Singer-songwriter Marilyn Scott’s career-long flirtation with the Great American Songbook blossoms into a fully realized romance with the August 31 release of Nightcap, her second recording for Prana Entertainment. Acclaimed for her emotionally compelling style with both pop and jazz songs, Scott—with the guidance of longtime collaborator and Grammy winning producer George Duke takes a gently swinging, bluesy and jazzy approach to “eight songs I’ve been holding on to in my heart”: “I Wished On A Moon,” “Smile,” “Here’s That Rainy Day,” “Stardust,” “Isn’t This A Lovely Day,” “Here’s To Life,” “Yesterdays” and “If It’s The Last Thing I Do.” Scott’s rendition of “The Look of Love” (from 1998’s Avenues of Love) earned Duke a Grammy nomination for Best Arrangement with vocals. Earlier Scott recordings feature stunning versions of the classics “Skylark,” “The Summer Knows” and “You Don’t Know Me.” Looking back fondly at these successes, she believes that Nightcap is a glorious opportunity to bring her passion for the standards full circle. “I’ve just reached a unique place in my life where it made sense for me to do this kind of record, to convey songs that I have a personal emotional connection to in fresh and distinctive ways,” she says. “The key was finding tunes that are longtime favorites but also haven’t been overdone, and which lyrically possess a certain sincerity that is as much a part of me as the songs I have written. I’m telling tales of life and love, which for me answer questions about the past, where am I now, where I’m heading, and finding new meaning in life and hope for the future.” Nightcap, whose instrumental tracks were cut live in two days, marks the first time that Duke has produced and arranged an entire Scott recording. A veteran of the Los Angeles studio scene before achieving success as a solo artist in the 90’s, Scott also works with a handful of old friends who happen to be some of Los Angeles’ most acclaimed studio musicians and jazz performers—Brandon Fields (sax), Rick Baptist (trumpet), Ray Fuller (guitar), Brian Bromberg (upright bass), Dan Higgins (flute), Brazilian guitarist Dori Caymmi and Vinnie Colaiuta (drums).