Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Don Costa, Neil Hefti, Johnny Mandel, Quincy Jones, Billy Beyers, Gordon Jenkins. These were the main contributors to the oustanding library I spent almost thirty-five years performing as lead alto in the Sinatra Orchestra. Sitting in the middle of that astounding wall of sound provided the most rigorous, expansive schooling in voice leading, counterpoint, and harmonic substitutions any musician could receive. It shaped me, as a player and as a writer. That and my long enduring friendship with Frank Sinatra, Jr., who was the initial catalyst and first producer for this project. It was Frank who came up with the idea of a woodwind orchestra recording, who helped me select material, and planned to sing on a few numbers. It was Frank who hipped me to two revelatory Mercury recordings by TV and film composer Pete Rugolo: ”An Adventure in Sound--Reeds,” and “10 Saxophones and 2 Basses.” Those recordings opened my eyes (and ears) to the full potential of a woodwind orchestra. When A