When George Cables agreed to play on this, my first CD, I was incredulous at such good fortune. In the course of our twenty-five year friendship I had heard him play with masters such as Bobby Hutchinson, Freddie Hubbard, Dexter Gordon, Phil Woods... To be in a musical collaboration - a duo setting no less - with an artist of his stature was the stuff of dreams.

To make the CD, George came and stayed for a week at our home. We had two long sessions each day, rehearsing and working out arrangements in the backyard "Emerson Studio of Music." In between we shared meals, movies, and philosophies.

The result of this magical time is "A Felicidade" which is the Portuguese word for happiness. It is with great happiness that I offer this recording to the listener. George likes it. I like it. (My mother loves it!) We hope you will too.