August 11, 2002

Darius de Haas, "Day Dream: Variations on Strayhorn" (*** 1/2, PS Classics). The name may not ring a bell, but de Haas is well-known in musical theater circles, through performances on Broadway in "Marie Christine" and the concert version of "Dreamgirls," and off-Broadway in his Obie Award-winning performance in "Running Man." More than a year ago, he put together a concert collection of Billy Strayhorn tunes that was greeted with rave reviews. "Day Dream" is the follow-up studio recording.
There are a lot of things to like: first, the fundamental fact that a collection of Strayhorn's marvelous songs has been put together; second, that some of the tunes have never before been recorded, including new lyrics by Elvis Costello for the classic "Blood Count," here retitled "My Flame Burns Blue"; and third, that De Haas digs into this material with enormous creativity and imagination.

De Haas' interpretations are driven by an astonishingly versatile voice. Switching his intense vibrato on and off at will, soaring up into piercing head tones, dropping into deeper chest sounds, De Haas applies this rich vocabulary of sounds to the job of telling Strayhorn's compelling musical stories.

In the tune that is the obvious touchstone for the Strayhorn catalog, "Lush Life," he captures the dark angst of the lyrics, initially in a stunning rubato duet with saxophonist Roy Nathanson, later in a kind of intimate, passionate conversation with his accompanying ensemble. It's a remarkable performance, and only one of many in this not-to-be-overlooked album.