Even as Jason Mraz was topping the charts and traveling the world, his Nanny Razz playfully pestered him to write something she could share with her church friends. “Whenever I made music, she asked, ‘Is it gospel? When are you going to make me a gospel album?’” he says. Mraz’s career took off with his debut, 2002’s Waiting for My Rocket to Come, racking up GRAMMYs and accolades along the way, but he still kept returning to Nanny Razz’s kitchen — and she kept asking for something she could pray to. So, finally, he decided to craft a special gift for both his church-going grandmothers, with help from pals Andy Powers (guitarist and President, CEO, and Chief Guitar Designer of Taylor Guitars), bassist Ian Sheridan, violinist/violist Ray Suen, and vocalists Noel “Toca” Rivera and Gregory Page for those fan-favorite harmonies. He gifted it to Nanny Razz in 2007 on Christmas Day. His beloved grandmother passed away in 2014, but, as the years went by, Mraz realized she wanted him to share that music with the world. So, after releasing the bubbly, bright Mystical Magical Rhythmical Radical Ride in 2023, it felt like time to bring that sepia-toned, sweet gospel to the public. Grandma’s Gospel Favorites is out May 8th via Interrabang/BMG, a molasses-rich collection of 10 covers and originals.
