Songs of Joy & Peace Shannon Gaye Vancouver-based singer/percussionist Shannon Gaye is excited to perform material from her new Christmas CD “Songs of Joy & Peace” as part of the Jazz Vespers concert series. Having had the good fortune to tour across Canada every Christmas season for many years as a performer in the Huron Carole, Shannon has compiled a collection of songs she’s performed on tour as well as a few of her personal favourites for this album. This is Shannon’s sixth CD; she’s been logging time in the studio writing, singing and producing since she was a teenager.  Shannon co-produced “Songs of Joy & Peace” with her main collaborator, gifted multi-instrumentalist and producer Kristian Alexandrov, who is as comfortable behind a drum set as he is playing piano. Shannon & Kristian set out to create an intimate, classic Christmas CD with piano and voice as the driving force.  From jazz-infused tunes like “The Christmas Song” and “Christmas Time is Here” to the bluesy sass of “Merry Christmas Baby” and the gospel fervour of “Do You Hear What I Hear”, Shannon is in full command of her voice.  The hymn “Breath of Heaven” and original song “Winterlude” are perfect for a snowy winter’s eve, haunting and ethereal. “I wanted to record a Christmas CD featuring songs in the genres that I explore in my own original music - Soul, R&B and Jazz.  I couldn’t resist adding a couple of traditional carols because they’re so beautifully written and challenging to sing,” Shannon explains. Shannon happened upon the title for this CD, “Songs of Joy & Peace”, as she was driving home and Joni Mitchell’s iconic tune “The River” came on the radio.  The evocative opening phrase seemed a perfect fit: It’s coming on Christmas, they’re cutting down trees putting up reindeer and singing Songs of Joy & Peace www.shannongaye.com The Christmas Song (CBC Special):    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7acjVZd1CWc Merry Christmas Baby (Huron Carole Christmas Tour):    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wRZ46FY1Fo