Time Traveler Nnenna Freelon

• 1 I Say a Little Prayer 05:06
• 2 Marvin Medley: If This World Were Mine / Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing / Ain't No Mountain High Enough 06:04
• 3 Just You 05:31
• 4 Betcha by Golly Wow 04:53
• 5 Time in a Bottle 06:59
• 6 You Make Me Feel Brand New 05:05
• 7 Moon River 05:56
• 8 Time After Time 04:58
• 9 Come Rain or Come Shine 04:48
• 10 Time Traveler 04:29
• 11 Time Traveler (Reprise) 03:17
• Total Runtime 57:06

Info for Time Traveler

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.

"Vocalist Nnenna Freelon has always had a powerful instrument, but rarely, if ever, has she employed that voice in such an intimate way. Freelon recorded Time Traveler following the loss of her husband, Phil, an accomplished architect who led the design of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. On Time Traveler, the Grammy-winner wastes no time in grabbing your attention and pulling you in close. Freelon takes us to church with one of the most riveting versions of “Say A Little Prayer For You” that these ears have ever heard. Her vocals are pure, powerful magic. She pays tribute to her lost love throughout the 11-tune program with such songs as “Betcha By Golly Wow,” featuring a beautiful saxophone solo by Kirk Whalum, and Jim Croce’s “Time In A Bottle,” given an interesting arrangement by Miki Hayama. She ruminates over old chestnuts like “Moon River,” “Time After Time” and “Come Rain Or Come Shine,” which certainly have a personal connection. You can feel her loss as well as the joy of her memories. There are moments of indulgence here, but they are certainly understood and worth the trip to hear Freelon’s voice ache on “Just You,” for example. Anyone who has experienced loss can understand where she’s coming from as she tells us that her loss hurts, but also gives the sense that she’s going to be OK." (Frank Alkyer, DownBeat)

Nnenna Freelon, vocals
Miki Hayama, piano (tracks 1,3,5,7,8), Fender Rhodes (tracks 2, 4, 9), synthesizer (tracks 2, 8)
Chuckey Robinson, keyboards (tracks 10, 11)
Brandon McCune, Hammond Organ (tracks 1, 3)
Keith Ganz, guitar (tracks 2-6,8-11)
Noah Jackson, acoustic bass (tracks 1,3-5,7,9)
Gerald Veasley, electric bass (tracks 2, 8)
Lance Scott, electric bass (tracks 10, 11)
E.J. Strickland, drums (tracks 1, 3-5, 7, 9)
Adonis Rose, drums (tracks 2, 8)
Jon Curry, drums (tracks 10, 11)
Beverly Botsford, percussion (tracks 2, 4, 8)
Trineice Robinson-Martin, background vocal (track 1)
Kirk Whalum, tenor saxophone, flute (track 4)
Shana Tucker, cello (5)

Nnenna Freelon
Multi GRAMMY® Award nominee Nnenna Freelon is known worldwide as a compelling and captivating live performer. Recently, Nnenna starred in the critically acclaimed show "Georgia on My Mind: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles" - no stranger to the music of the master singer - she toured with Ray Charles, as well as many other greatest jazz artists including Ellis Marsalis, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Earl Klugh, Take 6, and others.

Accolades and awards have abounded - performances at The White House, headlining the Asia Pacific Economic Summit for 300 Presidents, Premiers and Heads of State, receiving the YWCA of North Carolina's inaugural "Legend Award" for her outstanding artistry and her dedication to education, and so much more.

Educating young people, both musicians and non-musicians, and students of all ages has propelled her advocacy - Nnenna toured the United States as the National Spokesperson for Partners in Education. Her master classes and workshops, from "Sound Sculpture" to the ground-breaking "Babysong," teach adults and children that you too can change the world - even one person at a time - with her anthem "One Child at a Time" found on her "Soulcall" recording. From Partners in Education to the United Way, Freelon has been a tireless advocate and fundraiser for education and arts causes.

In the midst of a burgeoning activity schedule, 2019 and 2020 also brought profound challenges and loss. In 2019, Nnenna's husband for 40 years, renowned architect Phil Freelon, passed away after his battle with ALS. Within six months, Nnenna's sister, Dr. Debbie Pierce, passed away from cancer.

In her efforts to find her voice amidst these challenges Nnenna has begun to emerge with new ways to share her feelings, express her experiences - a new podcast called Great Grief and a new recording, her first studio outing in 12 years entitled Time Traveler are slated for release on Origin Records in the spring of 2021.

From Nnenna's turn in What Women Want (featuring her hit If I Had You) starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt to her own production (as writer/composer, singer/actress, producer) of the theatrical musical play "The Clothesline Muse," to her triumphant role in composer Laura Karpman's undertaking of Langston Hughes' "Ask Your Mama" at The Apollo Theater and at The Hollywood Bowl with opera superstar Jessye Norman and the indie phenom band The Roots, she continues to wow audiences at SRO shows - even as she embarks on new avenues.

This album contains no booklet.