Featuring a GRAMMY® and Tony award-winner of Broadway — and specifically “Hamilton” — fame, you will want to be in the room where it happens as mega-talented singer, actor, and songwriter, Leslie Odom, Jr. joins the Nashville Symphony to deliver orchestrated versions of beloved Christmas, Broadway, and popular music hits. Thrill to Odom’s vocal prowess, stage presence, and genuine charm Wednesday, December 11 and Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 7:30 PM at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Nashville Symphony will be conducted by Ron Spigelman.
Odom is best known for his breakout role as ‘Aaron Burr’ in the smash hit Broadway musical “Hamilton,” for which he won the Tony Award for “Best Actor in a Musical” and a Grammy Award as a principal soloist on the original cast recording. He continues to captivate audiences in a filmed performance of the original Broadway production of “Hamilton” on Disney+.
He made his Broadway debut in RENT at the age of 17. He also starred opposite Lin-Manuel Miranda and Karen Olivo in a 2014 City Center Encores! revival of Jonathan Larson’s “Tick, Tick…Boom!” Odom returned to Broadway in 2023, playing the title role in “Purlie Victorious” for which he earned a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play nomination. The filmed version premiered Friday, May 24, 2024 on PBS as part of their “Great Performances” series.
Leslie has released five albums: “Leslie Odom Jr.” (2014), “Simply Christmas” (2016), “Mr.” (2019), “The Christmas Album” (2020), and “When a Crooner Dies” (2023).
He starred alongside Cynthia Erivo in the Harriet Tubman biopic “Harriet (2019).” Odom can also be heard voicing the character of “Owen Tillerman” in Josh Gad’s animated musical-comedy series “Central Park,” which premiered on Apple TV+, for which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
His other upcoming and recent projects include the film adaptation of the Olivier Award-nominated play “One Night in Miami” (2020), directed by Regina King, where he portrays and performs the original songs of legendary singer Sam Cooke. For his role as singer Sam Cooke, he earned nominations for the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Additional credits include 32 television shows, including “Abbott Elementary,” “Person of Interest,” “Gotham,” “Smash,” and 13 films, among them “Murder on the Orient Express,” “Only,” “Red Tails,” “Music,” and “Needle in A Timestack.”
In March 2018, Odom Jr. added the title of author to his resume with the release of his book – “Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher and Never Stop Learning.” Written in the style of a commencement speech, the book brings together what Odom has learned in life so far, tapping into universal themes of starting something new, following your passions, discovering your own potential, and surrounding yourself with the right people. “Failing Up” is about unlocking your true potential and making your dreams come true even when it seems impossible. The 200 page book was published by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers, and is available to borrow free now at your Nashville Public Library, along with many of the film and TV projects listed in this article.
Enjoy “Big Band Holidays: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra” on Friday, December 13, 2024 at 7:30pm in your Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
The pride of NYC, Jazz at Lincoln Center swings to the Schermerhorn with full band and featuring vocalists Ekep Nkwelle and Robbie Lee to perform jazz-infused big band versions of your favorite holiday songs. Featured artists: Chris Crenshaw, Music Director, Trombone, The Golkin Family Chair | Ryan Kisor, Trumpet | Kenny Rampton, Trumpet | Marcus Printup, Trumpet | Michael Rodriguez, Trumpet | Elliot Mason, Trombone | Dion Tucker, Trombone | Sherman Irby, Alto And Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet | Alexa Tarantino, Alto And Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet | Chris Lewis, Tenor And Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet | Abdias Armenteros, Tenor And Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet, The Zou Family Chair In Saxophone | Paul Nedzela, Baritone And Soprano Saxophones, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet | Dan Nimmer, Piano, The Zou Family Chair In Piano | Carlos Henriquez, Bass, The Mandel Family Chair in honor of Kathleen B. Mandel and Obed Calvaire, Drums Presented without the Nashville Symphony. NOTE: Wynton Marsalis will not perform at this concert.
