“In a world of pretenders, Carmen Lundy is a genuine Jazz Singer”
- The … Read Full Bio ↴“In a world of pretenders, Carmen Lundy is a genuine Jazz Singer”
- The Evening Standard

Carmen Lundy began her professional career in Miami, FL as a jazz vocalist and composer when there were very few young, gifted and aspiring jazz vocalists on the horizon. Over four decades later, Ms. Lundy is celebrated throughout the world for her vocal artistry and is highly regarded for her jazz innovation.

Currently on the Afrasia Productions label, Carmen is releasing her 14th album in the Fall of 2014. Almost two years in the making, “Soul To Soul” consists of new original songs by Lundy, and a few very special collaborations. The album features legendary artists - specialists on their respective instruments - including Patrice Rushen, Geri Allen, Randy Brecker, Ada Rovatti, Warren Wolf, Bennie Maupin, harpist Carol Robbins, and Simphiwe Dana, a stunning South African vocalist and composer, among others.

The highly regarded 2012 release “Changes” (Afrasia Productions) is on several ‘Top 10 Albums of 2012’ lists, and continues to garner both critical and popular acclaim. Said James Nadal of All About Jazz, “With her release of Changes, veteran singer Carmen Lundy rises to that proverbial summit to enjoy the rarefied air of the chosen few.”

Terri Lyne Carrington’s Mosaic Project - Grammy Winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album of 2011- features the Carmen Lundy composition “Show Me A Sign”, with Ms. Lundy’s original performance from the album “Solamente” reinvented on the arrangement.

Carmen has had several Top Ten albums on JazzWeek (“Jazz and the New Songbook-Live at The Madrid”, “Come Home”, and “Changes”) and a #3 spot on Billboard’s Jazz Chart for 23 weeks with her debut album “Good Morning Kiss”. Among her other awards and recognitions, especially rewarding was Miami-Dade's County Office of the Mayor and Board of County Commissioners proclaiming January 25th "Carmen Lundy Day”, along with handing Ms. Lundy the keys to the City of Miami.

Having recorded more than thirteen albums as a leader, Carmen’s far-reaching discography also includes performances and recordings with such musicians as brother and bassist Curtis Lundy, Ray Barretto, Kenny Barron, Bruce Hornsby, Mulgrew Miller, Terri Lyne Carrington, Kip Hanrahan, Courtney Pine, Roy Hargrove, Jimmy Cobb, Ron Carter, Marian McPartland, Regina Carter, Steve Turre, Geri Allen, Robert Glasper, Patrice Rushen and the late Kenny Kirkland. Ms. Lundy’s 2005 release, the hugely successful “Jazz and The New Songbook-Live at The Madrid”, features some of the jazz world’s best known musicians paying tribute to Ms. Lundy.

Carmen Lundy’s work as a vocalist and composer has been critically acclaimed by The New York Times, The Village Voice, The Los Angeles Times, Variety, The Washington Post, Jazz Times, Jazziz, Downbeat and Vanity Fair among many others, as well as numerous foreign publications.

Christopher Loudon of Jazz Times writes “Carmen Lundy, as beautiful inside as out, has accomplished the near impossible for a jazz singer by maintaining a solid, successful, three-decade career while focusing largely on original, self-penned material.” And Don Heckman of The Los Angeles Times – “Lundy’s performance was the product of talent that has ripened fully. Her far-ranging, fluidly mobile voice roved through and around the melodies, and her innate sense of theatricality illuminated every layer of drama in her story-driven songs.”

As a composer, Ms. Lundy’s catalogue numbers over 100 published songs, one of the few jazz vocalists in history to accomplish such a distinction, and has led to the first publication of the Carmen Lundy Songbook (2007). Her songs have been recorded by such artists as Kenny Barron ("Quiet Times"), Ernie Watts ("At The End Of My Rope"), and Straight Ahead ("Never Gonna Let You Go"). Officially endorsed by Neumann microphones, Carmen Lundy continues to compose and expand her vast catalogue.

Her own recordings consist of 1985’s “Good Morning Kiss” (CLR/Afrasia Productions), “Moment To Moment” (Arabesque/Afrasia Productions), “Night And Day” (CBS/SONY and re-issued by Afrasia in 2011), “Old Devil Moon” (JVC), “Self Portrait” (JVC), “Something To Believe In” and “This Is Carmen Lundy” (both for Justin Time), “Jazz and The New Songbook – Live at The Madrid” (2-disc set and DVD, Afrasia Productions), “Come Home” (Afrasia), “Solamente” and the 2012 release “Changes” (Afrasia Productions). Her newest recording “Soul To Soul” is almost 2 years in the making, and will be released in the Fall of 2014 on Afrasia Productions.

www.carmenlundy.com

Have A Little Faith
Carmen Lundy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore

Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay

From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow

So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Carmen Lundy's song "Have A Little Faith" convey a message of hope and optimism during the holiday season. The song encourages listeners to embrace the spirit of Christmas and find solace in the joyous atmosphere it brings.

The first verse sets the tone by urging individuals to have a merry Christmas and to let their hearts feel light. It suggests that by doing so, the troubles and worries of everyday life will fade away, allowing for a more carefree and enjoyable holiday experience.

The second verse continues this theme by emphasizing the need to make the Yuletide season happy and festive. It suggests that by immersing ourselves in the holiday spirit, our troubles will be left behind and distant, providing a sense of relief and respite.

The chorus, "Here we are as in olden days, happy golden days of yore," creates a nostalgic atmosphere, invoking memories of past Christmases and the happiness they brought. The mention of "faithful friends" gathering near reminds us of the importance of loved ones during the holiday season, and how their presence can bring comfort and joy.

The lyrics also convey a sense of optimism for the future. The line "Through the years we all will be together if the fates allow" suggests a belief that despite the challenges and uncertainties we may face, there is hope for reunion and togetherness in the years to come.

The final lines of the song, "So hang a shining star upon the highest bough and have yourself a merry little Christmas now," reinforce the idea of embracing the holiday spirit and finding happiness in the present moment. It encourages listeners to decorate and celebrate, symbolized by hanging a star, and ultimately, to fully enjoy the joy and magic of Christmas.

Overall, Carmen Lundy's "Have A Little Faith" conveys the importance of optimism, togetherness, and embracing the spirit of the holiday season. It reminds us that even in challenging times, there is comfort and joy to be found if we have faith and allow ourselves to fully engage in the festivities.

Line by Line Meaning

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Enjoy and embrace the holiday season with joy and happiness

Let your heart be light
Free your heart from worries and burdens, and be filled with positivity

From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Moving forward, we will leave behind our problems and focus on the joyous moments

Make the Yuletide gay
Bring cheerfulness and festivity to the holiday season

From now on, our troubles will be miles away
From this point forward, our difficulties will seem distant and insignificant

Here we are as in olden days
We find ourselves in a similar nostalgic atmosphere of the past

Happy golden days of yore
Reminiscing about joyful and prosperous times gone by

Faithful friends who are dear to us
Beloved friends who stand by us through thick and thin

Gather near to us once more
Come together and be close once again

Through the years we all will be together
As time passes, we will remain united and in each other's company

If the fates allow
Depending on the circumstances and destiny