Scott Dunn's Moving Tribute to Oscar Nominated Composer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett

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Album Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Death of Oscar Nominated Composer Richard Rodney Bennett

Marking the 10th anniversary of the death of celebrated composer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, I Watch You Sleep is a tenderly curated album conceived by American conductor, arranger, and pianist Scott Dunn, featuring award winning British jazz vocalist Claire Martin OBE, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, produced by Grammy Award winning Joshua Blair and Exec-produced by Richard's dear friend and publisher Gill Graham.

Expertly led and orchestrated by Dunn, the album released on Stunt Records shines a bright light on Bennett's music and the songs he loved to perform. Known for numerous film scores (two of which received Oscar nominations) and a rich catalogue of concert music, this compilation of Bennett's original songs alongside works by Harold Arlen, Johnny Mandel, Vernon Duke and Kurt Weill is a fitting testament to his many talents.

The first single from the album and the title track I Watch You Sleep is released on 23rd December and marks a decade since Sir Richard's death. It is a rich and sumptuous orchestral arrangement of Bennett's Love Theme from the 1979 film Yanks featuring acclaimed vocalist Claire Martin, who under Dunn's direction glides effortlessly through this perfect accompaniment for Christmas and the holiday season.

Scott Dunn is one of the most versatile artists of his generation, having led many of the world's most prestigious orchestras including the LA, BBC and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras, the Atlanta, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Sydney, and Vancouver Symphony Orchestras. He has held positions with Pittsburgh Opera, New York City Opera, Glimmerglass Opera and currently serves as the associate conductor of the Los Angeles Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Dunn is also a well-respected pianist and soloist, having made his concerto debut at Carnegie Hall with his orchestration of the 'lost' Vernon Duke Piano Concerto . He's collaborated with innumerable headliners, most recently Grammy nominated singer songwriter/composer Rufus Wainwright, and jazz vocalist Claire Martin who regularly performed with Richard Rodney Bennett on both sides of the Atlantic. To mark what would have been Rodney Bennett's 80th birthday in 2016, Dunn broadcast a tribute concert on BBC3 with the BBC Concert Orchestra and for which he orchestrated Four Bennett Jazz Songs included in this recording.

Says Dunn about the album "I met Richard in the early nineties. We became best friends and frequent two-piano partners. He was hilarious, brilliant and did not suffer fools. I miss him terribly. He taught me how to play for singers, how to cook, and how to orchestrate. So when approaching these incredible songs, I aimed to arrange and orchestrate them as Richard would have himself. For the songs where I had recordings of him playing and singing, the recordings served as references for harmonies, style, tempi, and format.

Throughout this new recording Scott Dunn conducts his lavish orchestral arrangements performed by Claire Martin and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Also featured on the album are jazz pianist Rob Barron, bass player Jeremy Brown and drummer Matt Skelton. And on the final two tracks of this beautiful tribute. Dunn also appears as pianist accompanying vocalist Claire Martin.

Track Listing:

1 I Watch You Sleep R.R.Bennett/Joel Siegel 04:30

2 Autumn in New York Vernon Duke/Vernon Duke 05:37

3 It's Only a Paper Moon Harold Arlen/Yip Harburg/Billy Rose 04:26

4 For Ev'ry Man There's a Woman/ It Was Written In The Stars

Harold Arlen/Leo Robin 03:35

5 Round About Vernon Duke/Ogden Nash 05:36

6 I'll Always Leave the Door A Little Open* Johnny Mandel/F.R.Underwood & R.R.Bennett 04:33

7 I Wish I'd Met You* Johnny Mandel/F.R.Underwood & R.R.Bennett 04:59

8 Don't Play Games With Love* R.R.Bennett/F.R.Underwood 05:13

9 Goodbye For Now R.R.Bennett/Charles Hart 04:30

10 Early To Bed R.R.Bennett/F.R.Underwood 03:27

11 I Never Went Away R.R.Bennett/R.R.Bennett 04:07

12 Let's Go and Live in the Country R.R.Bennett/R.R.Bennett 02:53

13 Not Exactly Paris Michael Leonard/Russell George 04:24

14 My Ship* Kurt Weill/Ira Gershwin 03:59

15 I Wonder What Became Of Me** Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer 04:01

16 It Was Written in the Stars** Harold Arlen/Leo Robin 05:13

*All music arranged and orchestrated by Scott Dunn, except My Ship arranged by Scott Dunn and R.R.Bennett and I'll Always Leave the Door a Little Open, I Wish I'd Met You & Don't Play Games with Love arranged by Rob Barron with Scott Dunn

**Scott Dunn, piano these two tracks

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