Released 31 March 2008

Lizz Wright's first two Verve releases, Salt and Dreaming Wide Awake, established her as one of the jazz world's most celebrated rising stars, both an accomplished songwriter and a versatile, deeply expressive singer.  On her third album The Orchard, the Georgia-bred, New York-based artist takes substantial leap forward, transcending genre distinctions to deliver a vibrant, intensely creative milestone.

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The largely self-penned The Orchard finds Wright mining her own experience to create an unmistakably personal musical statement.  The warmth and resonance of Wright's gospel-trained contralto is matched by the intimacy and authority of such original compositions as ‘Coming Home’, ‘My Heart’, ‘Another Angel’ and ‘When I Fall’.  Wright's interpretive skills are equally impressive on revelatory readings of the Ike and Tina Turner classic ‘I Idolize You’, Sweet Honey in the Rock's ‘Hey Mann’, the Led Zeppelin ballad ‘Thank You’ and Patsy Cline's haunting ‘Strange’.

The Orchard reflects Wright's lifelong musical journey.  The artist was born in the small rural town of Hahira, Georgia, one of three children of a minister father and a mother who sang gospel at church services.  In her childhood, she began playing piano and singing in church with her two siblings.  In high school, she broadened her musical horizons by studying choral singing, performing with groups of various sizes and winning several regional and national awards.

Wright subsequently studied voice at Georgia State University in Atlanta, and continued her musical education at New York's New School and in Vancouver.  Returning to Atlanta, she won considerable regional acclaim after joining the jazz group In the Spirit.  In 2002, Wright gained high-profile acclaim for her performances as part of a touring Billie Holiday tribute, for which several prominent critics singled her out as a future star.

Wright's inspired collaboration with producer Craig Street, that began on her superb second album ‘Dreaming Wide Awake’ continues on The Orchard. While her prior releases boasted contributions from some of the jazz world's most respected jazz players, The Orchard features an eclectic cast that includes noted singer/songwriter Toshi Reagon, who co-wrote several songs with Wright; Calexico members Joey Burns and John Convertino; avant-guitar hero Oren Bloedow; longtime Bob Dylan sideman Larry Campbell; Ollabelle member Glenn Patscha; and guest vocalists Catherine Russell and Marc Anthony Thompson (aka Chocolate Genius). The sensual and soulful results are another leap forward for Wright as she matures into one of the foremost jazz singers of our time.

1. Coming Home
2. My Heart
3. I Idolize You
4. Hey Mann
5. Another Angel
6. When I Fall
7. Leave Me Standing Alone
8. Speak Your Heart
9. This Is
10. Song For Mia
11. Thank You
12. Strange
13. It Makes No Difference
14. My Heart