THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
The London Palladium, Argyll St, London W1F 7TF, October 31, 2026
Leslie Odom Jr. burst onto the scene in 2015 with his Tony-winning role as Aaron Burr in the original production of Hamilton. He went on to win a Grammy and be nominated for 3 Emmys and 2 Oscars, the latter for the acclaimed film of One Night in Miami in which he played the pivotal role of legendary soul singer Sam Cooke. He also scored another Tony-nominated triumph on Broadway in Purlie Victorious. Hamilton broke new box office records when he returned to it for sojourn in 2025 and he also reprised his famous role for 9 weeks in London this summer.
His Palladium debut brought out the Hamilton crowd whom he didn't disappoint (they roared with delight at three of the hits), but it also revealed him to be an outstanding all round jazz vocalist. With a voice that blends the pristine tone of Nat King Cole with the laid back soul of Stevie Wonder this concert showed his amazing versatility, but also his great taste in both programme choice and vocal styling, things you can't learn.
For the most part this was like being at an intimate jazz club, basically piano (Christopher Cadenhead), bass (Eric England) and drums (David Chiverton), with added guitars from MD Steven Walker, but instead it filled this hallowed stage as if it were an orchestra.
Blinding us with a glitter ball, he arrived looking every inch the star, in cool shades and a dapper brown suit, draping a voluminous matching overcoat behind him, rather in the style of Aretha. He began with a medley (usually my pet hate) of standards, but I instantly forgave him when he delivered an 'On a Clear Day' merging into 'My Favourite Things' that soared to the heavens and drew out Walker's stunningly lush jazz stylings.
Then an original number, 'I Married an Angel', dedicated to Walker who had just tied the knot. Odom's vocal agility vied with the guitar as if it were a duet for voices. He showed off his effortless skill at a vocalese number, 'Moody's Mood', again totally at one with this great band.
He devoted the next section to Millennials, including a jazz infused reimagining of the Smashing Pumpkins' alt rock classic 'Tonight, Tonight'.
The second act found a more mellow R&B vibe with 3 numbers from his original album When a Crooner Dies, starting with the soulful 'Loved' where he strays almost into falsetto land.
Next was a sublimely simple tribute to Sam Cooke, starting with 'You Send Me' stripped back for just two guitars and percussion and his velvet vocals giving it even more impact. He followed with 'Bring it on Home to Me' and 'A Change is Gonna Come'.
Then another showstopper with a raucous take on the melancholy Blues classic 'Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out' starting out with just a simple piano and building to an explosive climax.
He had to finish, of course, with 'The Room Where It Happens' because this man knows how to work an audience but before that he gave us a moment of quiet reflection with 'Ave Maria' of all things. And why not, because listening to this singular talent with his genre spanning artistry is akin to a religious experience in itself.
He is on a very long tour and, wherever you can, catch him.