In recognition of his 40th anniversary with the label, Sony Classical is proud to present Murray Perahia: The First 40 Years. This limited- edition box set includes the artist’s complete recordings for Sony Classical on 68 CDs packaged in mini sleeves featuring the original album cover artwork.
Jan Akkerman and Candy Dulfer are among the guest musicians on this CD, fronted by Ray Fenwick.
Jimmy Scott (born July 17, 1925), aka "Little" Jimmy Scott, is an American jazz vocalist.
Scott has Kallmann's syndrome, a genetic condition. The condition stunted his growth at four feet eleven inches until, at age 37, he grew another 8 inches to the height of five foot seven inches. The condition prevented him from reaching puberty, leaving him with a high, undeveloped voice in the contralto range, hence his nickname "Little" Jimmy Scott.(Wiki)
Thad Jones was an advanced trumpeter/coronetist who was self taught. He played with Hank Jones (yes, his brother) and Sonny Stitt, charles Mingus and Count Basie - very impressive. Not only did he teach himself music well, he also became a talented arranger and composer, especially well known for his classic "A Child is Born", featured magnificently on this cd. ~ Amazon
Jennifer Higdon is a masterful colorist whose music is immediately appealing, full of energy and dash, but also with lyrical movements that grab you and hold your interest with their variety and melodic freshness. She can be brassy and bold like William Schuman and lushly Romantic like Samuel Barber, to mention just two American predecessors her music calls to mind. She also has a strong profile of her own, as we hear in City Scapes, a musical portrait of Atlanta that captures the bustle of a metropolis on the move. It's centerpiece, "river sings a song to trees," is wonderfully paced and engrossing. Concerto for Orchestra is a grand workout for a virtuoso band, teeming with solo turns that can tax all but the best musicians, and passages that spotlight sections of the orchestra with opportunities to strut their stuff. It's a brilliant piece brilliantly played by the Atlantans. Add Telarc's usual terrific sound and this disc becomes a must for fans of accessible modern music.