Dennis van Aarssen

For those who have followed the career of ‘crooner’ Dennis van Aarssen, it can hardly come as a surprise that he released an album with Christmas songs last year. This year, two new singles will be followed by a Deluxe version of the album “Christmas When You’re Here” on December 1st, featuring three new Christmas songs. “Christmas is something that just belongs to me. I just love Christmas,” says the singer. “The fact that I would record a Christmas album was actually decided before I had a career in music. Because I want to perform with my Christmas songs every year, I have recorded three new tracks and added them to my album. With these are songs I hope to reach a bigger audience through streaming and radio airplay.”

Dennis van Aarssen’s Christmas album is distinctive because it is not a collection of well-known Christmas songs. The new Deluxe edition contains 11 original tracks and is completed with two covers; “Driving Home For Christmas” by Chris Rea and “Hang Your Lights” by Jamie Cullum, both of which have received unique arrangements. “This album was the realization of a dream. I will sing these songs every Christmas from now on. So, you really have to be sure that they are outstanding good songs. And because I want to keep it fresh, I will continue to write and record new Christmas repertoire. These new tracks fit perfectly with the songs I recorded last year, so I decided to add them to the album.

Christmas songs in the scorching heat

“You don’t start your career with a Christmas album. Moreover, I had enough stories to tell for two regular studio albums. But by the end of 2021, we had already written enough good Christmas songs. They were written during the many sessions with Jeff Franzel (former pianist and songwriter for Frank Sinatra) and Maria Christensen (lyricist for artists like Celine Dion and Jennifer Lopez). I went to America during the summer of last year, knowing that we still needed a few good songs. It was 38 degrees in New York at the time. We wrote three of the current ten Christmas songs in that scorching heat, in shorts with the air conditioning on. There was absolutely nothing that reminded you of Christmas during that session. But while writing, you quickly get into that Christmas feeling.”

Jamie Cullum and Instagram

“The choice for the covers was made quickly. I knew right away that ‘Driving Home For Christmas’ by Chris Rea would make it onto the album. It’s one of the biggest Christmas hits ever. We created a kind of disco version of it in a new arrangement. Every time we played it live, the audience reacted positively surprised. Everyone knows this song, but in this version, it really grabs your attention. Jamie Cullum made a Christmas album with original Christmas songs three years ago. All of them are fantastic songs. ‘Hang Your Lights’ is simply a great song and had never been covered by anyone before. Jamie Cullum picked up the live version I sang during a music show, and he shared it on his own Instagram. Very cool and a great honor as well.”

Twelve Christmas shows

“I’ve arranged a completely new program for my Christmas shows, which I will perform twelve times. In addition to all the tracks from the album, including the three new songs, I will also perform more classic Christmas songs. We will do the Christmas shows with the DVA Big Band, in the same lineup as the regular tour. We kick off this tour in New York on November 28th. Exciting, but I’m really looking forward to it.

“I hope that these songs will open up more possibilities for streaming and radio airplay. I can honestly say that the album contains thirteen tracks that deserve to be played and heard. I also feel that I have made progress in my development. I now listen more attentively and critically, and more often. Everything has to be just right.”

Christmas icon

“As for who the Christmas icon in the Netherlands is, I wouldn’t know in terms of music. Netherlands doesn’t really have an artist who is successful every year at Christmas. The same goes for the question: who is the big crooner in the Netherlands? The one who represents the American Songbook so beautifully in the Netherlands? I think there is simply a gap there, and I would very much like to fill that gap. I think Christmas is only getting bigger. Moreover, it is a universal celebration. So, if someone needs to be called in the Netherlands and Belgium for Christmas music, they should definitely call Dennis van Aarssen.”