Ginny Carr and the Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet recently paid proper homage to vocalese master Eddie Jefferson Eddie Jefferson
1918 - 1979
vocal with the song "He Was the Cat," from Hustlin' For A Gig (HouseKat Records, 2012). Jefferson, along with Clarence Beeks (King Pleasure King Pleasure
1922 - 1982
vocal ), specialized in writing lyrics for and singing the more notable jazz compositions, like "Moody's Mood for Love" and "Parker's Mood." This rarefied musical form has remained dormant for many years, waiting for a new talent to pen new lyrics for old instrumentals. Enter New York City native Dorian Devins on her debut, The Procrastinator. With no shortage of guts does she enter this honored fray, seasoning a collection of standards with her lyrically applied talent to hard bop giants including trumpeters Lee Morgan Lee Morgan
1938 - 1972
trumpet and Kenny Dorham Kenny Dorham
1924 - 1972
trumpet , and saxophonist Wayne Shorter Wayne Shorter
b.1933
saxophone .

Devins possesses a well-behaved and muscular alto voice that complements her disciplined singing style, one guided by melody in the midrange, not unlike Miles Davis Miles Davis
1926 - 1991
trumpet trumpet vision of the '50s and '60s. Standards first: "Let's Get Lost" is a naked wink at Chet Baker Chet Baker
1929 - 1988
trumpet , sung minimalistically, sans vibrato. "I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry" could have easily acknowledged Dexter Gordon Dexter Gordon
1923 - 1990
sax, tenor , with saxophonist Peter Brainin turning in a densely melodious solo. "Better Than Anything" swings as hard as any waltz can. Devin's singing is crisp and exact and very hip. "Speak Low" is given a breezy Latin vibe where Devins deftly surfs among its waves.

The vocalese: Devin's supplies moody lyrics to Shorter's abstract "Momentum," based on "Deluge," from Juju (Blue Note, 1964), drummer Steve Johns capturing Tony Williams Tony Williams
1945 - 1997
drums ' post-bop groove. But it is the title cut, Morgan's "The Procrastinator," where Devins absolutely kills. Bassist Karl Kaminski introduces the piece with staccato arco strokes made Baroque by Devins' arrangement and singing. She navigates her (and Morgan's) crazy counterpoint through verses that avoid the anachronistic tendency to pepper the lyrics with jazz allusions. She chooses a literal interpretation of the title, spinning a tale of putting things off. The song is broken by a swinging interior of solos, with Richie Vitale offering a full-bore trumpet solo.

Devins' other adaptations, Dorham's "La Mesha," from saxophonist Joe Henderson Joe Henderson
1937 - 2001
sax, tenor 's Page One (Blue Note, 1963), and Morgan's "Lament for Stacy," Art Blakey Art Blakey
1919 - 1990
drums and The Jazz Messengers The Jazz Messengers
' S'Make It (Verve, 1963), and "Soft Touch," also from The Procrastinator (Blue Note, 1967) are all ballads, a format not generally used for vocalese lyric writing. Devins shows herself not only capable, but quite facile in writing for instrumental ballads. Brainin's flute gives the piece a light and airy feel, one that compares well to the previous song on the disc, the Jobim/Lees ballad, "Dreamer." Lou Rainone kicks up in the piano solo, as does Kaminski in his bass outing.

The Procrastinator is a solid jazz vocal debut by an intelligent and thoughtful singer. Devins has one of those voices and vocal capabilities that make her express only confidence. She takea a less often traveled road and blazes a new trail in standards interpretation.

Track Listing: Let's Get Lost; Momentum; La Mesha; I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry; Better Than Anything; The Procrastinator; Speak Low; Night Bird; Lament for Stacy; Dreamer; Soft Touch; Time Was.

Personnel: Dorian Devins: vocals; Richie Vitale: trumpet, flugelhorn; Peter Brainin: tenor and soprano saxophones, flute; Lou Rainone: piano; Karl Kaminski: bass; Steve Johns: drums.

Record Label: Self Produced

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