Podcast 955: A Conversation with Douyé

Straight No Chaser - A Jazz Show

As a fan of the Great American Songbook (and really, who isn't?) I'm always looking for new and different approaches to these storied songs. Enter the Nigerian born singer Douyé, whose latest release The Golden Sèkèrè, is a wonderful meld of polyrhythms, swing and soul.

Having grwon up listening to American torch singers as well as Afrobeat, it was inevitable that Douyé, would tackle tunes by Ray Noble, Cole Porter and Richard Rodgers. Her Nigerian-steeped support team features arrangers Bada Ken Okulolo, Tosin Aribisala and Zem Audu as well as guitarist Dokun Oke and percussionist Najite Agindotan. She also enlists an impressive guest list, including trumpeter Sean Jones, guitarist Lionel Loueke and especially bassist Buster Williams.

Podcast 955 features my conversation with Douyé, as we dig into her approach to some of the classics, including the big band backed version of "I've Got You Under My Skin" and the bass-driven take on "Devil May Care."