Cecil Ramirez is a smooth jazz artist from Sacramento, California, USA. His piano playing style has been compared to Brian Culbertson, Brian Simpson, Jeff Lorber, and Gregg Karukas.
"Talk To The Hand" is a smooth blend of danceable rhythms, emotional ballads, and smooth R&B grooves. The CD reflects contemporary jazz, R&B, latin and Brazilian influences that features Cecil's playing, writing, and arranging skills. The album features four of Cecil's original songs including "Sunflowers", the romantic ballad that ranked #1 on Broadjam's Contemporary Jazz charts for 4 consecutive months. Also featured are all-new arrangements of the 1980's El DeBarge hit "Someone", the Roberta Flack classic "Feel Like Making Love", the sultry Spyro Gyra ballad "Autumn of Our Love", the slamming Everette Harp groove "Kisses Don't Lie", and the funky hit "Do You Really Love Me?" by Cecil's good friend and smooth jazz hero, Brian Culbertson.
"Talk To The Hand" has been on the playlists of internet radio stations, including smoothjazz.com, "Cafe Jazz" at jazzlynx.net in Canada, Sky.fm in the UK, Crooze FM in the Netherlands, Dream FM in the Philippines, smooth905.net in Australia, "Soundtraxx with Mark Stanley" and "Hot Clicks with Lady Jay" on Jazz Matrix Radio. Non-commercial radio stations across the United States are also playing "Talk To The Hand".
What People Are Saying
"I never tire of discovering exciting new Smooth Jazz talent, and Sacramento pianist Cecil Ramirez definitely falls into that category. His debut release TALK TO THE HAND is outstanding and can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best keyboard projects from players who’ve become household names in this genre… including Brian Culbertson, Brian Simpson, Jeff Lorber and Gregg Karukas. TALK TO THE HAND should easily catapult Mr. Ramirez into the company of these prolific and talented keyboardists. This is truly Smooth Jazz… lyrical, emotional, with danceable grooves and the influences of contemporary jazz, R&B and Latin America. The production is impeccable, solidifying the album’s overall quality. I also sense, along with the artfully assembled set list, the first-rate performances, and all the other essential characteristics of a hit album, an over-riding positive vibe from the man and his music that offers a glimpse into Cecil’s integrity and passion. I highly recommend TALK TO THE HAND. It’s definitely chartbound!"
- Scott O'Brien, Director of Webcasting Services, SmoothJazz.com
"It’s hard to believe that Smooth Jazz pianist Cecil Ramirez’s self-produced album, “Talk To The Hand”, is his first ever solo release. This maiden effort has all the polish of a major artist/major label release— brilliant musicianship, artfully assembled songs, beautiful recording and mix, and tasteful packaging—a first class production all the way. Ramirez, the pianist, has a fluid, floating, genre-defining style. He plays Smooth Jazz in the truest sense—relaxed and in the groove—yet with a level of sophistication that a jazz purist would admire. He shines on all of the album’s 11 tracks, but the standout is his original song, “Sutter Street.” With it’s infectious melody and stellar performances by Ramirez and guest guitarist, Bruce Kaldor, this one could easily find its way to the top of the Adult Contemporary charts. Smooth Jazz has found an exciting new voice in Cecil Ramirez."
- Jan Glazier, Director of Artist Relations, PianoDisc
"Keyboardist Cecil Ramirez is a smooth jazz pianist located in California, this (Talk To The Hand) is an outstanding CD full of memorable tracks and great playing, very much in the vein of Brian Culbertson, so you should definitely check him out!"
- Peter Boehi, Founder, smoothvibes.com
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