Hot, hazy evenings, coastal breezes carrying cooling air tinged with the scent of sea salt — what could be better? Whether you’re on the water or traveling to imaginary coasts from the comfort of your balcony with a cool glass of lemonade, we’ve got the perfect soundtrack for you.
The 2026 additions to our Sounds of Summer playlist include a variety of odes to the spirit of the season from Linda Strommen, Lindsey Goodman, Thomas Moore, Dave Brubeck, Darryl Taylor, Louise Toppin, University of Washington Chorale, Gary Eskow, and Karen Amrhein.
“Summer Song” from The Real Ambassadors
Dave Brubeck
“Summer Song” is a standout track from The Real Ambassadors, a celebrated 1962 jazz musical and concept album. Composed by Dave Brubeck with lyrics by his wife, Iola Brubeck, the song beautifully captures the warmth, peace, and fleeting nature of the summer season.
THE VOICE OF BRUBECK, VOL. 2
Hot on the heels of its first installment, Navona Records presents THE VOICE OF BRUBECK VOL. 2, a vibrant continuation of the acclaimed series celebrating Dave Brubeck’s musical legacy.
A Summer’s Journey
Linda Strommen, Eric Ewazen
Much like summer, “A Summer’s Journey is a work that is expressive and flowing throughout,” says composer Eric Ewazen. “The music I wrote was influenced by the wonderfully vivid imagery of the poems, with flowing lines representing water, and shimmering, playful gestures depicting rustling leaves.”
LIFE’S JOURNEYS
LIFE’S JOURNEYS by oboist Linda Strommen is the culmination of her decades collaborating with composer Eric Ewazen and an elegant and captivating experience designed to transform, heal, and inspire listeners.
“A Something In A Summer’s Day” from Four Nature Canticles
Lindsey Goodman, Nancy Galbraith
“A Something In A Summer’s Day” duet for flute and piano, was adapted from the first movement of the composer’s vocal suite, Four Nature Canticles, premiered in 2012 by the Kent Place Chamber Singers female choir in Chatham NJ. The text for that movement was taken from a poem by Emily Dickinson. The duet was premiered in 2019 by Goodman and pianist Robert Frankenberry for the Resonance Works’ Chamber Series in Pittsburgh PA.
TRANSPORTING BRIGHT
From lively miniatures to cutting-edge electroacoustic experiments, Goodman navigates the diverse works with thrilling flair and passion, shining a white-hot light on the possibilities of new music.
The Last Rose Of Summer
Thomas Moore
The Last Rose of Summer from Benjamin Britten’s Folksong Arrangements, Vol. 4 is a poignant, passionate folksong setting. Originally composed by Britten in 1957, it is a much sadder, more sentimental counterpart to his other Irish folk songs. This piece evokes the bittersweet, nostalgic final moments of the season, using a solitary, late-blooming flower to reflect on loneliness, aging, and mortality.
THREE CENTURIES OF THOMAS MOORE
THREE CENTURIES OF THOMAS MOORE brings together three unique perspectives to the melodies and texts, celebrating the beautiful melodies and sentiments of Moore’s timeless works.
