brynn Stanley: We started this project right after Christmas last year, but I didn’t end up actually recording anything until spring. Our music video, Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) was actually filmed in July. Truly…we had “Christmas in July.” So yes, we had to use our imaginations quite a bit.
When I was recording in California, I would always joke and say, “Well, it’s snowing outside…” even though it was 70 degrees and sunny. I would even wear sweaters and listen to Christmas music to get myself in the “spirit.”
I remember taking the train to New York City during this summer while listening to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer through my headphones thinking…this person next to me has no idea what I’m listening to right now…and if they did…they would probably think I’m crazy and change seats.
MG: You sing a nice duet on Meet Me in the Middle with a guy who sounds a little like Nat King Cole. Who is he, and how did you two hook up? And where did you find that song?
Brynn Stanley: Thank you! I love this song. My producer, Tony Guerrero, wrote it and asked if I would record it and make it a part of the album. I knew I wanted a duet on the album, but I was originally thinking of Baby it’s Cold Outside.
After hearing Meet Me in the Middle, I really fell in love with the story line and its potential to become a classic. The vocalist’s name is Slim Man, and he is a well known singer in Los Angeles. It’s been nice to hear that he sounds so much like Nat King Cole…who’s one of my inspirations. I would consider this meant to be.
MG: Selfie With Santa is a gem. What’s the backstory on that one?
Brynn Stanley: It was my intent to re-create the nostalgia of my childhood — putting on layers of clothing to walk out in the snow late at night just to listen to the quiet, feeling the cold snowflakes melt on my face, listening to all the Christmas classics like Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole around a roaring fire, warming up with a cup of cocoa, the anticipation of exchanging gifts and watching loved ones light up. There was always so much magic in the air.
I didn’t realize at the time, but that special childhood feeling of magic and love stayed with me throughout my life and led me to write my first Christmas song, Selfie with Santa. The song’s lyrics are told through the eyes of a child…me.
However, I’m not entirely clear where all of the lyrics came from as “selfies” did not exist in my childhood.
All I remember was trying to write in L.A., longing to be home on the East Coast and picturing my Mom and Dad’s living room during Christmas time. This room was where my family gathered, decorated the tree, shared stories and laughter, and opened memorable gifts.
To me, Christmas is a timeless feeling. Selfie with Santa aims to re-create the magic that I felt as a child during the holiday season. Children across many generations have wanted to somehow “catch” a glimpse of Santa. Taking a selfie is the latest way to do it, but a selfie is more than just a picture…it’s a memory of a moment captured.
I hope you continue making joyous memories for years to come with family and friends beginning with your own Selfie with Santa.
MG: Classic Christmas has a crisp sound–are you really singing with a big orchestra?
Brynn Stanley: If I’m not then we should probably consider cancelling a lot of checks to all the musicians we paid! Yes. It was an amazing experience to be at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles recording with them. I wish I could describe to you how incredible a feeling it was to be in the same room with all those horns and violins…it really hits you. I couldn’t help but be overcome with emotion.
MG: This album would rate five stars from me if it had a ukulele number. Next album?
Brynn Stanley: Does this have anything to do with the fact that you are in a ukulele group? No promises, but you never know.
MG: Did you grow up with a lot of holiday music? What are your favorite Christmas albums?
Brynn Stanley: Every year since I was little my parents put on Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole’s Christmas albums. I fell in love with them right away. When those albums are on…it’s officially Christmas. And of course, I love Michael Buble’s Christmas album.
MG: How is Classic Christmas doing so far on the holiday charts? Where can people buy it?
Brynn Stanley: I’m so happy — and relieved– to say it’s doing incredibly well. The single, a cover of Elvis’ Santa, Bring My Baby Back (To Me) is currently in the Top 25 Adult Contemporary Pop Charts, and I just found out that our music video has over 21,000 views on YouTube. My Dad might be responsible for half of those views, but that’s still pretty unbelievable.
It’s also been mentioned in Country Living Magazine as Number 4 in its “Ten Best New Christmas Albums’’ of 2019, Number 8 in Better Homes and Gardens’ “New Christmas Albums We’ll Have on Repeat All December Long,’’ and the top 14 “New Christmas Albums Coming out This Year That’ll Be The Soundtrack to Your Holiday’’ in Good Housekeeping.
It also received four stars in DownBeat magazine, which is a huge honor. People can buy it anywhere! Amazon, iTunes, Apple Music, etc. You can also go to www.brynnstanley.com and click on the “Listen” button at the top of the page.
MG: What does Brynn Stanley have planned for 2020?
Brynn Stanley: Getting Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer out of my head! There is already talk of another album. I will keep you in the loop.
MG: More specifically, what are you doing on New Year’s Eve?
Brynn Stanley: I’ll be singing What Are You Doing New Years Eve at a beautiful venue called Natirar in Gladstone, NJ. I’m fortunate to perform with Alan Gerber on piano, Rick Crane on bass and Jay Dittamo on drums. The “Great Gatsby” themed New Year’s Eve party will make it a very special and classy night!
MG: Have yourself a very Musical Christmas, Brynn, and a Jazzy New Year!
Brynn Stanley: Thank you so much, Kevin. All the best to you and I hope you have a Classic Christmas. See what I did there?
Brynn Stanley will perform songs from Classic Christmas at Shanghai Jazz in Madison on Friday, Dec. 20, 2019; at an album launch party at Birdland in New York on Sunday, Dec. 22; and at Rod’s Steakhouse in Morris Township on Saturday, Dec. 28.
