For several years Val Wiseman has toured with her Billie Holiday tribute, 'Lady Sings The Blues'. Alyn Shipton (Jazz critic of The Times and presenter of BBC Radio 3's Jazz Library) said, "I knew of Val's work with such bands as those of Monty Sunshine, Alex Welsh and Kenny Baker, but there's a big difference between singing a few numbers with a band and fronting an entire show, particularly one based on such a charismatic and individual singer as Billie. I found the evening thoroughly enjoyable and wrote a strongly positive review because I felt Val had avoided the obvious route of imitating Billie, by bringing her own interpretation and personality to the songs." Val now has a new show, 'Sophisticated Lady' based on the songs of Duke Ellington. She is joined by pianist and arranger Martin Litton who has played in the bands of Harry Gold, The Swedish Jazz Kings, Kenny Ball and Humphrey Lyttelton. Along with a small group of respected Jazz musicians they explore the little discussed aspect of Duke's work his talent as a songwriter. There's a mixture of the obvious and the not so obvious all bound together with Martin's tasteful arrangements. This CD is designed to complement and promote the 'live' show.