(Mack Avenue)

Saxophonist Jimmy Greene’s daughter Ana Grace was one of 20 children killed in the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut on December 14, 2012. Beautiful Life is Greene’s loving tribute to his beloved daughter. Though the understandable sorrow of a father can be felt, the album is a work of both celebration and healing. Greene was joined in the making of this recording by the outstanding rhythm section of Renee Rosnes on piano, Christian McBride on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. Guitarists Pat Metheny and Jonathan DuBose, Jr. guest on the effort, as well as pianists Kenny Barron and Cyrus Chestnut. Vocalists Kurt Elling is joined by the Linden Christian School Early Years Choir, featuring some of Ana’s former classmates on one of the tunes. Javier Colon and Latanya Farrell provide vocals on two other tracks. A spoken word piece from the Tony Award®-winning Anika Noni Rose, one of Ana’s favorites actresses, and a 13-piece string ensemble from the Hartford Symphony Orchestra are part of the production as well. Ana’s own beautiful singing voice is wonderfully used to close one track in this mosaic of sound and emotion and love. The recording is simply beautiful.