Maud Hixson has released her seventh album; a collection of songs by multi-faceted composer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, best known for his classical works and film scores, and whose jazz compositions revealed his great love of the Great American Songbook. His last concert appearance was with Maud in Manhattan in 2012, and a decade after his passing, she presents his songs written for friends Blossom Dearie, Lena Horne and Cleo Laine, as well as some of his works outside the standard jazz repertoire.

Bennett was born in England, studied classical music in London and Paris, and produced more than 200 works for the concert hall as well as 50 film scores. He earned Academy Award nominations for his scores for Far From The Madding Crowd, Nicholas and Alexandra, and Murder On The Orient Express. He was also an accomplished pianist and singer, and was appointed CBE in 1977, knighted in 1998.