MUSIC

New Aguinaldo is a joyful reimagining of holiday classics and Christmas music from Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela. Blending the spirit of celebration with timeless tradition, the album channels the warmth, rhythm, and communal magic of a true island Christmas.

Inspired by the folk tradition of parang, brought to Trinidad by Venezuelan cocoa farmers in the 18th century, New Aguinaldo draws from the rich legacy of aguinaldos, or musical “gifts” shared door-to-door during the festive season. With its heart in parranda and its soul in jazz, New Aguinaldo is, in many ways, my own offering: a seasonal gift shaped by heritage, memory, and joy.

The nine-track collection brings together four beloved Christmas standards, three traditional parang songs from Venezuela and Trinidad, and two homegrown Trinidadian holiday tunes.

To bring this vision to life, Ryan turned to a circle of collaborators who feel like family. Trumpeter Andrew McAnsh; vocalists Joanna Majoko, Eliana Cuevas, and my uncle Clifton Ryan II; bassist Rich Brown; cuatro player Luis Guevara; percussionist Derek Thorne; and Maria Jose Castejon on maracas. Together, we’ve created something festive and familiar yet unmistakably new—a holiday soundtrack that feels like home.

Track List

1. Do you hear what I hear? 

2. Christmas Time is Here

3. O Come, Emmanuel (Prelude feat. Rich Brown)

4. O Come, Emmanuel (Feat. Joanna Majoko)

5. Little Drummer Boy (Feat. Joanna Majoko)

6. Que Venga

7. Río Manzanares (Feat. Eliana Cuevas)

8. Alegria, Alegria (Feat. Eliana Cuevas)

9. Madame Jeffrey 

10. Merry Christmas (Feat. Clifton Ryan II)

Production Team

Recording and Mix Engineer: David Hermiston, 

Master by Jeff “Fedge” Elliot

Vocal and precision overdubs recorded by Jonathan Ryan and Chris Romano

Recorded at RHC Studios and Rolling Pictures, Toronto, ON, Canada

Photography & Art Direction: Keith Austin Agency

Videography: Michael Fisher Media

Album Cover Design: Fwé Culture

Artist Support Admin: Mariano Rojas

Session Hospitality: Kristin Ryan (Mélé Cuisine)

Musicians 

Andrew McAnsh - Trumpet  

Ewen Farncombe - Piano & Rhodes

Andrew Marzotto - Guitar 

Julian Anderson-Bowes - Upright bass 

Amhed Mitchel - Drums

Special guests

Joanna Majoko - Vocals 

Eliana Cuevas - Vocals

Clifton Ryan II - Vocals

Luis Guevara - Cuatro

Maria Jose Castejon - Maracas 

Derek Thorne - Congas, Dub Dub, and other percussion

Rich Brown - Electric bass

Jesse returns to his home town Belmont, Trinidad & Tobago in this nostalgic and moody video where he observes mothers with their sons. Each interaction prompts him to reflect on moments he shared with his own late mother, and serves as a chilling reminder of her passing, his journey with grief, and finding healing and hope through his music and an appreciation for the simple everyday things, often taken for granted.

This video was created thanks to the generous support of the MVP Project, a joint initiative of RBCxMusic and the Prism Prize (administered by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television).