This album received considerable airplay throughout the country on jazz radio stations. In fact, on midnight of New Years Eve 2014 an award was announced. All day long, WRTI (90.1 FM in Philadelphia) was counting down “Top 100 Jazz Countdown of 2014” as decided by voting from their many listeners. When they got to the top of the list, it was announced that the song “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” from this recording was voted #1. Out of all jazz recordings released in 2014 (nationally and internationally), Pete Smyser's track was the most popular. (from the liner notes)... Harry Warren (1893-1981) was one of the most successful composers in the history of popular American music. Yet, as I put this concert program together, it became clear that most people do not recognize his name. If I mention his songs such as “That’s Amore,” “Shuffle Off to Buffalo,” “The Gold Diggers Song (We’re in the Money)” and “At Last,” then puzzlement turns instantly to familiarity. Warren’s anonymity is surprising when you consider his staggering achievements... • Harry Warren was nominated for 11 Oscars, winning three times for best song: “Lullaby of Broadway” in 1935, “You’ll Never Know” in 1943 and “On the Atchison, Topeka and the Sante Fe” in 1946. • He had 42 top 10 hit songs on the radio show “Your Hit Parade” and 21 of these reached #1 on the radio program. At one point he achieved 24 consecutive top 10 hits on the popular show. • Harry Warren had 27 #1 songs in either the US or the UK. • He wrote the music for the song that became the very first gold record in history – Glenn Miller’s 1941 recording of “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” • Warren’s songs eventually appeared in over 300 films. What a shame it is that the genius of Harry Warren is not more celebrated. As you listen to this recording, I hope that you will share my enthusiasm for his songs. He certainly is celebrated here! -Pete Smyser