The Christmas Message
The Christmas Message is an album by saxophonist Kirk Whalum issued in 2001 on Warner Bros. Records. The album reached No. 14 on the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and No. 27 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart. The album was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Album at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards in 2003.
Critical reception
Paula Edelstein of AllMusic wrote "This holiday collection is commensurate with Whalum's previous inspirational and spirited instrumental offering, Hymns in the Garden, in that it offers a wonderful visitation to classic songs with a very different approach and touch."Personnel
- Kirk Whalum – soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, synthesizer programming, computer programming
- John Stoddart – lead and backing vocals, keyboards, acoustic piano, synthesizer programming, computer programming
- Michael Ripoll – acoustic guitars, electric guitars, nylon guitar
- Phil Keaggy – electric guitar, nylon-string acoustic guitar
- David Santos – electric bass
- Kyle Whalum – electric bass, beatbox vocal
- Sean McCurley – drums
- John Santos – percussion
- Kevin Whalum – lead and backing vocals
- Cyndee Peters – backing vocals, lead vocals
Production
- Kirk Whalum – producer, arrangements
- John Stoddart – producer, arrangements
- Ed Simonton – engineer, mixing
- Victor Caldwell – mixing, additional engineer, mastering
- Jared Byers – assistant engineer
- James Felver – assistant engineer
- Neal Garon – assistant engineer
- Kori Whalum – assistant engineer
- The Master's Lab – mastering location
- Kimberly B. Eason – production coordinator
- Mark Larson – design, digital artwork
- Richard Lee – photography