Lady Be Good – 2013
Giacomo Gates
Gates’ version of Eddie Jefferson’s vocalese
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Giacomo Gates has long been one of jazz’s top vocalists, one who is inspired by Eddie Jefferson and the other vocalese singers of the 1950s.
He got a late start and did not record his first album until he was 44 but has since led at least eight records and has worked steadily on the East Coast during the past 30 years.
For this version of “Lady Be Good,” Gates is joined by pianist Toru Dodo, guitarist John Hart, and bassist Cameron Brown.
At first he trades off with Brown, imitating the bassist’s playing, and then he does his interpretation of Eddie Jefferson’s vocalese (based on a classic Charlie Parker solo) on “Lady Be Good.”
-Scott Yanow
