 Photo by Romney Photography Twin Cities’ vocalist/educator
Dorothy Doring hasn’t released a recording since 1999’s About
Time, and indeed, it was “about time” for another. What’s
fascinating about her new project is not only the diversity of
material—from Gershwin to Bacharach to Coltrane and Joe Greene—but
also the flexibility and stylistic range of Doring’s voice. An
amalgam of pop, R&B, and blues, all drawing from a deep well of
jazz experience, Southern Exposure (Quarter Note Records)
presents the many voices of this uniquely eclectic artist. David
Torkanowsky’s arrangements take full advantage of Doring’s
background in rock, country, Latin, R&B, and of course, jazz, and
joyfully infuse her vocals with the New Orleans’ vibe created by an
outstanding supporting cast. With a local band ably filling in the
rhythm section, and downtown Minneapolis taking the place of the
Delta, the release Southern Exposure will be celebrated on
November 29th at the Dakota.
Meet Dorothy Doring
Known in her
Minnesota hometown as “the little girl with the big voice,”
Dorothy was already singing on stage at age four and on local radio
at age 9. Formal voice training began when she was 12 and by 13 she
was singing rock ‘n roll with a local band. After high school,
Dorothy majored in vocal music at Moorhead State University,
performing in opera recitals as well as area venues as a folk/pop
singer and guitarist. Moving to the Twin Cities after completing her
BA degree, Dorothy began her career as a full-time musician, taking
time along the way to earn an MA in Education.
In
1999, Dorothy released her debut CD, About Time, which earned
a nomination for the Minnesota Music Awards “Jazz CD of the Year.”
A member of the Minnesota chapter of the Jazz Vocal Coalition, today
she balances performance and teaching, currently as a music educator
for the St. Paul Public Schools and on stage at music venues
throughout the Twin Cities.
Southern Exposure
 Photo by Andrea Canter You can’t pigeon-hole this music or
the voice. Dorothy can emote longing passion as on the opening and
closing tunes (“Beseme Mucho” and “Throw It Way,”
respectively); she can take Bacharach to R&B territory (“What
the World Needs Now”); add a voice to a jazz classic (“Giant
Steps”) as if was always meant to be sung; and take the blues to
the Delta (“Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Cryin’”). She can
sing it sweet, with grit, with zing, with smoke, with salt.
The recording’s supporting cast draws
on some of the finest talents in New Orleans. Derek Douget shines
throughout on tenor, from his dark, seductive soloing on “Beseme
Mucho” to a swinging romp on “I Love Paris” to his playful
interactions with Doring on “That Old Black Magic.” Tim Greene
also takes a turn on tenor, wailing magnificently on “Don’t Let
the Sun Catch You Cryin’”, full of bayou bravado. On guitar,
Steve Masakowski particularly brings the instrumental to the
foreground with a lightly fleeting solo on “I Love Paris” and
nice turns on “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” and “Throw
It Away.” The percussion section deserves special mention, with
Simon Lott (drums) opening the beat with a tribal groove on “Throw
It Away” and punctuating with crackling pops throughout; Michael
Skinkus (percussion) creates a unique sonic palette that underlies
several tracks, giving a Caribbean-meets-Detroit zing to “What the
World Needs Now.” But the instrumental hero here is
arranger/producer David Torkanowsky. In addition to a wide ranging
set of arrangements that showcase both Doring and the band, he
manages piano, Wurlitzer, Fender Rhodes, and B-3 keyboards.
The CD title is Southern Exposure,
and indeed, there is a tropical breeze blowing throughout the ten
tracks. But, above all, this is Doring Exposed, a gem of many facets,
polished to a fine sheen and catching a different color, a different
shading, at every turn. The six-year wait was well worth it. Dorothy
Doring’s Southern Exposure should bring ballyhoos from the
Bayou and, even with our Northern restraint, plenty of smiles and
applause from the other end of the Mississippi.
For the CD Release bash at the Dakota
(November 29th), Dorothy has assembled a stellar
cast—Tanner Taylor (piano), Gordy Johnson (bass), Mac Santiago
(drums), Dave Karr (sax), and Brian McLaughlin (guitar).
Southern Exposure is available
throughwww.cdbaby.com,
www.amazon.com,
www.efetus.com,
and www.lawmusicarchives.com,
as well as at the Dakota on November 29th. The
Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall,
www.dakotacooks.com.
Sets begin at 7 pm. Keep up with Dorothy Doring at
www.dorothydoring.com
|
Twin Cities, MN 
Wednesday, 07 January 2009
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