In 2007 Norman started composing music for poems by E.E. Cummings that he felt drawn to. This album is the result.

Working with three of his favorite musicians - trumpet player Nick van Dijk, vocalist Hannah Griffin, and reed player Colin Hemmingsen - Norman has written a series of compositions that reflect the quiet, playful and transcendent aspects of Cummings' work.

Six of the pieces are songs; the other six are instrumental variations inspired by Cummings' words. Because there is no rhythm section, the music is very open and spacious, leaving room for the individual voices to stretch out and explore - and for the listener to enter into the performances.

Review

"I really like the way you have given the poet's words room to breathe. And you have spaced out the musical phrasing in a way that is really sensitive to the phrasing and rhythms of the poem. A lovely balance of poem and music. The singer is terrific, and so are all the players. The interludes (Sun, Stars, Moon, etc) make a great overall structure with the poems. And the album is beautifully packaged. Warmest congratulations! It deserves to be widely heard." - Roger Horrocks