One of Ron Kaplan's Best Recordings !
author: Dr. Mark A. Goral
Ron Kaplan's recording, Jazz Ambassadors, is one of his best to date. There cannot be enough said about the utter brilliance of Eddie Mendenhall as pianist. He is comparable to the Count and Duke. Ron's voice excels from the fine accompanists on this work. Everyone playing on this project fits nicely with each other and the work shows. Words speak for themselves, people, and listening to this work is a prime example.
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Here's jazz that is 100% pure, hot and strong
author: Robert Linquist
If you favor a tall, rich cup full of enjoyment ground from the best of the Great American Songbook, jazz that is 100% pure, hot and strong. With Eddie Mendenhall (piano), Steve Robertson (drums) and Dan Robbins (bass), Ron Kaplan delivers nine solid vocal performances with all the smoke and sincerity of the great jazz performers of the '50's. Kicking things off with the Ellington/Mills classic "It Don't Mean a Thing," Ron demonstrates his ability to swing with a taste of growling grittiness. The fourth cut, "Stolen Moments/The Blues And The Abstract Truth", is an original (with music by Oliver Nelson) in which Kaplan creates a dynamite groove with plenty of room for his own vocal scatting and the player's solos. Other favorites include his oh-so-smooth work on "September Song" and "Green Dolphin Street," a personal favorite that, until recently, had sort of slipped off the mainstream jazz singer's repertoire.
If you are a Thelonious Monk fan, you'll no doubt be hitting the repeat button after "Round Midnight." Track to track, Kaplan's vocal interpretations exude the sincerity, tight phrasing and feel for the swing that can only come from the heart of a genuine jazz singer.
-RAL
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"Consistency" should be Ron's middle name
author: Dan Singer In Tune International Singer's Singers
Ron continues to favour us with 11 more important and impressive jazz styled standards performed to a magnificent turn. Ellington's famous quartet: "It Don't Mean A Thing" (Mills),"I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues" (George/Fotine), "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" (Russell), and "I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart" (Mills/Nemo/Redmond) become putty in his vocal hands. Ron's blues style is all class "A".
There's a superb bossa nova arrangement of "Body And Soul" (Heyman/Eyton/Sour/Green). It is so tasty and clearly chock full of delights. "Green Dolphin Street" (Kaper/Washington) offers the listener some remarkable on key romantic rich vocal artistry. It's casual yet delicate in its interpretation.
"Consistency" should be Ron's middle name.
Dan Singer
Singer's Singers
In Tune International
November 2004
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His renditions are worth hearing again, and again, and again.
author: Oscar Groomes
O's Notes: Ron is a jazz balladeer who may not have crossed your radar screen yet. If he had, you'd surely remember him. He's got a cool voice and style that will warm your spirits. He sings standards in front of a tight rhythm section, songs like "Body and Soul", "Stolen Moments" and "Round Midnight". You have heard the lyrics before, but his renditions are worth hearing again, and again, and again.
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