COMPOSERS: Bob Dorough
LABELS: Arbors
WORKS: Sunday at Iridium
PERFORMER: Bob Dorough
CATALOGUE NO: ARCD 19305
Sunday jazz brunch in New York City usually means vocalists in a warm, relaxed setting, and that’s what you get with veteran singer/songwriter/pianist Bob Dorough, recorded live at Iridium. Countless American children were exposed to his voice every Saturday morning on the TV programme Schoolhouse Rock and fondly remember his gospel-tinged multiplication anthem ‘Three is a Magic Number’.
With this and other clever originals, along with a few favourite standards for good measure, Dorough likes to dive into his material with barely an intro, delivering lyrics and between-song banter in raspy tones that mirror his punchy, galvanic piano style.
Dorough’s suave and steady rhythm section anchors him (listen to drummer Ed Ornowski’s debonair brushwork), while trumpeter Joe Wilder and singer/pianist Daryl Sherman make elegant guest appearances. Too bad the disc doesn’t come with eggs Benedict and coffee refills!