Leon Lacey is known as a talented producer, songwriter, composer and playwright. He’s worked with the crème of the crop in Gospel and ministry circles including Hezekiah Walker, JJ Hairston and Bishop TD Jakes. Now Lacey is presenting his Christmas musical, Freshly Orchestrated Christmas, to ring in the holiday season. Featuring Gospel artists Kim Burrell, Tye Tribbett, James Hall and The Singing Sensations, the one-night only event will be presented on Tuesday, December 10, 2013.
Freshly Orchestrated Christmas is a unique musical retelling of the classic Christmas story. Lacey says, “Through this musical presentation, I want to show people the vastness and relevance music has to offer. An orchestra is just as cool as a rock star, and orchestral music, urban or traditional, promotes education”. In addition to the stunning orchestral performances, the annual concert is a benefit for Lacey’s Never Say I Can’t Performing Arts Center. Many will enjoy not only the dynamic performances from the guest artists, but also the different styles and unique arrangements scored by Leon Lacey, who’s the conductor for the evening.
The night’s performance is highlighted by the Urban Orchestra, also known as The Freshly Orchestrated Music Society. Formed 4 years ago, the forty instrumentalists consist of players who are music teachers, performing artists, and students (including exchange students). The orchestra members hail from all parts of the United States and the world including Europe, South America, The West Indies, Japan and Korea.
The vision for Freshly Orchestrated Christmas came to Lacey after Kim Burrell asked him to orchestrate 5 Christmas shows at Lincoln Center in New York City. With each performance a rousing success, Lacey wanted to bring the experience to the Washington, D.C. area. Lacey, who has known Tye Tribbett for over 15 years, was excited to have the Gospel trailblazer as a part of the event, too. In fact, Lacey was the orchestral arranger on Tribbett’s latest CD, Greater Than.
He says, “The Freshly Orchestrated Christmas Show is like experiencing what a movie soundtrack sounds like performed live with one of the world’s greatest vocalists, Kim Burrell. Also, the energy of Tye Tribbett combined with the power of a full orchestra accompanying his popular hit songs such as ‘Victory’, ‘He Turned It’, and ‘If He Did It Before’ will leave the audience clamoring for more.”
