Four years after making her recording debut with an original holiday track, NYC jazz singer, songwriter and performer puts an exclamation point (this time with a bow!) on another groundbreaking year with her sensual and stylish, hip yet retro twist on the Eartha Kitt originated classic “Santa Baby.”
Opening with a playful scat intro, Angel weaves her dreamy, inviting spell over the supple grooves and tasty retro vibes of arranger, producer, keyboardist Jason Miles and a handful of veteran NYC musicians who have been part of Rebecca’s vibe since the start. These include electric guitarist Jonah Prendergast, acoustic bassist Reggie Washington, drummer Brian Dunne. Creating a magical father-daughter dynamic, the track also features a swanky flugelhorn solo by Rebecca’s father, Billboard charting recording artist Dennis Angel.
Following up her critically acclaimed 2018 debut EP What We Had, “Santa Baby” is Rebecca’s third single of 2019. She started the year with airplay on numerous U.S. and Japanese jazz stations with “Thoughts and Prayers,” a socially conscious reflection and call to action in the wake of far too many mass school shootings. The singer followed that by tapping into her ongoing passion for Bossa nova music with “Summer Song,” a tune whose deeply reflective lyrics belied the lighthearted vibe of the music.
“The first single I ever released in 2015 was an original Christmas song titled ‘My Favorite Time of Year,’ so I thought it might be cool this time to create a unique update an older, classic tune instead,” Rebecca says. “Last year, I performed it during my holiday shows in Burlington, VT and Westchester, NY and I loved the warm vibe and the overwhelming audience response. I thought it was special in the sense that all the other Santa themed songs speak of him in a loving, childlike way and this song is cheeky and very much geared towards adults. I’ve always loved the melody as well, and it’s one of the few Christmas songs that’s not overdone. It stands out above so many of the other songs we hear every year, and was exciting to find a fun new way to do it.”