"Of all the many musicians who inspire me, it s Leonard Bernstein who turns up, more or less every day, by my side, over my shoulder, reminding me of what a musician can be. Of what music can do in this world - how it can reach and teach and make things happen. Just remember what happened to American music when Lenny came along, everything he changed. He never stopped searching, questioning the status quo, redefining the possible, imagining the future. Something s coming...

This album is a tribute to Lenny's vision for American music. The artists who join me here - the composers who have written new Anniversaries for Lenny; the performers who sing and play and reimagine his songs we re only here together at all because of the rules he broke and the doors he knocked down, the future he imagined. We come from all over the landscape of American music, from bluegrass to beatbox, conservatory to cabaret, the Met to the multiplex. Because of Lenny s legacy, there s a place for us.

This is a celebration of his life, his music and his imagination. It comes with joy and gratitude - for Lenny, with love. Lara Downes"

Tracklist:

Something's Coming (From "West Side Story")
Anniversary For Lenny
Anniversaire For Lenny
Romance For Lenny
Iconoclasm (For Lenny)
Fancy Free: Big Stuff
4 Anniversaries: No. 2, For Johnny Mehegan
7 Anniversaries: No. 1, For Aaron Copland
13 Anniversaries: No. 3, For Stephen Sondheim
Evening Primrose: I Remember (Arr. For Piano)
Cool (From "West Side Story") [Arr. For Clarinet & Piano]
Wonderful Town: Story Of My Life (Arr. J. Distler For Piano)
Arias & Barcarolles: No. 5, Greeting (Arr. L. Downes For Piano)
Innocent Psalm (For The Bernstein Baby)
13 Anniversaries: No. 6, For My Daughter, Nina
13 Anniversaries: No. 11, For Felicia, On Our 28th Birthday (And Her 52nd)
So Pretty
Anniversary In Memoriam (For Lenny)
5 Anniversaries: No. 2, For Lukas Foss
For Lenny (Variation On New York, New York)
What Shall We Remember? (Arr. For Piano)
Mass: Hymn & Psalm "A Simple Song"
Exuberance (For Lenny)
13 Anniversaries: No. 4, For Craig Urquhart
Remembering Lenny
Goodbye Chorale (For Lenny)
Youth, Day, Old Age & Night (Arr. L. Downes For Piano)
Some Other Time (From "On The Town") [Arr. J. Distler For Piano]

UPC: 842840112518
Label: Sony Masterworks
Release Date: 2.9.18
Format: CD

Lara Downes - Lara Downes & Friends (CD)