Augie Haas | Dream a Little Dream

Augie Haas is best known as a well-respected trumpeter, educator and composer. His most recent recording, Dream A Little Dream, is a change of pace. It balances jazz and doo-wop standards, featuring eight vocal tracks and three instrumentals. Haas displays an impressive range on trumpet as well as an effective voice that does justice to the lyrics that he interprets. Joined by a 15-piece string section directed and arranged by Andrew Neesley, and a rhythm section that includes pianist Carmen Staaf, Augie Haas clearly had fun performing some of his favorite songs.

Among the set’s highlights are “Dream A Little Dream,” the swing era standard “Goody Goody,” a rich version of “Georgia On My Mind,” “I Only Have Eyes For You,” and a sweetly sung “Earth Angel.” Also included is a mellow instrumental version of “Blackbird” (which has some prominent piano from Staaf), a soulful “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” “Stand By Me,” “Ooh Child,” “Stay,” and a surprising version of “Love Me Tender” that becomes a medium-tempo romp.