Internationally recognized musician, Cornell Thigpen, released the highly anticipated debut album, A Different Christmas, just in time for the holiday season. This album will be available online to everyone waiting to get their hands on it, starting Tuesday, December 3rd. Thigpen co-produced the album with Michael Houston, whose melodic and instrumental sounds can also be heard on the project. To commemorate this accomplishment, Thigpen hosted the album release concert, which took place November 22, 2013, in Chicago at the Bright Star Church.
After traveling the world as the musical director and musician for Grammy Award Winners: Chaka Khan, Kenneth “Baby Face” Edmonds, The Isley Brothers, Stevie Nicks, Bebe and CeCe Winans, Kirk Franklin, and Mary J. Blige; Thigpen integrated his global influences to orchestrate a musical masterpiece of familiar Christmas carols.
Thigpen expressed, “I was inspired to do a Christmas instrumental album because I truly believe that music can be stretched and expanded to explore how we can evolve the carols to stay interesting. I’m excited to travel the country to see the reaction and vibe people have to the new Christmas music.”
Thigpen boasts over one million views on YouTube with hundreds of videos attesting to his undeniable musical talent and abilities. Multi-Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award Winner Fred Hammond affirms, “Cornell is not just a musician but one who connects with the listener!”
Listeners will hear the sounds of popular Christmas carols: “The Christmas Song”, “Silent Night,” “Oh Holy Night,” “Little Drummer Boy,” and “Deck The Halls,” however, these songs are musically interpreted from a place of inner harmony that will cause the listener to have an enjoyable experience.
The “A Different Christmas Tour” is scheduled to visit the following cities: Indianapolis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Nashville, Mississippi, Atlanta, and Alabama. Cornell Thigpen will perform selections from the album along with guest appearances from well-known bassist, Bernard Harris (Aaron Neville, Mandisa, TobyMac).
For more about Cornell Thigpen, please visit www.cornellthigpen.com
ABOUT CORNELL THIGPEN
Thigpen became determined to pursue a career as a professional musician after he was invited to be the featured musician for his school’s program. He later progressed to become the musical director and composer for his church band, and then to producing, composing, and arranging music for many artists abroad. From that time forward, Cornell has been busy playing live concerts, as well as recordings with top artists and musicians. He has gained a well-earned reputation for excellence, as well as the respect of the music industry for being one of the most creative musicians in the world. Cornell’s extensive music career includes tours worldwide, as well as appearances on shows and events such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The View, PBS, and The Chicago Bulls Championship parade.
