Two months after dropping her newest album in 10 years, The Gift of Love, actress/singer Jennifer Hudson will be taking her new holiday album to the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 18. After taking an unofficial hiatus from releasing music due to other obligations to theater and film, Hudson recently made her return to music. However, it’s less of a return and more of a reaffirmation of her vocal prowess, where just about everything she’s done for the past two decades directly ties back to music in one way or another. To top it all off, doing so while performing Christmas classics is the kind of show that’s bound to be a showcase for Hudson and a great way to countdown to the holidays.

Although tickets are sold out for the show, we have a pair of tickets tucked away in our Christmas stocking to give away. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram to find out when we drop the giveaway.

Words: David Sosa

One of the most celebrated artists

Jennifer Hudson is one of those performers who has made a name for each and every artistic industry one could take on. Her EGOT status, which she achieved at 40 years old in 2022, making her the youngest female artist to reach it, speaks for itself. But when broken down, it presents a broad spectrum of her talents, whether it be winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Effie White in “Dreamgirls” or winning a Grammy for Best R&B Album.

As a performer, she has commanded some of the biggest stages, having played everywhere from Central Park to the Hollywood Bowl. Of course, the combination of her acting chops and musical prowess helps bolster her stage presence, having performed on Broadway for plays such as “The Color Purple.” Considering she was first introduced as a contestant on “American Idol” in 2004, she’s packed the last two decades with so many accomplishments there’s not enough time to go through them all.

A long-anticipated album

Although this is likely not the last time Hudson will tour The Gift of Love, it does mark the end of a hiatus that never felt long due to how busy she’s been for the past few years. Ten years ago, she dropped JHUD, her third full-length album, which grabbed several nominations across multiple ceremonies. However, her follow-up would not come until this year, choosing to focus on other ventures ranging from “The Color Purple” revival to portraying Aretha Franklin in the 2021 biopic, “Respect.”

To make her return with a Christmas album, while a unique decision, does signal the high point she’s reached in her career. Typically, holiday-centered music is reserved for the small field of superstars who have already accomplished more than what entire generations of artists achieve. That could be said for Hudson, who chose to make her comeback with 10 covers and four original songs. Of those covers, she goes through a wide span of material released throughout time, including Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and holiday classics like “Winter Wonderland” and “Jingle Bells.” All of that to say, she’s returned with a more than promising effort that only further cements her decorated career.

A unique holiday concert

Hudson may not be what comes to mind concerning the holiday season (unlike Mariah Carey), but her talents are more than enough to deliver a concert that’s unlike any other happening in December or the near future. The Gift of Love on its own stands as a wide-ranging collection of tracks that attracts audiences of all ages. For adults, hearing her interpretation of songs such as “Hallelujah” is sure to put any remaining doubt over her capabilities as a vocalist to rest. For children, hearing holiday mainstays performed by an artist like Hudson is enough to win them over — if not, the free hot cocoa should do the trick. Through and through, this is the sort of centerpiece show that makes the Hall an ideal venue to spend the holidays.

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While Hudson will surely deliver a show-stopping performance, that’s not to say the festivities have to stop with her. Ahead of Hudson’s concert, Leslie Odom Jr. will bring his Christmas Tour to the Hall on Dec. 1. A couple of weeks after his performance, join the LA Phil for a Holiday Sing-Along, the perfect way to celebrate with the whole family on Dec. 14. From Dec. 21 and 22 or catch “Home Alone” live in concert, which takes the original movie and creates a unique celebration of music and cinema.