Produced by Peter Jackson, and arranged by Adi Yeshaya (who did the arrangements on the debut recording), Why Try to Change Me Now? is a natural product of Dennis Spears' years of paying homage to Cole through his many club gigs and his recent participation in T. Mychael Rambo's highly regarded Heart of the Man, a song, dance and theatrical performance saluting the baritone legends of jazz. Those attending the Selby Avenue Jazz Festival in September also got a preview, when Spears charmed with "Unforgettable" and "Route 66." Noted Graydon Royce (Minneapolis Star Tribune), "Spears' dazzling eyes and suave style sell his Nat King Cole-mellow voice."

Around town, Dennis Spears is probably best known as the male voice of Moore By Four, the locally-based, internationally heeled quartet headed by pianist/arranger Sanford Moore, featuring the voices of Spears, Yolanda Bruce, Ginger Commodore and Connie Evingson. Since their first performances in 1986, Moore By Four has been a favorite locally and around the world, appearing in festivals throughout Europe, sell-out concerts in Japan, holiday shows in Italy, the Super Bowl, and their annual Christmas Show at Minnesota Orchestra Hall. Often compared to the Manhattan Transfer, Spears and his cohorts bring a broader background blending gospel, jazz, pop and theater to their arrangements. An original member of Moore by Four, Spears took a six-year hiatus to focus more on solo and theater performances. Of his return to the group a few years ago, vocal partner Connie Evingson noted, "It's very, very comfortable. He's very spirited. Dennis was born funny. He always brings a light energy into the room."

Anyone who has heard Dennis Spears perform, be it with Moore By Four, in his solo Nat King Cole show, as part of the Jazz at the G series, as a cast member of Smokey Joe's Café or Mixed Blood Theater's highly acclaimed Two Queens, One Castle, or this past summer in Heart of the Man, shares my eager anticipation of the long-overdue release of his new recording. He doesn't just sing the songs of Nat King Cole, he seemingly channels Cole. His CD Release Party at the Dakota (Friday and Saturday, October 8-9, 8 pm) will be one of the highlights of a jam-packed fall schedule of top national and local vocalists. Joining Dennis Spears will be some of the area's finest jazz artists—Chris Lomheim (piano), Kathy Jenson (horns), Tony Axtell (bass), Greg Schutte (drums) and Daryl Boudraux (percussion).

"Dennis Spears' voice isn't just an instrument, it's a continent: He sings of the rich earth of the south where the roots of the Blues and Jazz are deeply planted, of the lucid north where freedom of expression thrives. He deftly touches on the sharp sophistication of the east coast and the eclectic energy of the west, striking a common chord among us with every turn of phrase."    -M. Dodge (Criterion Jazz Review)

Dennis Spears performs October 8-9 at 8 pm at the Dakota, (612)332-1010 (www.dakotacooks.com). Moore By Four's annual holiday concert at Minnesota Orchestra Hall will be Saturday, December 4th, 8 pm. See www.minnesotaorchestra.org for ticket information.

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