Actual Size features 3 horns, rhythm section, and on two songs a 33-voice choir was released in 2000. The music is all original and features Ron Horton on trumpet, John McKenna on saxophone and Art Baron on trombone. The rhythm section includes Bernard Purdie playing drums on 3 cuts, Tony Moreno playing drums on the others. Harvie S and Arthur Kell share the bass chair, and Memo Acevedo is featured on percussion. This is an ambitious, long-term project and it represents a departure for Peggy in scope and concept with the use of horns with choir, horns in fugue, and funky, danceable rhythms all serve to make it accessible to a wide cross-section of listeners. Actual Size – Press Reviews Pianist Peggy Stern has been known for her work with Lee Konitz, but such top-flight releases as Actual Size should solidify her solo reputation as a unique, innovative composer-bandleader. Her ensemble sound is spearheaded by John McKenna\'s tenor sax, Ron Horton\'s trumpet, and Art Baron\'s trombone, with additional support from, among others, bassist Harvie S. and drummer Bernard Purdie. - by Drew Wheeler ____________________________________________________________ Peggy Stern is an exceptional composer and pianist...and we would bet that most folks don\'t even know who she is. We certainly didn\'t...until we were fortunate enough to come across this wonderfully entertaining disc. Mrs. Stern\'s piano compositions have a unique wild undercurrent that makes them fascinating. Her music is full of surprises...and her choice of backing musicians is superb. - www.babysue.com ___________________________________________________________ In moodier states of mind, Stern offers the haunting waltz \"The Aerie,\" and mystery riddled solo piano intro to the light, airy, gay and traipsing Brazilan feel of \"Attila (for Attila Zoller)/Zolong.\" Lovely, patient horns with wistful samba or Native American rhythmic shadings inform the title cut, and a delicate bossa nova vocal choir evokes near ghostly images during \"New Rain.\" Stern\'s most impressive writing comes full force on \"Room Enough,\" as contrasting light swing and heavy or probing horns buoy Stern\'s inquisitive modal piano with distinct boppish inferences. Peggy Stern is quite a musician that the jazz world is relatively unaware of. This exceptional recording should change that, it\'s a strong effort front to back, highly recommended… by Michael G. Nastos