Leslie Odom Jr. (album)

2014 Version

Odom started a Kickstarter page for the album, raising $40,791 for the project. Recording began in April 2013 and eventually ended in February 2014. The slow recording process was due to a busy schedule, with his off-Broadway show Venice, his starring role on Smash, and his recurring roles on Person of Interest and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

The album was released through CD Baby on August 12, 2014, after multiple promotional concerts at the Public Theater. The album received positive reviews. David Clarke of Broadwayworld.com said "Fans and newcomers alike can revel in the glory of his decadently jazzy debut solo album, and after just one listen, I'm sure that you'll be hooked... There is a crisp smoothness to Leslie Odom Jr.'s voice that is entirely fascinating, and his self-titled debut album puts his instrument on full display."

Revisions and 2016 re-release

Due to a lack of sales and Odom not being entirely satisfied with the work, Odom returned to the recording studio to record a longer, more focused album. Six tracks were kept for the new version, though some were reorganized, and three songs—"Sarah", "Song for the Asking", and "Wild Is the Wind"—were cut, and four new songs were added. One of them, "Autumn Leaves", was released as a single before the album came out. The updated version was released on iTunes and CD on June 10, 2016.