DOUYÉ

STAY WITH ME featuring GEORGE CABLES

Groove Note Records

Douyé, vocals/co-producer; George Cables, piano/producer/arranger; Mina Choi, piano/ arranger/co-producer; Edwin Livingston & Sean Conly, bass; Clayton Cameron & Jerome Jennings, drums; Craig Handy & Barclay Moffitt, saxophone; Kye Palmer, Joe Magnarelli & John Bailey, trumpet.

I have been listening to and reviewing Douyé since her first album release. As usual, she approaches each of these familiar standards with her own unique tone and attitude.

George Cables is attentive and supportive throughout, lending beauty to each arrangement with his formidable, sensitive piano playing. As always, Douyé picks songs we know and love, then sings them her own sweet way.  She opens with “Autumn in New York.”

Douyé is a Lagos, Nigerian native who now resides in Los Angeles and has released six albums to date. She studied with the late great Howlett Smith and attended Musician’s Institute in Hollywood.

Douyé began her career singing R&B. Her debut album, “Journey” was released in 2007 featuring songs she and Terry Shaddick wrote.  Shaddick wrote Olivia Newton-John’s multi-platinum hit “Physical.”  But her dying father’s request was for her to sing jazz. This redirected her musical path. You can hear her jazz inflections even in those early R&B recordings.

This vocalist has always loved jazz.  Growing up in Nigeria, their home was full of American music.  She listened to Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and the mother of jazz, Ella Fitzgerald. Douyé sang in her church choir. She was writing her own songs and singing with determination at the age of five.

For this album, she has written two original songs, including the title tune, “Stay With Me” and another titled “Where to Be.”

On the title tune, she uses a different rhythm section featuring Mina Choi on piano, who also co-wrote this title tune. The trumpet solo by Kye Palmer swings hard. Douyé sounds believable and beautiful on the Duke Ellington classic, “In My Solitude.” This time she features Joe Magnarelli playing his sensual trumpet with expressive excellence.

You will hear a Baker’s dozen of mostly familiar tunes that are well produced and arranged by George Cables and Mina Choi. This album reminds me of piano bar days when you could sip your drink and hear guest vocalists sing all your favorite tunes.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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