Young American baritone NMON FORD has wowed audiences in the US and Europe with a fire and passion that the San Francisco Chronicle calls "at once vigorous and suave." The Los Angeles Times proclaims him "a baritone of commanding voice and presence", while the San Jose Mercury News finds his performance "spontaneous and theatrical."

THE SWEETEST BRILLIANCE, Ford's debut solo release, is a collection of thirteen songs by the duo of Pulitzer Prize-winner WILLIAM BOLCOM and ARNOLD WEINSTEIN. The selections are drawn from their notorious Cabaret Songs Vols. 1-4, whose contents, through quirky melody and unconventional rhyme, tell vivid stories of the seamier side of life and the lush bittersweetness of love. The combination of Ford's theatrical facility, operatically-trained voice make him uniquely qualified to interpret this repertoire.

Furthermore, this is the first time the material has been recorded, other than one-off takes on a song or two, by a male artist. It is also the first by an African-American. It was these characteristics, in addition to Ford's firebrand theatricality, that lead composer William Bolcom to offer enthusiastic endorsement to the project upon hearing demos of some of the songs. Of Ford's new interpretations, Bolcom says, "Hundreds of singers and cabaret artists have done these songs by now. I'm delighted when someone can find a fresh reading on them, Bravo Nmon!"

Bolcom is the recipient of the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for music and has received commissions from the Vienna Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. Librettist and poet Arnold Weinstein's current projects include an adaptation of A View from the Bridge with Bolcom and Arthur Miller for Lyric Opera of Chicago. He recently completed a collaboration with Robert Altman on the libretto for Bolcom's opera McTeague.

Nmon Ford recorded the selections with pianist VICTORIA KIRSCH, whose recent engagements include an international tour with soprano Julia Migenes. Kirsch is a highly-sought-after accompanist and vocal coach with a client list that includes the Los Angeles Opera.

The album was recorded live to 24-bit digital at Capitol Studio B in Hollywood by veteran engineer GABE VELTRY using vintage Telefunken tube microphones and a Steinway concert grand piano of the same manufacture as those played in the German nightclubs where cabaret song began. The record features audiophile-quality 40-bit mastering by MARK CHALECKI of Capitol Mastering.


Check out the artist's website:
http://www.nmonford.com

Track List:
1. Amor
2. Lady Luck
3. Love in the Thirties
4. Poet Pal of Mine
5. He Tipped the Waiter
6. At the Last Lousy Moments of Love
7. Waitin
8. Song of Black Max
9. Toothbrush Time
10. Oh Close the Curtain
11. Angels are the Highest Form of Virtue
12. George
13. Blue

Suggested CDs:

• Hot Tea

Other Genres:

• CLASSICAL: Contemporary
• SPOKEN WORD: With Music
• MOOD: INTELLECTUAL