It was the end of summer in NYC, but a few of Jewel's music industry friends & a few hundred EDAs (aka Jewel's online fans) & their guests celebrated the holiday season in style last night, while Jewel recorded PBS's renowned "Sessions At West 54th Street"at Sony Music Studios in NYC.

Jewel treated the respectful & extremely attentive audience to a thorough sneak preview of her upcoming album "Joy-A Holiday Collection". Performing with a chorus comprised of eight of NYC's best choral singers, a mini-orchestra (including Harp & Tubular Bells) as well as the studio band on the album, Jewel charmed & joked with everyone including her conductor for the evening, legendary producer & arranger Arif Marden.

Following a brief introduction by songwriter & "Sessions at West 54th host John Haitt, Jewel began the evening with " "Joy To The World". Seasonal favorite "O Holy Night" followed. Jewel's mother Nedra Carroll then joined Jewel singing harmony on "Silent Night". "Winter Wonderland" followed. Jewel then wowed everyone in the room with a breathtaking performance of "Ave Maria". Much to everyone's delight, she performed this again improving on the previous take. Two versions of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" were next & then Nedra performed two duets with her daughter: "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" & a false start & then complete "Face Of Love".The first part of the show concluded with a gospel medley comprised of "Go Tell It On The Mountain", "From A Distance" & "her own very appropriate composition "Life Uncommon".

After a few minutes of technical changes & Jewel chatting with attendees, the performances continued with another Jewel & Nedra duet on "I Wonder As I Wander". Next up was an aria that Jewel composed in Latin titled "Gloria" that left many in awe of her vocal abilities. Following this amazing performance, Arif Marden's son Joe Mardin stepped up from his musician position to conduct two takes of "Little Town Of Bethlehem" & a new arrangement of "Hands" that had much more spiritual impact, thanks to the powerful chorus & orchestration.

At this point, Jewel explained that the next piece was being recorded as her contribution to an upcoming CD that will benefit HGH's Clearwater Project. She then performed a brand new orchestrated gospel flavored version of "Life Uncommon" independant of the previously mentioned medley. Due to a technical problem, everyone was treated to this a second time. The "official taping" concluded with second takes of "Gloria" & "Joy To The World". The musicians & chorus then exited to a heartfelt ovation.

Following a hilarious interlude where Jewel located nail clippers & then projected her nail clippings into the extremely close audience, she strapped on her acoustic guitar & joked with the EDAs briefly. She then performed her first two hits "You Were Meant For Me" & "Who Will Save Your Soul", neither of which have been performed solo in quite some time. Although time had run out, Jewel convinced the crew to allow her one more song for the EDAs. She squeezed in two; the unreleased favorites "Sometimes It Be That Way" & "Grey Matter".

This special Christmas edition of "Sessions At West 54th Street" will be broadcast in part nationwide on most PBS stations this December.

Complete Setlist:

September 14 Sessions At West 54th
Taping, Sony Music Studios, NYC

Introduction: John Haitt
Joy To The World (take 1)
O Holy Night
Silent Night (w/Nedra)
Winter Wonderland
Ave Maria (false start)
Ave Maria (take 1)
Ave Maria (take 2)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (take 1)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (take 2)
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (w/Nedra)
Face Of Love (false start w/Nedra)
Face Of Love (w/Nedra)
Gospel Medley: Go Tell It On The Mountain->From A Distance->Life Uncommon)
I Wonder As I Wander (w/Nedra)
Gloria (take 1)
Little Town Of Bethlehem (take 1)
Little Town Of Bethlehem (take 2)
Hands
Life Uncommon (take 1)
Life Uncommon (take 2)
Gloria (take 2)
Joy To The World (take 2)
You Were Meant For Me
Who Will Save Your Soul
Sometimes It Be That Way
Grey Matter