Leslie Odom, Jr. Photo courtesy of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Leslie Odom, Jr., jazz recording artist, composer, author, and star of stage, film, and television, returned to Baltimore for a program of holiday music in the new “Live at the Meyerhoff” series of solo concerts. He last appeared here in 2023 for a program featuring some of the hit songs of Nat King Cole, whom he honored in a 2015 benefit performance for the Actors Fund of America. He has recorded six solo albums, two of which are Christmas albums, and is featured on the soundtrack albums of three Broadway shows and one movie. Leslie Odom, Jr. won a Tony, a GRAMMY, and was nominated for an Emmy (on Disney+) for his performance as Aaron Burr in the 2015 musical, “Hamilton.” He just completed a return engagement in the Broadway production over the past few months.
Odom has wonderfully adapted and orchestrated his material to the modern sound that his fans have come to expect.
Before the concert began, the stage setting indicated that this was not going to be a typical holiday performance. There were vertical and horizontal rows of spotlights attached to metal frameworks shaped like Christmas trees. The initial purple backlighting of stage curtains and multiple spotlights at the top of the proscenium also predicted a different type of experience. Odom has artfully adjusted his vocal talents to the pop-rock-soul genres without losing the jazz style for which he first became known in concert.
The opening number exceeded all expectations. His back-up musicians (guitarist, keyboardist, drummer, and bass player, whose names, unfortunately, were not in the program notes) entered the dark stage with Odom, who was dressed entirely in black, with a black cape and dark glasses. The spotlights projected upwards to reveal smoke as video projections of modern designs appeared on the hall ceiling. Odom and the band remained in the shadows as he sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” He then introduced the band members and referenced the unfortunate cancellation of his first Christmas tour due to Covid restrictions.
The audience, filled with fans of all ages, shouted and waved acclamation after each number. The program mixed familiar holiday tunes with modern selections whose titles were not announced in the program notes or from the stage, but were obviously known to many. Highlights included a soulful jazz version of “My Favorite Things,” “The Christmas Song,” and “The First Noel.” Odom has a very strong high tenor and falsetto voice which reminded this reviewer of Smokey Robinson. His vocal range is wide, and he uses it to advantage, especially in holding high and low notes with amazing breath control.
Each band member was given many opportunities to offer solo performance within the program. The quality of their performances was of such expertise that their playing added as much to the concert as the singing, especially in the ensemble version of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” In fact, they did sing, not only background vocals, but stood with Odom at center stage to form a quintet for a choral version of the spiritual “Jesus Gave Us Water.”
Odom has wonderfully adapted and orchestrated his material to the modern sound that his fans have come to expect. From his version of “O Tannenbaum” sung in German to Gounod’s “Ave Maria” sung in Latin, each selection offered a unique take on a holiday favorite. He demonstrated his skill as an actor with a dramatic recitation of “The Night Before Christmas.” The final selection was a lovely version of The Carpenters’ “Merry Christmas, Darling.” The audience rose to their feet with appreciation, and Odom responded with several encores, including fan favorite “Wait For It,” his show-stopping song from “Hamilton,” and a final “I Wish You Love” sung simply and beautifully.
Running Time: One hour and 15 minutes with no intermission.
“Leslie Odom, Jr. – The Christmas Tour” was performed on November 29, 2025, at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral Street, Baltimore MD. For more information and to purchase tickets for future events, please contact the Box Office at 410-783-8000, Tuesday through Friday, 10 am – 5 pm; and Saturday/Sunday, noon-5 pm (The Box Office is also open one hour before the performance through intermission for walk-up sales), or go online.
