Multi-Grammy nominated singer and Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane’s new album Blue Skies is a collection of swinging tunes showcasing acclaimed arranger and conductor Andrew Cottee’s deft take on up-tempo modern big band jazz orchestrations.
Recorded at the celebrated Abbey Road studios, Blue Skies features an all-star group of musicians enlisted by Seth MacFarlane including Chuck Berghofer (Bass), Peter Erskine (Drums), Larry Koonse (Guitar), Dan Higgins (Alto Sax), and Tom Ranier (piano).
Together, with longtime friend, collaborator, and producer Joel McNeely, and superb engineer Rich Breen, the album covers compositions by luminaries including Irving Berlin, Sammy Cahn, Edward Heyman, and Frank Loesser. Arranged and conducted by award winning composer Andrew Cottee, the 14-track collection features classics like “No Moon At All,” “On Green Dolphin Street,” and “I Didn't Know About You,” orchestrated with a big band jazz ensemble.
MacFarlane has released six studio albums: Music Is Better Than Words, Holiday For Swing, No One Ever Tells You, In Full Swing, Once In A While, and Great Songs From Stage & Screen. Critically lauded, these albums garnered MacFarlane several No. 1 debuts on the iTunes Jazz Charts and a total of six Grammy nominations. MacFarlane has also performed with the legendary composer John Williams at the Hollywood Bowl, duetted with Barbra Streisand, and joined numerous celebrated symphonies including Boston, San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago, Baltimore, and the National Symphony Orchestra.