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In This Short Life
The Debut Album by Devony Smith & Danny Zelibor
Releases June 13, 2025 on Lexicon Classics
🎧 “Little River” by Jennifer Higdon – Out now
🎧 “The Sake of You” by Jake Landau – Out now
Live in NYC – June 13, 2025
📍 The Blue Building (222 E. 46th Street)
📅 Part of Sessions Vol. XXI with Lexicon Classics & Sessions NYC
The evening includes live performances from the album and appearances by guest composers, followed by a reception.
🕔 7:30
Bay Chamber Festival – August 15, 2025
📍 Hammer Hall, Camden, Maine | 🕔 5:30 PM
Listen & Follow
Stream the album on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and 200+ platforms worldwide.
A Debut Album Rooted in Trust, Storytelling, and American Sound
After years of collaboration on stages and in studios, mezzo-soprano Devony Smith and pianist Danny Zelibor are proud to release their first joint album: In This Short Life.
Out June 13, 2025 on Lexicon Classics, the album features a vibrant all-American program brought to life with cellist Michael Nicolas (International Contemporary Ensemble). It’s a bold and emotionally layered celebration of today’s most resonant voices in contemporary art song — composers who speak directly to our time.
The program includes world and recording premieres by GRAMMY® Award winner Jennifer Higdon, Mark Adamo, Pulitzer Prize winner David Lang, Eve Beglarian, B.E. Boykin, Jake Landau, Will Liverman, and Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg.
Highlights include newly commissioned works setting texts by Harlem Renaissance poet Anne Spencer and Appalachian folk lyrics compiled by Jean Ritchie — including the first-ever musical settings and recordings of Spencer’s poetry.
The album is produced and mixed by GRAMMY® nominated producer Jonathan Estabrooks, with engineers Chris Benham and M.P. Kuo and mastering by Alan Silverman. Additional engineering by Caleb Schoberg. It was recorded at Second Story Sound and MAX Studios in New York City.
A Duo Defined by Creative Grit
In This Short Life isn’t just a recording milestone — it’s the reflection of a partnership shaped by trust, experimentation, and a shared artistic mission.
Devony and Danny’s musical language draws from a wide range of influences: gospel, folk, jazz, musical theater, and classical tradition. Their work is unapologetically hybrid — emotional, versatile, and rooted in deep personal rapport.
Their duo emerged through creative challenges and unexpected pivots. A holiday recital at Caramoor where Devony lost her voice mid-program and Danny improvised a Christmas set. Grueling rehearsal marathons preparing for the Naumburg Competition. Sleepless nights premiering new works that required not just technical precision, but humor and resilience. These moments forged a bond — and a musical shorthand — that now defines their work.
As Danny puts it, “We love being part of the birth of new works — helping bring them into the world.” Devony adds, “This album speaks to what excites us about contemporary music: its emotional power, its urgency, and its ability to unify in a time when so much pulls us apart.”
Not Just Performers,
Co-Creators
This is a duo that doesn’t just perform new music — they help make it.
Devony and Danny are deeply involved in commissioning, workshopping, and shaping new art song works with living composers. Their work amplifies underrepresented voices, expanding the boundaries of what art song can be.
In This Short Life reflects that ethos — a curated collection that speaks to personal and cultural legacy, and redefines what American art song sounds like today.
Complete Track Listing
Jake Landau, Sew My True Love (Jubilee)
A folk lyric collected by Jean Ritchie set to new, original music by Landau*
B.E. Boykin, Selections from Moments in Sonder - texts by Maya Angelou +
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“A Conceit”
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“Reverses”
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“The Lesson”
David Lang, simple song #3 - text by David Lang ++
Jennifer Higdon, Little River Songs - text by Jennifer Higdon +
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“Little River”
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“Blue Smoke”
Eve Beglarian, from finish what i haven’t started
“only your dolls” - text by Anne Sexton +
Will Liverman, “For Jim, Easter Eve” - text by Anne Spencer *
Mark Adamo, The Racer’s Widow +
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i. “Jump Cabling” - text by Linda Pastan
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ii. “Across the Space (I)” - text by Tennessee Williams
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iii. “Sentimental poem” - text by Marge Piercy
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iv. “The Racer’s Widow” - text by Louise Gluck
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v. “The Beloved” - from the poem by Sara Teasdale
Will Liverman, “Earth, I thank you” - text by Anne Spencer *
Jake Landau, “The Sake of You”
A folk lyric collected by Jean Ritchie set to new, original music by Landau*
Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg, An Hour of Forever - text by Emily Dickinson +
* World premiere recording
+ Recording premiere
++ Recording premiere of this arrangement
🎤 For Music Presenters
In This Short Life is available as a live recital experience.
The program features world premieres, guest composer collaborations, and flexible concert formats.
📩 Contact us for booking information.
