Desarae Dee Brings Soul Back to Christmas with ‘Moments of Christmas’

Let’s be honest, most Christmas music lost its soul a long time ago. Every year, it’s the same rotation of covers, the same sanitized nostalgia wrapped in predictable jingle bells. But then there’s Desarae Dee, Toronto’s self-proclaimed Queen of Vibes, who refuses to play by the rules. Her latest project, Moments of Christmas (2nd Movement), doesn’t just reimagine holiday music; it gives it a pulse again.

Desarae’s not some seasonal act jumping on the holiday bandwagon. She’s a multi-award-winning instrumental fusion artist with serious chops, recognized by NPR, CBC Radio, and a 2022 SiriusXM Black Canadian Music Award. She’s also a GRAMMY® Voting Member (Class of 2024) and an endorsed Yamaha Canada, Hammond Organ, and Juicy Earz artist. With over 70K loyal followers on TikTok and Instagram and millions of views under her belt, Desarae’s brand of “faith-filled soul fusion” has made her one of the most exciting instrumental voices in the country.

Moments of Christmas isn’t your background holiday soundtrack; it’s a full-on emotional journey. The first movement, released back in 2020, captured the serene and sacred side of the holidays with tracks like “Moments of Christmas (Theme),” “The Light,” and “Sparkle.” Those songs felt like church on a snowy Sunday morning, peaceful, glowing, and deeply rooted in gratitude. But this second movement? It’s the celebration that follows the reflection.

The new release brings a modern, genre-blending energy that fuses gospel, soul, and R&B with holiday warmth. Think smooth grooves instead of sleigh bells, heartfelt instrumentation instead of overdone vocals. It revisits fan-favorite tracks like “Chilly Timing” and “Illusions,” breathes new life into “Holiday Soul” with a fresh remix, and tops it all off with an original standout, “AQOVC (A Queen of Vibes Christmas).” Produced by Desarae and Donyea Goodman and mixed/mastered by Adam Josh Pondang, this project shines because it’s intentional, it celebrates the joy, spirituality, and reflection of the holidays without ever losing its groove.

Backed by Howard Artis on drums and Kemy Siala on bass, the sound is full-bodied and lush, balancing sacred emotion with undeniable rhythm. You can tell Desarae isn’t just composing music; she’s creating moments, soundtracks for connection, gratitude, and healing. Her ability to move between genres while staying anchored in soul is what makes her music hit differently.

Where most artists chase the commercial side of Christmas, Desarae leans into authenticity. Moments of Christmas is a reminder that the holidays don’t have to be about excess or perfection; they can be about quiet joy, resilience, and togetherness. It’s festive, but it’s grounded. Reflective, but still bursting with life.

So, if you’re over the usual Christmas clichés and ready for something that actually makes you feel something, Moments of Christmas (2nd Movement) is the vibe. It’s not about jingling bells or Hallmark cheer, it’s about catching a little light in the dark and letting the music remind you what the season’s really about.

You’ve called yourself “Toronto’s Queen of Vibes.” How does that title translate into your creative process, especially when crafting something as emotionally layered as Moments of Christmas?

Being “Toronto’s Queen of Vibes” is about creating an experience every time I touch the keys. It’s energy, emotion, and intention coming together in harmony. With Moments of Christmas, I wanted to go beyond nostalgia and capture what Christmas feels like at a soul level: stillness, warmth, and divine peace. Every progression and texture was crafted to help listeners slow down and truly feel something.

Most holiday music feels copy-paste, but your sound cuts through with soul and intention. What do you think modern Christmas music is missing, and how are you filling that gap?

A lot of holiday music leans on familiarity but forgets authenticity. I think what’s missing is presence; music that connects us spiritually, not just seasonally. I wanted Moments of Christmas to bring that depth back by blending gospel, soul, jazz, and cinematic warmth. It’s not about reinventing Christmas; it’s about re-centering it in the heart.

Moments of Christmas (2nd Movement) blends sacred and soulful energy seamlessly. Were there any personal or spiritual experiences that shaped this new direction for you?

This project came out of a year of deep renewal. Spiritually, I was called to create from a place of healing and surrender, which mirrors the essence of Christmas itself. I’ve stepped into a new artistic identity, “The Sonic Midwife,” where I see sound as a form of guidance and rebirth. Moments of Christmas became a reflection of that; the sacred meeting the soulful, the divine meeting the everyday.

You’ve earned major recognition: a SiriusXM Award, GRAMMY® Voting Member status, and brand partnerships, yet your sound still feels underground and personal. How do you stay grounded while your career keeps leveling up?

Gratitude keeps me grounded. I’m currently a GRAMMY® contender in three categories: Best Contemporary Instrumental Album (Adventure: The Album), Best Instrumental Composition (“Adventure”), and Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical), and while those milestones are surreal, I always return to why I create: connection and healing. My community, my faith, and my quiet time at the piano keep me rooted. The more my platform expands, the more intentional I become about staying humble, grateful, and aligned with purpose.

If listeners could take away one feeling or message from Moments of Christmas, what do you want that to be, and how does it tie into who you are beyond the music?

Peace: that’s the message. I want people to feel that deep exhale, that reminder that they’re loved, seen, and safe. Beyond the music, I’m a storyteller and healer through sound. Moments of Christmas is a reminder that joy and stillness can coexist, and that sacred moments don’t just happen; we create them.