Those of you who have known me since I was too young to vote will likely remember that I learned the basic crafts of jazz largely from a singing piano player called Eric Spiegel, who went to Jesus a few years back.
Eric was one of the most amazing and natural musicians I've encountered even to this day. His heroes were Mose Allison, Tom Waits, and Bob Dorough.
To my generation, Bob Dorough is known mostly for his pioneering work as the music director and chief songwriter for Schoolhouse Rock.
To jazz fans since the fifties, Doro is be-bop's answer to Johnny Mercer, Hoagy Carmichael, and Jack Teagarden. Dorough came from Arkansas and Texas. Despite his stone be-bop delivery, he's very much of the South and Carmichaelean Midwest. He communicates everything that ever had love for this world the same way Teagarden did.
He's the only singer ever to record in a band led by Miles Davis ("Blue Xmas").
To me, he's one of the most interesting figures to come of the be-bop age. During a period of extreme alienated low-key cool, Doro was always hyper-congenial and energized. He was as invigorated as Lord Buckley, and just as cool and friendly. He is one of jazz's most loving interpreters. He's also one of the great songwriters of the form -- "Devil May Care", "I've Got Just About Everything", "I'm Hip", "Nothing Like You", "Blue Xmas"... and "Three Is A Magic Number" all from his pen.
Into the 1980's, he had really only made three full albums as a singing pianist, but he's since recorded more regularly although not exactly prolifically. He has recorded as well with John Zorn, Richard Butler, Blossom Dearie, and many others in addition. He's one of those guys who can play or sing with anyone.
I recorded with him about four years ago, as a tribute to Eric. That old hippy wiped the floor with me, in a few cases on tunes he'd never played that I thought I owned. I forgot to mention: he's a ridiculous piano player, an improvising machine.
He's a national treasure. Along with Jack Sheldon, he is the strongest tie we have to a beautiful tradition of American song. Stop and check him out, right now.
You're welcome.
