Jazz; 52nd St.
Dominique Eade; When the Wind Was Cool
By Michael Colby

Musicians: Dominique Eade (vocals), Fred Hersch (piano), James Genus (bass), Matt Wilson (drums), Peter Leicht (guitar), Steve Nelson (vibraphone). With: Benny Golson (tenor sax), Bob Malach (flute), Bruce Williamson (bass clarinet), Jamie Haddad (frame drum), CafÈ (percussion)

Songs: Moonray, Ridin' High, Something Cool, All About Ronnie, Poor Little Rich Girl, When the Wind Was Green, I'll Take Romance, The Wind, Intrigue, Lullaby of Birdland, The Bad and the Beautiful, Tea for Two, Goodbye

Rating * * * *

After the release of Dominique Eade's first two albums on the Accurate label, Gene Seymour called her "the best singer anyone's hardly heard of." This disc, her first on a major label, should take care of that. Eade (presently 39 years of age) has taught at the New England Conservatory (where she also studied with Ran Blake), and has worked in Boston and New York. This effort should bring her to deserved national attention.

The disc is a tribute to singers June Christy and Chris Connor, which seems at first a bit unusual an undertaking and comes off beautifully. Eade really doesn't sound much like Christy or Connor—her voice is much cleaner and purer, but she manages to evoke the cool which was the essence of their vocal style. (The slight lilt in her voice places her a little closer to Christy than Connor.) Eade takes on the daring feat of tackling both of the tributee's signature songs; "Something Cool" and "All About Ronnie." June Christy casts a very long shadow over "Something Cool." Many singers have attempted it but few have done it justice. Eade's interpretation stands on its own. Few have taken on Connor's trademark "All About Ronnie"; Eade does it successfully.

Part of the credit is due to the excellent backing. There are probably few singers who wouldn't jump at the chance to work with Fred Hersch, whose ever inventive, supportive and sensitive playing is heard on half of the selections, including a tender duet on "When the Wind Was Green." On some cuts Eade completely forgoes the support of a piano—a feat few singers dare attempt. At times Steve Nelson's vibes takes the place, as on Eade's own rousing arrangement of "Moonray," which also features Bob Malach's flute and Bruce Williamson's bass clarinet. Effective arrangements as this recall the wonderful support Christy had from the likes of Pete Rugalo. Eade has the support of only James Genus on "Tea for Two," where her scat singing and sure rhythmic sense brings to mind yet another vocalist of the "cool school," Anita O'Day. Eade's accomplished vocal improvisation also turns up on "Lullaby of Birdland," demonstrating that her facility with scat singing is a quality she has that Christy and Connor lacked.

This is an exciting major-label debut from another engaging new name in jazz singing one hopes we'll be hearing more from in the very near future.

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