January 30, 2006

"Varied" is a word that can be used to describe just the material in Darius de Haas's satisfying set, which included jazz, soul and pop songs. There were high-energy, funky turns and serious moments such as "It Is Still Dark," part of a song cycle with the poetry of Celso Gonzalez-Falla set to music by Louis Rosen. Host Caruso introduced the singer as "the amazing Darius de Haas," who used the same adjective to characterize Bruce Barth, who was on piano, and Stevie Wonder, whose songs he featured. Darius has been performing Wonder's repertoire in concert recently and his soaring, energetic melodies are a good match for the vocalist's wide-ranging voice and fearless style. (He wisely saved the best and most emotional of these for last: "If It's Magic" was the very effective encore, allowing Darius's pure, angelic tones and sensitive interpretation of the tender lyric to be the last impression of the show.)

Some of his genre-spanning interests and influences come from growing up in a musical family. In addition to those in his own generation, Darius mentioned his father, jazz bassist Eddie de Haas (whose resume includes a gig at the original Birdland) and his mother, a singer. She and her sister sang (as The Bey Sisters) with his uncle, singer-pianist Andy Bey, in the 1950s and '60s. "Maybe that's why I'm so eclectic," he commented. "Don't blame me!" Andy Bey piped up, with a laugh, from the crowd. Darius gave special attention to Billy Strayhorn, whose songwriting he saluted in his rewarding solo album and past concerts. His presentation of the CD's title song, "Daydream," was vocally and dramatically thrilling, all the more so because of its uncluttered arrangement. The three-piece band got its fullest workout in an all-stops out jam on Kenny Rankin's "In the Name of Love," as percussionist Steve Kroon and guitarist Kenny Brescia stretched out, as did top-drawer pianist Barth while Darius not only wailed but did some dance steps, all to a roaring approval from the audience.

As an extra added attraction, Darius had a star as his guest. Midway through the act, Vanessa Williams joined him on stage. He spoke warmly of their past musical associations, and she added, "Shall we tell them how we met?" (pause) "We were in jail together." And then they smiled and clarified things: they were both on Broadway in The Kiss of the Spider Woman. After a few other anecdotes, they rapturously duetted on the pop ballad, "(With You) I'm Born Again." This highlight and its reception made for a tough act to follow, so the still-beaming Darius took a deep breath and said, "I'm so happy I feel the need to sing in Portuguese." And he eased into one of the Jobim songs from Black Orpheus, a film he dubbed as "amazing," using once again using what seemed to be the adjective of the night. It's one that really does fit this singer, his wide range of vocal colors and his power - not just the physical power of his voice as an instrument, but his ability to use it to move an audience.