Jesse Ryan – New Aguinaldo: First Anniversary Album Party

Celebrate the first anniversary of New Aguinaldo, Jesse Ryan’s joyful celebration of Caribbean Christmas traditions, with a special live performance at Lula Lounge featuring special guests Andrew McAnsh, Joanna Majoko, and Luis Anselmi. Blending the vibrant rhythms of Trinidadian parang, Venezuelan aguinaldos, and the improvisational spirit of jazz, New Aguinaldo reimagines holiday classics and festive music from Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela. The result is a soundscape filled with warmth, rhythm, nostalgia, and the unmistakable magic of an island Christmas. Rooted in the folk tradition of parang, brought to Trinidad by Venezuelan cocoa farmers in the 18th century, the album celebrates the spirit of aguinaldos — musical “gifts” shared among neighbours, friends, and families during the festive season. With its heart in parranda and its soul in jazz, New Aguinaldo brings these traditions into the present, honouring the music that brings communities together. Now, one year after the album’s release, join Jesse Ryan and an exceptional lineup of guest artists for an evening of festive sounds, Caribbean rhythms, and musical storytelling. Whether you’re discovering the album for the first time or returning to a favourite holiday soundtrack, this anniversary celebration invites you to experience the joy, generosity, and communal spirit at the heart of a Caribbean Christmas. About Jesse Ryan Jesse Ryan is a Trinidadian-Canadian saxophonist, composer, and cultural storyteller whose music bridges Caribbean traditions and contemporary jazz. A 2020 recipient of the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Emerging Jazz Artist Award and a JUNO-nominated musician, Ryan is also the founder of Kaiso Street Society, an arts organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the legacy of Calypso. New Aguinaldo is his musical offering for the holiday season — a celebration of heritage, memory, and the timeless joy of making music together.