Claire Martin, Scott Dunn & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - I Watch You Sleep (2023) [Hi-Res]

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 with 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 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.

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'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 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.

Claire Martin has established herself as a tour de force on the UK jazz scene. She has enjoyed worldwide critical acclaim and gained many honours, including eight British Jazz Awards, during a career of over three decades. Claire has performed worldwide with her trio and, until his death in 2012, worked extensively with Sir Richard Rodney Bennett in a cabaret duo setting both in England and the US where they played to sell-out houses at venues

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 Martin.

Scott Dunn - conductor, arranger, piano on tracks 15&16; Claire Martin - vocals; with Rob Barron - piano; Matt Skelton - drums; Jeremy Brown - double bass; Ryan Quigley - flugelhorn and with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

'This recording is treasurable, with superb musicianship and a timeless sensibility. Claire Martin and Scott Dunn have not only lovingly preserved Richard Rodney Bennett's canon but in the process have given us the joy of discovering some songs we might never have heard otherwise, and that would have been a great loss!' - Michael Feinstein