THE DIVA JAZZ ORCHESTRA

A CELEBRATION OF MAURICE HINES: TAPPIN’ THRU LIFE

Diva Jazz

“Tappin’ Thru Life” is an autobiographical stage musical that tells the life story of Maurice Hines (12/13/43 – 12/29/23) and his talented brother Gregory Hines (2/14/46 – 8/9/03).

I had the pleasure of witnessing and enjoying both these talented men over their amazing careers.  The Hines Brothers could sing, tap dance and act.  This album is the soundtrack to their stage show, one that was created by Maurice Hines and officially closed in New York City on February 21, 2016.  However, Maurice Hines continued to perform and tour with this show until the pandemic struck in March of 2020. That worldwide pandemic caused everything to be silenced.

This album opens with a medley of familiar big band standard tunes including “It Don’t Mean a Thing” with Leigh Pilzer featured on alto saxophone. It’s followed by “Every Day I Have the Blues, featuring Laura Dreyer on tenor sax.  They merge “Caravan” into the mix with Jennifer Krupa spotlighted on trombone, then “Luck Be A Lady Tonight” extends the medley followed by “Too marvelous for Words” with Jami Dauber shining brightly on trumpet. These are all tunes you will enjoy during this stage play soundtrack, featuring vocalists, because both Maurice and his brother Gregory were solid vocalists, as well as tap dance experts.

Their tap dance skills are celebrated during John Manzari’s presentation of “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” as he both sings and dances. Leo Manzari performs the Joe Williams hit record, “Every Day I have the Blues” and he tap dances as well.

Ann Hampton Callaway is featured singing “Get Me to the Church on Time,” “I Can’t Give you Anything but Love,” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon.” Clint Holmes sings a duet with her on “L.O.V.E” and he is featured vocally on seven other songs we know and love.

On a tune called “Ko-Ko,” the engineer captures the exciting tap shoes of the Manzari Brothers against wood.  The dancers were discovered by the legendary Maurice Hines in 2009. I’m sure they reminded him of his own artistic journey with his brother Gregory.  The Manzari Brothers star in this show.

In 2016, Maurice Hines won four Audelco Awards, including Musical Production of the Year, outstanding Performance in a Musical (Male), and Outstanding Choreography for both Maurice Hines and Outstanding Director/Musical Production was awarded to Jeff Calhoun.

Before that, in 2014, his musical won two “Ovation Awards” and it won Best Ensemble of a Musical and Best Music Direction for Sherrie Maricle, who is the Diva Jazz Orchestra Music Director and drummer.

This is a wonderful tribute to the life and legacy of two phenomenal performers, Gregory and Maurice Hines. There is no way to actually capture the excitement and spontaneity of a “Live” theatrical musical on a soundtrack, but this comes very close.

The DIVA JAZZ ORCHESTRA personnel are: Sherrie Maricle, Music Director/drummer; Jackie Warren, piano; Amy Shook, bass; Jennifer Krupa, trombone; Jami Dauber, trumpet; Liesl Whitaker, lead trumpet; Lauren Sevian, baritone saxophone; Laura Dreyer, tenor saxophone; Leigh Pilzer, lead alto saxophone. FEATURING: Clint Homes & Ann Hampton Callaway, lead vocals; John Manzari, tap dancer/vocals; Leo Manzari, tap dancer/vocalist.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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