Cabaret Scenes Review
Deelee Dubé
Helen Theophanous | January 12, 2017 | 0 Comments
Deelee Dubé
The 606 Club, London, U.K., January 4, 2017
Reviewed by Helen Theophanous for Cabaret Scenes
Deelee Dubé
Photo: Eddie KB Aidoo Photography
Deelee Dubé, winner of the 2016 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, was invited by Steve Rubie, owner of the 606 Club, to perform with her quartet in the true spirit of the 606, which has been promoting primarily British jazz artists for 40 years.
The rich tones of Dubé’s voice immediately brought a hint of her idol Vaughan, as the first bars of “Lullaby of Birdland” (George Shearing/George David Weiss) started, Dubé’s voice doubling the tenor sax of Renato D’Aiello, international musician and host of the Monday nights at Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s Club where Dubé is resident singer. A highlight of the evening was “Cherokee” (Ray Noble), which revealed the strong, clear tones of Dubé’s voice, the high notes ringing bell-like and contrasting with the resonant tones of bassist Jay Dervish slipping in and out of a swinging double feel. “Estate” (Bruno Martino/Bruno Brighetti) gave us a brilliant shimmering sax introduction and the bass setting up a strong rhythmic pattern with Alfonso Vitale on drums. Dubé’s voice floated effortlessly with her signature strong legato vocal line. Gabriel Latchin’s beautiful piano solo was followed by the singer returning with a softness enhanced by D’Aiello’s tremolo sax treatment.
The range and depth of tone of Dubé’s voice was demonstrated in her treatment of “Tenderly” (Walter Gross/Jack Lawrence ), another Vaughan favorite and title of Dubé’s soon-to-be-released album. “Rainy Day Blues,” an original, showed the promising potential of Dubé as a songwriter. The influence of Vaughan shone through the repertoire, including her own “Sassy’s Blues.”
Swinging numbers included “I Only Have Eyes for You” (Harry Warren/Al Dubin) where Dubé easily flipped up the octave, relishing the swinging arrangement. “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love” (Jimmy McHugh/Dorothy Fields), “Our Love Is Here to Stay” (George & Ira Gershwin) and “Pennies from Heaven” (Arthur Johnston/Johnny Burke) followed in the same vein. “Darn That Dream” (Jimmy Van Heusen/ Eddie DeLang) opened colla voce and increased in intensity as the trio entered and vocal phrasing was complemented by D’Aiello’s tenor sax. Inflections reminiscent of Vaughan’s style were apparent in this and other songs, such as “All of Me” (Gerald Marks/Seymour Simons) and “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” (Harry M. Woods). “I Got Rhythm” (the Gershwins), with a bravura treatment by the band, and “Stella By Starlight” (Victor Young/Ned Washington) completed a wonderful debut by Dubé at the 606 Club.
Dubé won over the audience as she did the competition judges in New Jersey, and I have no doubt we will be hearing much more from her in the future.
Future gigs: The Elgar Room, Royal Albert Hall London. April 20th 2017 www.royalalberthall.com Mondays at Upstairs at Ronnie Scotts, with Renato D’Aiello www.ronniescotts.co.uk www.deeleedube.com www.606club.co.uk
