Dena Derose - Live At Jazz Standard Vol. 1, 2 (2007-2008)

There have been a number of singing jazz pianists over the years, yet most have been stronger in one area or the other. Dena DeRose was a pianist first and took up singing only after a hand injury sidelined her from playing for a time. But she is the real deal, able to bring out the best in the music and lyrics to any given piece. Her snappy take of the standard "Speak Low" features her assertive playing, along with a bit of soft scat as she winds up the piece. DeRose wrote the lyrics to Philippe Petrucciani's haunting ballad "This Is Love," a challenging piece that also showcases bassist Martin Wind. Cole Porter's "Get out of Town" seems like a song in danger of overexposure, yet the pianist's amusing approach includes her dark extended vamp and Matt Wilson's unusual percussion line in the introduction. She proves captivating in her solo feature, the bittersweet ballad "A Table Set for Solitude." Her bluesy arrangement of "Alone Together" and delicate bossa nova treatment of "On Green Dolphin Street" also shine. Tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm is added for "I Fall in Love Too Easily," providing an emotional foil for her moving vocal. For DeRose's jaunty take of "Lover," she shows off a bit of playful stride piano before switching to the more familiar jazz waltz setting.

Tracklist:

01. Speak Low
02. This Is Love
03. Get Out of Town
04. A Table Set For Solitude
05. It Could Happen to You
06. Alone Together
07. Green Dolphin Street
08. I Fall in Love Too Easily
09. Lover



Dena DeRose is one of a handful of jazz artists who is equally talented as both a vocalist and pianist. Live at Jazz Standard, Vol. 2 is drawn from the same 2007 shows as the first volume, with the capable rhythm section of bassist Martin Wind and drummer Matt Wilson (who have worked together a good bit, especially with pianist Bill Mays). Right away she sets herself apart from many vocalists by tackling the subtle ballad "The Ruby and the Pearl," delivering a heartfelt vocal with simmering piano. She adds a bit of playful scat to her jaunty performance of Benny Carter's "When Light Are Low," while tackling Johnny Frigo's "Detour Ahead" as a breezy bossa nova. DeRose omits the piano entirely from her moving take of the bittersweet standard "I Fall in Love Too Easily," backed solely by Wind. DeRose gets a bit tickled in several places during"Laughing at Life," while her strident piano provides the perfect complement to her swinging vocal. Her sole instrumental is a lively trio setting of Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way." Highly recommended.

Tracklist:

01. The Ruby And The Pearl
02. When Lights Are Low
03. Detour Ahead
04. Anchors Aweigh/I Fall In Love Too Easily
05. In Your Own Sweet Way
06. I Can't Escape From You
07. Laughing At Life
08. We'll Be Together Again