Genre: Jazz/Big Band/Vocal/Strings Composers: Assorted The creation of this project has been a life-long ambition of Matt's. It honors the music of both his incredible jazz vocalist mommy, and one of the people he admired most musically and in life, the one and only Mr. Frank Sinatra. Each song was carefully selected for its relevance to each of these artists, as well as their place along the journey. Nominated as Best New Artist at the very first Grammy Awards, Mavis Staples career was Landmark. After the nomination, and after recording three acclaimed LPs for the Capitol Records label, her label mate Frank Sinatra decided to end his own relationship with Capitol. His answer was to form and create his own recording label. Sinatra created Reprise Records. The very first female vocalist he signed, whom Sinatra nicknamed his Swinging Lady, was Samoan-born Mavis Rivers. As a result, Mavis entered the studio in late 1960s to record what would be one of the first three initial releases on Sinatra's Reprise records. Amazingly, Mavis at the time was very pregnant (with MATT); you'll hear those vocals on this recording! PERSONNEL Alto Saxes - Alex Budman, Tammy Danielson Tenor Sax - Larry Cook Baritone Sax - Pat Beliveau Trumpets - Dave Scott, Joel Spanky Gray, Jens Lindemann Trombones - Alex Isles, Brien Matson Bass - Kevin Axt Drums - Steve Moretti Strings performed by members of the Robert McDuffee Center For Strings at Mercer University, Amy Schwartz-Moretti, Director 1st Violins-Amy Schwartz-Moretti (Concertmaster), Anna Black, Virgil Moore, Ally Cohen 2nd Violins-Augusta Schubert, Caitlyn Clingenpeel, Chelsea Cline, Mimi Fan Violas-Carlos Walker, Seido Karasaki, Alec Luna, Cellos-Peyton Magalhaes, Constantine Janello, Luis Parra, Lichi Acosta, Sara Scanlon, Juliana Moroz Basses-Dylan Reckner, Kevin Axt