Aled Jones Duets 'O Holy Night' With Incredible 12-Year-Old Singer

Dec 27, 2022 by apost team

Throughout his decades-long career, Aled Jones has inspired millions with his powerful music. Having recorded several religious and inspirational tracks, Jones moved the hearts of many with the words written through his songs. Several years later, Jones continues to inspire the future generation.
 
Born in St. David's Hospital in Bangor, Caernarfonshire, in December 1970, Jones grew up in a Welsh-speaking community. At the young age of nine, he joined the choir of the Bangor Cathedral. It did not take long enough for him to become a lead soloist in two years, although he didn't make it as a Head Chorister.
 
Perhaps the quality of Jones' treble voice was what made him stand out, with several members of the congregation having found it remarkable and couldn't help but appreciate it.
 
He also achieved massive recognition at the age of 12. He won the Cerdd Dant solo competitions floor competitors under 12 at the Urdd Eisteddfod.
 
But it wasn't until he did a cover version of Howard Blake's 'Walking In The Air' from the 1982 film 'The Snowman' that he gained popularity. His version even snagged the 5th spot on the UK charts in 1985.  
 
Since then, he has sung various songs that either became part of an original motion picture soundtrack or the theme song of a film, including 'Santa Claus The Movie' and 'A Winter Story.'
 
By the age of 16, Jones had already recorded 16 albums. While Jones rose to fame at a young age, his career also momentarily took a pause after his voice broke at the same age.
 
In 1990, Jones ventured into acting and made his stage debut in 'How Green Was My Valley,' where he played the teenage Huw Morgan.

Apart from his career as a recording artist, Jones is also known for being a presenter on Classic FM. In 2006, he joined BBC and had since become a presenter for several radio shows.

Jones also entered the world of television, joining ITV Breakfast's 'Daybreak' where he co-presented with Lorraine Kelly and Kate Garraway.

He also appeared on BBC, appearing on 'Songs of Praise,' 'Cash in the Attic,' 'Escape to the Country,' and 'Going Back Giving Back.'

Outside of his career, Jones lives a happy family life. He has a wife named Claire Fossett, a circus performer whom he met while performing in 'Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' in Blackpool, Lancashire. They got married on January 6, 2001.

The couple shares two children, a daughter named Emilia, who also happens to be a singer-actress and a son named Lucas.

For the most part of his adult singing career, he recorded mostly either religious or inspirational songs.

Two days before Christmas, Classic FM uploaded a video of Aled Jones singing a classic, well-loved Christmas carol, 'O Holy Night,' with 12-year-old Malakai Bayoh.

Just like Jones, Bayoh started his career as a chorister, performing in the choir stalls of St George's Cathedral Southwark in London. He is currently a member of the Schola Cantorum of the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School.

In November 2022, Bayoh made his Royal Opera House debut, singing the role of Oberto in 'Alcina.'

The two shared a duet in the beautiful St Paul's Church Covent Garden, popularly known as The Actors' Church, in Covent Garden.

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Doing the recording session at the altar seemed effortless for Jones, having been a young chorister himself at one point in his life.

Some people couldn't help but gush over the performance, with some people particularly praising Bayoh for his talent, which some described as a "once-in-a-generation talent."

Meanwhile, others praised Bayoh for being able to perform with such strength despite getting heckled during the opening night of 'Alcina.'

"Such a beautiful voice. I'm so pleased that Malakai M Bayoh's voice and performance is growing from strength to strength. Especially after the abuse he suffered earlier this year. What a talented hero," one user wrote.

The Royal Opera House has since banned the said operagoer for what it did to Bayoh.

"We are appalled that a member of the audience behaved in this way and steps have been taken to ensure the audience member in question does not return to the Royal Opera House," the Royal Opera House wrote in its tweet.

Meanwhile, others were moved by the performance of the two – a crossover of a boy treble from the 80s and another from this generation.

"How beautiful. Watching Aled always makes me emotional because it brings back memories of my grandma loving his voice as a young chorister; and the performance from this young lad is absolutely beautiful too. He has such confidence and expression and makes it look effortless," the user wrote.

It was as if Bayoh found the perfect person to share his voice with in Jones – and what better way to celebrate it than a song loved by many and one that encapsulates the true meaning of Christmas.

What can you say about Aled Jones and Malakai Bayoh's duet? Were you also moved by their performance? Let us know your thoughts, and pass this on to anyone who might find this story interesting!