Ginea „Adi“ Wolf & Jan Lulay – The Secret Of Christmas“ – The Christmas concert

Swinging and grooving Christmas classics from the Great American Songbook, gospel highlights and profound spirituals take the listener on a groovy journey through time with the finest acoustic Christmas jazz, blues and gospel between New Orleans, Memphis and New York. Together with Bermuda-born singer Ginea Adi Wolf, pianist Jan Luley presents a Christmas concert evening for young and old to feel good, sing along and enjoy.

After just a few bars, the listener knows that this is a fantastic singer from the good old days – with swing and a good dose of soul, with humour and energy and a special voice and charisma. Ginea “Adi” Wolf was born in Bermuda and lived in London for several years before coming to Germany through engagements in various musicals. The singer, songwriter and actress, who is also an expressive painter, is regarded as “the voice to be heard”, as the magazine “L’Afritude” wrote.

Ginea’s voice is sometimes strong and commanding, then again melodically gentle; always present and haunting. In her large repertoire of jazz, blues, soul and rock standards as well as her own impressive songs, you can clearly recognise the influences of timeless names on the scene such as Deitra Farr, Oleta Adams, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughan, Eva Cassidy and India Arie. Ginea Wolf effortlessly joins the ranks of those fascinating singers who light up the stage with the first bars of a song.

Her career is characterised by numerous appearances and leading roles in films and musicals, such as the leading role of Billie Holiday in “The Billie Holiday Story” or in “Tina Turner”, “Showboat” and “Jesus Christ Superstar”. In 2012, she sang at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in London at Trafalgar Square.

Jan Luley has performed his melodic and groovy piano style at over 2500 concerts in 18 European countries as well as in Africa and the USA. His piano playing can be heard on 21 albums; international touring projects have brought him on stage with countless US artists. He has been organising group tours to New Orleans since 2006. In 2011, Jan Luley received a certificate from Mitchell Landrieu, the mayor of New Orleans at the time, in recognition of his services to the musical tradition and musicians in New Orleans. In addition to his musical career, Jan Luley is active as an artistic director and consultant for festivals, concerts and music workshops.

Christmas is always a very special time musically in the USA. Deep emotions of old spirituals and great Christmas classics alternate with hip-shaking rhythms and easy swinging Christmas songs from the Great American Songbook. In the deep American South, Santa Claus puts a good dollop of Tabasco sauce on his Christmas breakfast and then dances the Lindy Hop with his reindeer. Ginea Wolf and Jan Luley share a love of music along the banks of the Mississippi. Their Christmas programme “The Secret Of Christmas” presents the songs that should not be missed.

Seated concert