Mark James

After years of intensely inspired conception, tender loving execution and immaculate fruition, Mark Stephens’ 13-song The Dream of The Peaceful Warrior is an astounding all-star work of spiritual vision and musical fusions featuring special guests Chaka Khan, Andrae’ Crouch, Take 6, Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler, Marcus Miller, Boney James and the late, great Michael Brecker. The jazz and soul-kissed music whisks the listener on a magical journey of love and unity in stylistic genres that span from Africa, Brazil and Cuba to places that only the imaginations of peace-seeking dreamers can conjure.

This 2014 Onyx release gives violinist James Ehnes an opportunity to present his talents in different contexts, first as the soloist in the Violin Concerto by Aram Khachaturian, and secondly as the leader of the Ehnes String Quartet in performances of Dmitry Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 7 in F sharp minor, and the String Quartet No. 8 in C minor. Naturally, the concerto is a colorful display piece that gives Ehnes the chance to show off his prodigious skills, and he is outstanding in this exciting performance with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mark Wigglesworth.