Vocalist Nnenna Freelon has always had a powerful instrument, but rarely, if ever, has she employed that voice in such an intimate way.
2022 GRAMMY NOMINEE - BEST VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM
Multi-Grammy nominated vocal artist Nnenna Freelon is back, delivering her eleventh album after a decade-long hiatus from the studio. With Time Traveler, she offers a celebration of love and a prayer of hope for those living with loss. The sessions for the album stretched over two years, between 2018 and 2020, coinciding with the loss of Freelon's soulmate and husband of forty years, Phil Freelon, to ALS. Freelon draws from her & Phil's shared love of jazz and rhythm and blues, to step through an imagined doorway where past, present and future collide. From the album's centerpiece, a medley of Marvin Gaye classics, to standards such as "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "Moon River," or her self-penned title song, Freelon reminds us of the grace and elegance that naturally accompanies her approach to interpreting melody. Inspired by her emotive glances to the past, and soulful presence in the here and now, she paints a portrait of reverence and gratitude for the gift of love that permeates every aspect of the human condition.
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Nnenna Freelon - Vocals
Miki Hayama - Piano (1,3,5,7,8), Fender Rhodes (2,4,9), Synthesizer (2,8)
Chuckey Robinson - Keyboards (10,11)
Brandon McCune - Hammond Organ (1,3)
Keith Ganz - Guitar (2-6,8-11)
Noah Jackson - Acoustic Bass (1,3-5,7,9)
Gerald Veasley - Electric Bass (2,8)
Lance Scott - Electric Bass (10,11)
E.J. Strickland - Drums (1,3-5,7,9)
Adonis Rose - Drums (2,8)
Jon Curry - Drums (10,11)
Beverly Botsford - Percussion (2,4,8)
Trineice Robinson-Martin - Background Vocal (1)
Kirk Whalum - Tenor Saxophone, Flute (4)
Shana Tucker - Cello (5)
Produced by Nnenna Freelon
Musical Director: Miki Hayama
Mixing and Additional Production by Jason Richmond at Slipstream Studios, Hillsborough, NC
Recorded at Manifold Recording, Pittsboro, NC, and Overdub Lane, Durham, NC
March 13-15, 2018, August 20, 2020 and September 3, 2020
Overdub Lane Durham, NC October 24, 2019 Manifold Studios Pittsboro, NC
Mixed at Overdub Lane Durham, NC
Recording Engineers: Jason Richmond (1-6,8-11), Ian Schreier (1,3-5,7,9) Tom Tedesco (1-3,8), John Plymale (2,8)
Mastered by Kim Rosen at Knack Mastering, Ringwood, NJ
Cover Design & Layout: John Bishop
Photography: Chris Charles
Clothing Stylist: Katina Bryson
Makeup: Sharon Davis
Hairstylist: Anes El
Henna and Face Artist: Shemora Sheik