August 11, 2002

*** ½
DARIUS de HAAS - Day Dream: Variations on Strayhorn

Although singer Darius de Haas has contributed to a number of high-toned recording projects in recent years, including Michael John LaChiusa's 1999 musical "Marie Christine," with this solo release he announces himself as a potentially major jazz vocalist.

Offering sometimes radical reappraisals of jazz standards by composer Billy Strayhorn, De Haas proves fearless in recasting these tunes in original, distinctive ways. Generally, he leans toward slow tempos, dreamy moods and unabashedly idiosyncratic phrasings, but this seemingly leisurely approach allows him to explore otherwise forgotten details of such well-worn fare as "Take the 'A' Train" and "Lush Life." His pairing of "Passion Flower" and "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" is particularly effective, reminding listeners that Strayhorn's best tunes stand as art songs worthy of meticulous interpretation.