Music has an unparalleled ability to stir the emotions, awaken memories, and transport the heart and mind to new dimensions. Multi-Grammy nominated pianist/composer/film scorer David Benoit and acclaimed guitarist/composer Marc Antoine manage to do all of the above on their Shanachie debut So Nice! A founding father of contemporary jazz, David Benoit is celebrating his 40th year as a recording artist and has collaborated with everyone from The Rippingtons and Faith Hill to David Sanborn and CeCe Winans. Parisian born guitarist/composer Marc Antoine, also a premiere architect of contemporary jazz, has worked alongside such diverse stars as Sting, George Benson, Cher, Dave Koz, Everette Harp and Celine Dion. Benoit and Antoine first recorded together in the late 90s and finally have the opportunity to record an entire CD together on the wonderfully romantic So Nice! Their new collaboration sizzles with rich harmonies, dancing rhythms and soaring melodies that create the perfect opportunity for the duo to explore their shared passion. “I have loved Brazilian Bossa Nova ever since I first heard Stan Getz and Jao Gilberto together,” confides David Benoit. “But when my parents took my family on a holiday trip to Rio de Janeiro, I really fell in love.” Marc Antoine adds, “My mentors were Andrés Segovia and John Williams and then I heard Baden Powell play this hybrid classical and Brazilian music on the guitar and I fell in love with Brazilian rhythm.”

Shanachie Entertainment VP Of Jazz A&R Danny Weiss states, As great as Marc and David are as individual artists, what's mind blowing about this album is the brilliance and sheer beauty that they create together. In their case 1+1 equals 10!” Veteran manager, A&R guru and seasoned drummer Bud Harner was the vision behind So Nice! “Having worked for many years with David, both on the management side, A&R side, and even back in my playing days, I knew he loved Brazilian music and has recorded many Bossa Novas in his career,” shares Harner. “I thought the perfect guy to team up with David would be Marc Antoine who I had also worked with many times. Marc has incorporated Brazilian music in many of his recordings and is always distinctive and the consummate pro at making great sounding records. So, the three of us got together and decided to make a fun, acoustic, pared down Brazilian style record. No programming, overdubs, basically a live-in-the-studio recording. I’m very proud of the result and of being a part of this album!”

David Benoit and Marc Antoine’s aspirations for So Nice! are so simple. Benoit shares, “I hope my fans will experience a different side of my music and feel my love for Brazilian music and my love affair with the acoustic guitar.” Marc Antoine concludes, “ I want people enjoy listening to the music as much as I enjoyed making this music with my friend. I am sure they will be able to make their own story for each and every song on the record. It is music therapy and this one is a good one! So, lets get our wine bottle opener ready!”