Devony Smith and Danny Zelibor Reimagine American Art Song with 'In This Short Life’
The title In This Short Life may evoke the ephemerality of existence, but for mezzo-soprano Devony Smith and pianist Danny Zelibor, it marks something far more enduring — a musical testament to trust, resilience, and an unflinching commitment to shaping the future of American art song.
Slated for release on June 13 via Lexicon Classics, this debut album is the culmination of years of collaboration between Smith and Zelibor — a partnership forged in rehearsal rooms, competitions, and live premieres where challenges became building blocks. It’s no accident the album feels alive with possibility: at its heart lies a shared ethos that music should reflect the world we live in, one that is as diverse and complex as the artists who make it.
A Kaleidoscope of Contemporary Voices
The album is a bold, all-American tapestry woven from new and rarely heard works by composers such as Jennifer Higdon, David Lang, Eve Beglarian, Mark Adamo, B.E. Boykin, Jake Landau, Will Liverman, and Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg. These are not your standard recital fare. From the setting of Appalachian folk texts collected by Jean Ritchie to the world-premiere musical adaptation of poetry by Harlem Renaissance icon Anne Spencer — recorded here for the very first time — the repertoire is striking for both its emotional depth and cultural scope.
Joining Smith and Zelibor is cellist Michael Nicolas, a longtime member of the International Contemporary Ensemble, whose precise yet adventurous playing adds another expressive dimension to the project. And with GRAMMY®-nominated producer Jonathan Estabrooks at the helm, the recording captures not just technical polish, but the raw emotional connection these artists bring to the work.
Music Without Boundaries
What sets Smith and Zelibor apart isn’t just their artistic range — it’s their rejection of boundaries. Both raised with strong roots in gospel, their musical DNA spans genres with ease: folk, jazz, musical theater, and contemporary classical all intermingle in their performances. The result is an album that feels emotionally immediate and stylistically fresh, reflecting an America that is multifaceted and ever-changing.
Their story is marked by creative perseverance. Whether navigating unexpected circumstances or embracing the high-stakes pressure of competitions like the Naumburg, the duo’s dynamic has evolved into something almost telepathic. “No idea is off-limits,” they say — and it shows.
More than interpreters, Smith and Zelibor are collaborators with the composers themselves. Their commitment to commissioning and workshopping new music gives them a vital voice in shaping today’s repertoire. It’s a role they don’t take lightly. “We love being part of the birth of new works,” Zelibor explains. “Contemporary music has this amazing ability to unify us, especially in a time when so much pulls us apart,” adds Smith.
A Celebration in Song
The launch of In This Short Life will be celebrated with a live concert on June 13 at The Blue Building in New York City, presented in collaboration with Sessions NYC. There, audiences can experience firsthand the intimacy and innovation that define Smith and Zelibor’s artistic world. Additional summer performances include an appearance at Maine’s Bay Chamber Festival on August 15.
Whether through the sensual lyricism of Higdon’s “Little River,” the meditative power of Boykin’s settings of Maya Angelou, or the spiritual resonance of Spencer’s poetry brought to life by Liverman, each track invites listeners into a deeper, more connected version of American song — one where heritage and experimentation coexist.
In a classical world too often burdened by tradition, Smith and Zelibor are writing a new chapter. In This Short Life is not just a debut — it’s a declaration.
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