The Soul of Santa Christmas Album pays homage to Kansas City’s holiday music heritage
The Soul of Santa album art / Courtesy of Shawn Edwards
This Friday, Nov 3, The Soul of Santa “Do Good” Foundation is releasing a soundtrack to play during their 5th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies.
Founded by Tucker Lott, The Soul of Santa Do Good Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects high-functioning individuals with disabilities from lower to moderate-income families to resources including workforce development, transportation, and more.
Executive-produced by Shawn Edwards, the album was inspired by Lott’s late daughter Aria Camille who battled epilepsy and had aspirations of becoming a professional singer. The album features six original Christmas songs by Aria Camille, all produced by Grammy-nominated producer Joseph “Jo Blaq” Macklin.
The Soul of Santa album art // Courtesy of Shawn Edwards
While producing the album, Edwards was largely inspired by the Black Christmas albums he listened to in his childhood like A Very Special Christmas which featured “Christmas in Hollis” by Run DMC, “Do You Hear What I Hear” by Whitney Houston, and “Winter Wonderland” by Eurythmics. He decided to take that same approach and pay homage to Kansas City.
The 12-track soundtrack is studded with local talent including rappers Xta-C and Roblo da Star, gospel icon Andrea Tribitt, and jazz singer Paula Saunders. It also offers a rich display of Kansas City’s musical heritage featuring a mix of jazz, blues, gospel, and hip hop.
“There’s something on this album for everybody. It’s so Kansas City it’ll make Charlie Parker and Charlie Hustle blush,” says Edwards.
Edwards hopes that this becomes an annual tradition and has already begun working on the second Soul of Santa album as well as a Soul of Santa movie script.
“Who knows one of these days it could be the official soundtrack to the movie you go see at AMC one day or watch on Netlix,” says Edwards.
Ahead of the release on Friday, a listening party will be held on Thursday Nov. 2 at the Blue Room in the historic 18th and Vine district where featured artists will perform their songs on the album.
The 5th annual Soul of Santa Christmas tree lighting ceremonies will take place on Friday, Dec 1 at the 18th and Vine Historic Jazz District and Friday, Dec 8 at the Shops of Blue Parkway.
The Soul of Santa album art // Courtesy of Shawn Edwards
