Dave Miller Trio Just Imagine

Dave Miller Trio
Just Imagine
Summit Records

Recently I reviewed an album on which pianist Dave Miller was backing his daughter vocalist Rebecca Dumaine. This recording is by Miller and his trio with bassist Chuck Bennett and drummer Bill Belasco on drums. Belasco has regularly been playing with Miller for four decades while Bennett has only been with Miller with two years, but one who Miller loves for his "harmonic awareness and melodic sensitivity." George Shearing greatly influenced Miller, and this album is a celebration of the centennial of Shearing, who was born on August 13, 1919. Rather than recreating Shearing's hits, Miller and his trio perform both standards and superior obscurities that Shearing had played along the way. Along with well-known songs like "You Took Advantage of Me," "Confirmation," and "A Foggy Day," Miller plays lesser-known songs from Billy Taylor and Ray Bryant.

The recording opens with the swing Billy Taylor's "One For the Woofer," with Miller displaying his relaxed, fluid, and sophisticated touch while exchanging fours with Belasco. Then there is the lyrical rendition of "You Took Advantage of Me," as he spins his solo with Bennett keeping the pulse and Belasco lightly adding his accents. Rusty Bryant's, "The Bebop Irishman" is a song that has only been recorded three times, twice by Shearing. Last recorded in 1963, Miller's rendition is an exuberant development of a traditional Irish motif. Then there is the delicate beauty of the performance of "I'd Love To Make Love To You," that Nat King Cole first recorded in 1946. Cole recorded "A Beautiful Friendship" with George Shearing. Miller's recording also displays a graceful, elegant quality with Bennett soloing on this.

There is a lively performance of Sam Jones' blues, "Bittersweet," and a spirited rendering of Charlie Parker's "Confirmation," as Miller is vibrant here. "You Must Believe In Spring" is an exquisite duet by Miller and Bennett opening with some lovely solo piano, while Jim Hall's "Careful" is a vivacious duet by Miller with Belasco on the Cajon. The solo performances of "A Foggy Day" and "Just Imagine" are delightful and exquisitely performed. Delightful and exquisitely performed is also an apt description of the music on "Just Imagine." The Dave Miller Trio has produced a marvelous recording.

I received a promo copy from a publicist. Here is a performance from the Dave Miller Trio.

Rebecca DuMaine and the Dave Miller Combo Chez Nous

Rebecca DuMaine and the Dave Miller Combo
Chez Nous
Summit Records

Starting with Cy Coleman's "When in Rome" and concluding with Charles Trenet (and Albert Askew Beach's English language verses) "Que-Reste-t-il/I Wish You Love," Rebecca DuMaine delights listeners with her playful, perhaps flirty, singing. He pitch and intonation are spot on, and her swinging phasing, as well as her articulation of the lyrics, underscore her inviting musical personality. It also helps that her captivating vocals (including her breezy wordless vocalizing as on Jobim's "So Danco Samba") is wonderfully supported by the Dave Miller Combo with Miller (her father on piano), Chuck Bennett on bass, Bill Belasco on drums and guest Brad Buethe on guitar.

Music was always part of her household growing up, and she heard George Shearing, Peggy Lee, Nancy Wilson, and Nat King Cole growing up. While she earned a drama degree and worked as an actress in New York and discovered she preferred jazz singing over musical theater doing some gigs in NY before returning to Northern California. Dave Miller, her dad, has been leading a trio since the 1970s and particularly loved how Shearing back vocalists. They provide marvelous swinging support with pianist Miller and Buethe very adept in their solos.

This a marvelous set of songs here ranging from her bubbly opening number, "When in Rome," that she first heard from Blossom Dearie. As Scott Yanow observes in the liner notes, Rodgers and Hart's "Everything I've Got Belongs to You," is not a typical love song as she sings "I have eyes for you to give you dirty looks, I have words that do not come from children's book, there's a twist of a knife I am learning to … but everything I got belongs to you." It is taken at a brisk tempo, and drummer Belasco takes a solo. The title track is sung in French followed by a captivating vocal on the Rodgers and Hart classic "I Didn't Know What Time it Was," showcasing her impeccable delivery of the lyrics as well as being in tune. Her father has a light, bouncy solo, Buethe following with a peppy one and Bennett with a short bass solo. There is also a wistful rendition of Lennon and McCartney's "Yesterday," with just her father's piano adding to the reflective mood. Bill Withers' "Just the Two of Us," is among his most famous songs, and she lends it a nostalgic flair with memorable piano and guitar solos.

Singing in French and English "Que Reste-t-il/ I Wish You Love," she provides a memorable close to a playful take on songs mostly about love. She has an endearing quality that is displayed throughout this collection of delightful performances of both well-known standards and lesser-known songs that are also gems.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is a video of Rebecca DuMaine performing with Dave Miller.