Oscar Hammerstein (i)

I like to write tunes. By tunes I mean real hummable melodies. Some people scoff at this as if 'that's easy' or 'not exactly art', but I thoroughly disagree. Lots of songwriters write both music and lyrics, and I've given lyrics a go, but I like to stick to the music. In my opinion, my job is to serve a lyric. A great melody can carry a poor lyric, but a good lyric sure as hell ain't gonna carry a bad tune. When you combine both a great lyric and a great melody then you've hit the jackpot.

Four-time Grammy nominee, singer/pianist Karrin Allyson, has confirmed the 9/18 release of 'Many a New Day (Karrin Allyson Sings Rodgers & Hammerstein)'. The 14-song collection features Allyson's romantic, sly and swinging take on songs that have become part of our cultural fabric, from 'Oh, What a Beautiful Morning' to 'Happy Talk' to 'I Cain't Say No' and numerous others. A full track listing follows. The collection, which marks the singer's debut on the Motéma label, features the distinctive pairing of Kenny Barron on piano and John Patitucci on bass (only the second time the two have recorded together.)