TWO VOCALISTS PAY TRIBUTE TO BETTY CARTER AT THE DETROIT JAZZ PRESERVATION CONCERT SERIES

Vocalist Betty Carter

 After the Detroit Jazz Preservation Concert Series for the late vibist Milt Jackson last month, the series’ founder, trombonist Vincent Chandler, announced the next concert would be a homage to Detroit vocalist Betty Carter. I wondered immediately after the announcement what vocalists Chandler had in mind to pull off the Carter tribute. There isn’t a shortage of terrific jazz vocalists around Detroit. I surmised selecting one was the most challenging aspect of creating a program of Carter’s music. Carter was a legendary jazz vocalist and mentor to generations of jazz stars. She developed her unique style during the formative leg of her career in bands led by Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie. For Sunday’s afternoon DJPCS tribute, Chandler chose vocalists Isis Damil and Monique Ella Rose. Both embody the talent and drive to have the impact Carter had. Chandler picked seven of Carter’s famous compositions and created the perfect working environment for Damil and Rose to have some fun. I appreciated Damil and Rose’s handling of Carter’s work. They never tried to copy Carter’s manner of singing, which was my primary complaint of a tribute to Carter two years back at the Carr Center. Damil and Rose’s singing was breathtaking, and they seemed at home with Carter’s music, especially Damil. She has an infectious stage presence. Midway through the opening number, “Ego,” she had the near-capacity audience at Schaver Music Recital Hall won over. She respectfully refashioned Carter’s “Tight,” Make Him Believe,” and “Naima Love Song.” Damil is from a generation that has diverse interests. Her voice is such that she could succeed in whatever genre of music she dedicates herself to. As a jazz writer with an affinity for jazz vocalists, I pray Damil will dedicate her voice to jazz exclusively. Indeed, the jazz world will be better off with such effervescent talent. Before Rose sang “Who What Why Where When,” she confessed that she wasn’t a jazz singer per se but a soul singer, and when she completed flexing on “Droppin’ Things” and “30 Years,” I was convinced she was a capable jazz vocalist who could navigate every facet of jazz. Rose has a voice that hugs you tightly like a cashmere sweater, and she knows how to expose the marrow of a song. Chandler assembled another stellar group: saxophonist Houston Patton, bassist Jonathon Muir-Cotton, drummer Brandon Williams, and pianist Jordan Anderson. Each played marvelously, particularly Muir-Cotton and Anderson. Muir Cotton's soloing was a highlight, and Anderson demonstrated he has a sensitive streak and understands the details of accompanying complete vocalists like Damil and Rose