Leslie Odom Jr. is the self-titled debut jazz album by actor and singer Leslie Odom Jr. An early version of the album, recorded prior to Odom's success in the 2015 Broadway musical Hamilton, was self-released in 2014. After Odom was signed to S-Curve Records in 2016, an expanded and revised version of the album was recorded. Released by in June 2016, it reached number one on the US Top Jazz Albums chart.
Odom started a Kickstarter page for the album, raising $40,791 for the project.[1] Recording began in April 2013 and ended in February 2014.[2] The slow recording process was due to Odom's busy schedule, which included his off-Broadway show Venice, his starring role on Smash, and his recurring roles on Person of Interest and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. After multiple promotional concerts at The Public Theater, the album was released through CD Baby on August 12, 2014.[3][4]
In 2016, as a result of his then-current role in the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, Odom was signed to a four-album deal with S-Curve Records[5][6] He and producer Steve Greenberg narrowed down 200 potential tunes to ten tracks, and Odom recorded an updated and improved version of Leslie Odom Jr. during days off and afternoons before Broadway performances, in order to release the album before Odom left Hamilton.[7] Six tracks were kept for the new version, and three songs – "Sarah", "Song for the Asking", and "Wild Is the Wind" – were cut. Four new songs were added, with changes to the track order.
Promotion
One of the newly recorded songs for the 2026 reissue, "Autumn Leaves", was released as a single before the album came out.[8] Odom toured to promote the album, performing concerts backed by a five-piece jazz quintet that includes a drummer, percussionist, bassist, guitarist, and a pianist who is also Odom's musical director.[9]
Critical reception
The album received positive reviews. David Clarke of BroadwayWorld wrote, "Fans and newcomers alike can revel in the glory of his decadently jazzy debut solo album, and after just one listen, I'm sure that you'll be hooked... There is a crisp smoothness to Leslie Odom Jr.'s voice that is entirely fascinating, and his self-titled debut album puts his instrument on full display."[10]AllMusic editor Marcy Donelson described Leslie Odom Jr. as a "set of graceful vocal jazz interpretations of show tunes and popular song."[11]
Commercial performance
Released on June 10, 2016, the album debuted and peaked at number 147 on the US Billboard 200 and reached the top spot on the US Top Jazz Albums chart.[12]
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