Maurice: I’ve Never Been In Love Before

Maurice’s voice, new to the jazz scene, is lightly graceful and lazily pleasant. Meandering through 13 love songs, he conveys a whimsical approach with a lilting Bob Dorough meets Dave Frishberg sound. His timbre and expression is well suited to perform the happy-sad plot of a love affair, from “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” and “It Had to Be You” to “You’ve Changed” and “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes.”

The reason Maurice probably chose to use only his first name is that his surname generally brings to mind dancing. His full name is Maurice Hines; his brother is Gregory. Maurice’s varied solo career during the past three decades was as a dancer, actor, choreographer and director, as well as singing in many musicals, including Sophisticated Ladies, Jelly’s Last Jam and Guys and Dolls.

His dual-team colleagues include Frank Wess on tenor sax and flute, Joe Wilder on trumpet and flugelhorn, Joe Shepley on flugelhorn, Jimmy Mitchell and Ken Hatfield on guitar, Bob Cranshaw on bass (also co-producer with Stanley Kay) and Sherrie Maricle and Jimmy Young on drums. Turn down the lights and relax with this one.

Originally Published November 1, 2001