October, 2002

His singular treatments, at once earthy and ethereal, of such Strayhorn classics as "Satin Doll," "Passion Flower," "Lush Life" and "Something to Live For," along with his jaunty, joyful ride through "Just a Sittin' and A-Rockin'," are each worth the price of admission. But de Haas digs deeper, unearthing such rarities as "My Love is as a Fever" and "Take All My Loves," both drawn form Strayhorn and Ellington's ambitious Shakespeare suite, Such Sweet Thunder. He also introduces two previously un-produced tracks - the tender "House on a Hill" and the peppery "Got No Time" - from Rose Colored Glasses, an aborted collaboration with Luther Henderson.

Blending the elegance of Audra McDonald with the bold exuberance of Brian Stokes Mitchell, de Haas transforms his first solo album, day dream, into one of the finest Strayhorn salutes ever captured on disc.

The only protestation I can raise is that de Haas doesn't include "Chelsea Bridge," a staple of his live Strayhorn shows, among the albums 15 Tracks. That Trivial complaint aside, day dream truly is a lovesome thing.