Dionne Warwick Opens Up About Her New Christmas Duets Album

Dionne Warwick celebrated her birthday a few days early this year — with a huge helping of family, friends and holiday festivities. The legendary vocalist, who turned 80 on Thursday, performed an intimate concert two days prior at Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship store in Manhattan. The event was part of the “Live at L’Avenue,” a musical series staged at the Le Chalet cocktail lounge beneath Saks’ gourmet eatery, and Warwick kept the yuletide cheer flowing with a track from her latest album, Dionne Warwick and the Voices of Christmas. “I want to put you in the holiday spirit!

” she told the crowd — which included longtime David Letterman music director Paul Shaffer, Orange Is the New Black actress Lea DeLaria, and Broadway stars Erich Bergen (Jersey Boys) and Major Attaway (Aladdin) — packed into the cozy accommodations, modeled after a Northern Italian ski lodge. “So, are you ready to hear some songs from my latest CD? It’s a great album full of duets with some of my friends, with traditional songs, and some songs I bring into the 21st century. ” Without further ado, Warwick launched into a country-tinged version of “Jingle Bells,” which she recorded for the album with John Rich, The Oak Ridge Boys & Ricky Skaggs.

Speaking to PEOPLE shortly before her performance, Warwick explained the genesis of the collaborative Christmas album. “I wanted to do something with people that I wanted to sing with,” she says. “I came up with the title first, and then came up with the arrangement for the songs. ” The familiar titles are done in a variety of genres and styles, ranging from Nashville twang to cool R&B and soaring gospel.

“That’s the fun of the entire CD, it has something for everybody,” she says. One of her favorite tracks on the album is her version of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” recorded with Johnny Mathis. “Absolute magic,” she says of working with the fellow music icon. “I refer to him as ‘The Master.

’ He’s been a dear, dear friend for many, many years. It’s not only a dream but it’s a pleasure singing with him. He makes it so easy. ” Voices of Christmas was produced by Warwick’s son, Damon Elliott.