NEED TO KNOW
Jason Mraz is releasing Grandma’s Gospel Favorites, a gospel album he originally recorded as a gift for his grandmother
The album features gospel classics, two original songs and contributions from longtime collaborators and renowned instrumentalists
Mraz will perform songs from his catalog on his Still Yours Tour starting May 12
Jason Mraz is revisiting a deeply personal chapter of his musical past, and PEOPLE has all the exclusive details.
The two-time Grammy winner is readying the drop of his ninth studio album, Grandma’s Gospel Favorites.
It’s an LP he originally recorded nearly two decades ago, in 2007, as a Christmas gift for his beloved grandmother, “Nanny Raz.” The project is now being shared publicly for the first time in honor of the late Mary Helen Mraz-Fowler, and arrives on May 8 — just in time for Mother’s Day.
“My grandmother asked me to make her a gospel album, so I did,” Mraz said.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Jason Mraz’s new album, ‘Grandma’s Gospel Favorites’
Credit: Interrabang/BMG
The collection draws from some of the singer-songwriter’s earliest musical influences, rooted in the hymns and gospel songs he heard growing up in rural Virginia. The album features his take on classics like “Old Rugged Cross” and “It Is No Secret,” along with a bluegrass-leaning rendition of “Turn Your Radio On,” complete with mandolin, upright bass and rich harmonies.
Mraz’s version of the 1905 hymn “His Eye Is On The Sparrow” leads the release, while other standout tracks include “Daddy Sang Bass,” popularized by Johnny Cash, and “Never Grow Old,” a song also recorded by Aretha Franklin and Jim Reeves. The album also nods to Elvis Presley through its inclusion of “It Is No Secret” and “Evening Prayer,” both songs that “The King” famously recorded.
Longtime collaborator Noel “Toca” Rivera lends background vocals throughout, while Andy Powers of Taylor Guitars contributes instrumentation including mandolin, banjo, dobro and pedal steel. Ray Suen rounds out the sound with string arrangements performed on violin and viola.
In addition to the traditional material, Mraz wrote two original songs for the project: “Peach Pie,” a playful, uptempo track inspired by squirrels invading his peach tree, and “When We Die (You Are Loved),” a tender acoustic reflection on life and what comes after.
The track list for Grandma’s Gospel Favorites is as follows:
“His Eye Is On The Sparrow”
“When We Die (You Are Loved)”
“God Be With You (Til We Meet Again)”
Jason Mraz
Credit: Shervin Lainez
The release adds another layer to a career that has spanned more than two decades. Mraz, best known for hits like “I’m Yours” and “I Won’t Give Up,” has earned two Grammy Awards and a place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Beyond music, he’s also dedicated time to philanthropy through his Jason Mraz Foundation, which supports inclusive arts education and equality initiatives.
In recent years, Mraz has continued to expand his reach. He released his eighth studio album, Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride, in 2023, competed on season 32 of Dancing with the Stars — finishing in second place — and in 2017, made his Broadway debut as Dr. Pomatter in Waitress.
Fans will soon be able to hear songs from across his catalog live when he launches the East Coast leg of his Still Yours Tour on May 12. The solo acoustic run will feature a retrospective setlist spanning his career.
Meanwhile, Mraz is also spotlighting another artist’s journey in the upcoming documentary The Opener. The film follows musician Philip Labes, who built an audience online during the pandemic before catching Mraz’s attention and joining him on tour.
A screening hosted by the Grammy Museum is set for April 27 in Los Angeles, with Mraz, Labes and the filmmakers participating in a Q&A and special acoustic performance.
Grandma’s Gospel Favorites is available for preorder now.
Read the original article on People
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
