Christmas classics get a fresh musical treatment as Welsh-born singer-songwriter Judith Owen returns with Judith Owen Swings Christmas Holiday Deluxe, an expanded collection that brings together the timeless charm of festive music and the vibrant sounds of jazz and swing.
Now based in New Orleans, Owen has developed a distinctive approach to seasonal music, drawing on the city’s rich musical heritage to give familiar Christmas favourites a renewed sense of character. The new deluxe edition takes this festive collection even further, introducing four additional recordings that explore both the energy of big band arrangements and the intimacy of acoustic performances.
Among the new additions are deluxe versions of I’ll Be Home For Christmas and Christmas Waltz, as well as acoustic interpretations of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and No Better Time. Each recording offers a different perspective on the festive repertoire, highlighting the versatility and warmth at the heart of Owen’s musical style.
The original Judith Owen Swings Christmas, released in 2024, brought together seven big band interpretations of Christmas standards alongside seven previously released festive recordings. Updated and remastered, the collection celebrated the nostalgia of holiday music while introducing a distinctly New Orleans-inspired swing.
With 18 tracks, the Holiday Deluxe edition moves effortlessly between lively seasonal numbers and more intimate moments. From the playful energy of Cool Yule and Run Rudolph Run to the enduring appeal of Winter Wonderland and The Christmas Song, the album offers a varied selection for the festive season.
Rather than simply revisiting familiar Christmas songs, Owen gives them a fresh musical identity through thoughtful arrangements and her unmistakable jazz sensibility. The result is a collection that celebrates the traditions of Christmas while embracing the spontaneity and sophistication of swing.
Judith Owen Swings Christmas Holiday Deluxe is out now on streaming platforms.
