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SAN RAFAEL, CA (November 13, 2025) – Superstar producer and musician Narada Michael Walden is proud to announce the Narada Michael Walden Foundation's 28th Annual Holiday Jam, “A Very Merry Soulful Christmas” featuring Grammy-winning blues icon Taj Mahal, legendary Grammy winner and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Valerie Simpson, songwriting star and famed musical director Larry Batise, as well as trailblazing singers Nikiti Germaine and Sakai from Les Femmes Fatales. This year’s Holiday Jam will take place December 13 at the Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley, CA.
For over a quarter century, the Narada Michael Walden Foundation’s Holiday Jam has been a joyous and beloved Christmas tradition in which Walden and a brilliant array of guest artists, along with the Foundation Singers and the Foundation Kids, put on a dazzling show to benefit music education via the Bright Futures Center and the Performing Stars of Marin program.
“I like keeping the soul and good spirit in Christmas,” Walden says. “The meaning of Christmas is in so many things – love for the Jesus being born, Santa flying in the sky to bring beautiful gifts to children, Frosty being happy and Rudolph with his red nose blinking to guide the way. I love spreading cheer around the world, especially at Christmas.”
In selecting this year’s guest artists, Walden’s aim was to “honor the greats and their beautiful music so they can pass the baton to the younger generation."
His history with Taj Mahal goes back to dates they shared concert bills in the early ‘70s, back when Walden played drums for the groundbreaking fusion band Mahavishnu Orchestra. “I got to see Taj Mahal’s brilliance on so many memorable nights,” he says. “ He’s such a respected musician, and not only that, he’s a living encyclopedia of music. His impeccable recordings have influenced so many greats. I wrote a song that I hope to sing with him at the show and eventually record.”
Speaking about Valerie Simpson, whose songwriting landmarks (written with her late husband, Nikolas Ashford) include “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “I’m Every Woman” (a hit for Chaka Kahn and again for Whitney Houston on the Walden-produced smash for The Bodyguard soundtrack) and dozens more, Walden says, “She’s beloved in every sense of the word. It’s funny, because I want to honor her at this show, and she said she’s coming to honor me!”
He sings the praises of Larry Batiste, the musical director of the TEC Awards who has also served as musical director of the Grammy Awards pre-telecast. “He’s a big shot with a heart of gold,” Walden says. “He recently put together a great band to honor Sly and the Family Stone, and we had a great time playing Sly’s music at the Sound Summit on top of Mount Tamalpais.”
Multi-talents Nikiti Germaine and Sakai have sung and recorded with some of music’s top artists (most recently they toured with the platinum-selling band Train), including Walden. “They’ve sung on hits I’ve recorded, and they’re just incredible,” he says. “Now they have their own band, Les Femmes Fatales, and I can’t wait to have them sing at our show.”
Internationally acclaimed singer and bassist Nik West, called “the bass icon of this generation” by Rolling Stone, returns for her third Holiday Jam. “She brings fantastic energy to the bass on singing and showmanship,” Walden says. “We're very happy to have her on the show to help raise the roof.”
Each Holiday Jam features a generous mix of captivating Yuletide classics and popular hits, and as always, the Foundation Singers will be front and center. This year Walden will welcome an array of talents, many of whom have performed at past events, such as Jeanie Tracy (“our queen in the Bay Area”), Cornell “CC” Carter (who works with the Foundation kids on their singing skills and whom Denzel Washington recently called one of his favorite vocalists), 12-year-old singing sensation Ivan, Dan Ashley, Nate’ the Soulsanger, Leah Tysee and Ariel B.
Backing up the performers will be the Narada Michael Walden Holiday Jam Band powered by Walden on drums. “Putting on this show makes me so happy,” he says. “It’s incredible to work with so many talented young singers and musicians, and I’m thrilled to feature Taj Mahal, Valerie Simpson, Larry Batise and other greats. I'm honored for this opportunity to pass their music down to a new generation.”
He adds, “Our audience is always spectacular. They’ll recognize all these songs and sing along with us. I can’t wait to see them get right up off their feet and dance. It’s always such a wonderful time. Each Christmas we have a good time and come together as a community. With great music and artists, we can inspire one another, be strong and happy.”
NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN FOUNDATION’S 28TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY JAM
Saturday, December 13, 2025
8:00 PM 11:00 PM
Throckmorton Threatre
142 Throckmorton Avenue Mill Valley, CA
Tickets on sale now: Throckmorton Theater Box Office
Speaking of happy, it doesn’t get more blissful than Walden’s brilliant, tropical-flavored new single, “Coconut Wire,” available as a digital single and also featured on vinyl editions of his recently released album, Still Yours For the Summer. The title owes to a conversation he had with Hawaii resident Carlos Santana, who said that people on the island hear gossip on “the coconut wire, like a telephone wire.” Walden wrote the song with his wife, Katie, for Santana’s album Blessings and Miracles, but it wasn’t finished in time. “I remembered it when I was making Still Yours For the Summer,” he says, “and that’s when Carlos came to play on it.” Santana’s majestic guitar playing is peppered throughout the track, and there are not one, but two high-flying solos.
“Hearing Carlos play is like listening to poetry,” Walden says. “Nobody is the world plays or sounds like him. He’s pure magic.”
The Narada Michael Walden Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people by supporting music appreciation and education for Bay Area Youth. The Holiday Jam directly benefits the Bright Futures Center and the Performing Stars of Marin. Bright Futures serves students from pre-kindergarten through young adulthood. Through a variety of robust programs in academics and the arts, the center has reached thousands of children and teens in the West Contra Costa community over the past 26 years, and it continues to provide students with academic support and social enrichment to cultivate the community leaders of tomorrow.
Walden is on the Advisory Board of the Performing Stars of Marin, which is dedicated to transforming the lives of low-income multicultural kids, families and communities across Marin County. The organization serve the entire county of Marin with youth arts and enrichment programs; historical, cultural and civic engagement opportunities; and critical safety net support for the whole family.
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