JAZZ REVIEW : Parris Brings Songs From Boston

Rebecca Parris, the Boston-based singer, is in town for a while. Heard during a one-night stand Thursday at Nucleus Nuance, she was set for two evenings at Alfonse’s, closing tonight and will open Tuesday for a five-day run at the Director’s Lounge of the Registry Hotel in Universal City.

A tall, imposing woman, Parris can claim several of the virtues to which many singers aspire: a personal, confident sound, flawless intonation and an often dominant jazz feeling.

Like many vocal artists she tends now and then to lag behind the beat. This can work well if it doesn’t get out of hand, but if during “The Man I Love” the trio is already into the “we’ll build a little home” passage while the singer hasn’t quite finished the “Tuesday will be our good news day” line, it can make for a disconcerting moment.

The less Parris leaned on her jazz proclivity, the more convincing was her impact. Such songs as “Never Let Me Go,” “My Romance,” “The Island” and Carroll Coates’ charming waltz “London by Night” were delivered in a full, warm and rich manner. On the other hand, “Autumn Leaves” at a ridiculously fast clip was strictly a throwaway.

Parris has a slightly too flip personality that detracts from the mood some of her songs try to establish. And her backup group lets her down. John Harrison, a pianist who came with her from Boston, lacked the light touch and swinging jazz beat that could have complemented her. Between this and an occasionally over-loud drummer she had problems; in fact, it was a pleasing contrast to hear her start one song with just Allen Jackson’s bass for accompaniment.

Despite these handicaps, Rebecca Parris deserves the attention of anyone looking for fresh and inventive vocal concepts.