Devin Bing: Metropolitan Room
Devin Bing
Metropolitan Room, NYC, October 15, 2014
Reviewed by Melody Breyer-Grell for Cabaret Scenes
A big talent in a slender package, Devin Bing has got what is known as “chops.” He showered us with a strong, rangy voice, employing both an educated jazz and blues vocabulary. Devin is fortunate enough to have the charisma to play large rooms and the potential finesse to play more intimate ones. At this point, he is a showman, with fingers as fast as Liberace as he tears up the piano with such clean agility and power, that it is a shock to the system. He is also a one-man band, occasionally doing a trumpet solo, but with his vocal chords.
Opening with an intense interpretation of “Angel Eyes,” this powerhouse was cooking throughout his whole show. Many of the arrangements were a fusion of jazz and blues, but they did not all incorporate well, and it would be an improvement if he separated some of them and was more singular in his approach. Bing could also benefit by throwing in some simple ballads; his “I’ve Got the World on a String” would be plenty effective if delivered as a light ditty.
It will be interesting to see the road he follows with so many choices at hand.
Category: Cabaret Reviews, New York City, New York City Cabaret Reviews
