Donovan Mixon’s artistry has no boundaries. Classical, funk, jazz...it’s all here in one recording. His music is the embodiment of human expression and he has provided for our hearts and ears, a classic work of art in expression. -Henrietta Robinson, Musician and Radio Host, “The Jazz Gallery”, WGBH-89.7 fm, Boston, MA USA It is with pleasure to present these performances and compositions for the first time to the US jazz audience. They come from two European releases: Look Ma, No Hands! - featuring Frank Wilkins, Alvin Terry, Brian McCree with the impeccable George Garzone and Language of the Emotions that features the celebrated Italian jazz musicians Bruno Cesselli, Dario Deidda and Enzo Zirilli. Of course it was a special delight to have the exquisite Eddie Henderson play on several tracks. I will forever be indebted to these great musicians for their contributions to these recordings. To each, I again would like to express a heartfelt thank you. The title composition, 'We Play When We Play' is a translation of the original title in Italian: Giochiamo Quando Suoniamo. 'Giochiare' is Italian for 'to play' as in to play games or with a sense of fantasy. 'Suonare' means 'to play' as in to make sound. I wrote this piece as a dedication to all musicians as we routinely surrender ourselves to our imaginations to 'play' with sound. Of all the arts, I think it is music that communicates best the residue of our experiences in the world; that is, how we feel about them. Music is the language of the emotions. Donovan Mixon