Personnel
Scott Dunn Conductor, Arranger
Claire Martin Vocals
and
Rob Barron Piano, Matt Skelton Drums, Jeremy Brown Double Bass, Ryan Quigley Flugelhorn
with
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Orchestra
First Violins: Tamás András, Shana Douglas, Esther Kim, Eriko Nagayama, Andrew Klee, Kay Chappell, Anthony Protheroe, Erik Chapman, Adriana Iacovache-Pana, Imogen East, Second Violins: Elen Hâf Rideal, David O’Leary, Jennifer Christie, Charlotte Ansbergs, Peter Graham, Jennifer András, Stephen Payne, Victoria Lyon, Anais Boyadjieva, Violas: Abigail Fenna, Liz Varlow, Joseph Fisher, Ugne Tiškuté, Chian Lim, Jonathan Hallett, Cellos: Richard Harwood, Roberto Sorrentino, Jean-Baptiste Toselli, William Heggart, Naomi Watts, Lucy Gijsbers, Double Basses: Benjamin Cunningham, David Gordon, David FC Johnson, Elen Roberts, Flutes (also piccolo and alto): Ian Mullin, Joanna Marsh, Oboe: Daniel Bates, Oboe and Cor Anglais: Maxwell Spiers, Clarinets and Bass Clarinet: Nicholas Carpenter, Katy Ayling, Bassoons: Richard Ion, Emma Harding, Contrabassoon: Alexander Walker, French Horns: Alexander Edmundson, Kathryn Saunders, Kristina Yumerska, Paul Cott, Trumpets: Mike Allen, Adam Wright, Tenor Trombones: Matthew Knight, Rupert Whitehead, Bass Trombone: Josh Cirtina, Tuba: Kevin Morgan, Timpani: Tom Lee, Percussion: Stephen Quigley, Martin Owens, Harp: Daniel De Fry
Producer: Joshua Blair
Engineer: Fiona Cruickshank
Recorded on 24 & 25 August 2022 at Blackheath Concert Halls, London, UK
Executive Producers: Gill Graham and Scott Dunn
Mix and Edit: Joshua Blair
Mastering: John Webber Alchemy Mastering at Air
Recording Rig/Engineering: Sound Corporation
Orchestra Consultant: Ian MacLay
Cover Art by Robert Courtright (1926-2012)
Collage Construction (1980) used with permission of the artist’s estate
Art Photography by Evan Bedford
Session Photography and Graphic Design by Nadja von Massow / nad.works
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