I have a real treat for you today. Singer, Pianist, Composer and Bandleader, John Ambrosini has recently released an inspiring new CD, "Songs For You". I usually feature songs from the Great AmericanSongbook on my blog but the popular songs that Ambrosini has included in the playlist for his new CD are going to enter the Great American Songbook as they meet the test of time. John has a warm and wonderful earthy voice and style. John plays piano as he sings and that produces a great melodic vibe that quickly puts the listener at easy. This album is a tribute to some of the greatest songwriters of today who have inspired him. The composers included on this CD are like the "Who's, Who" of greatest composers of the last 30 years. Here is a list of these world class modern day Composers: Rickie Lee Jones, Colin Greenwood, Johny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Philip Selway, Thom Yorke, Greg Allman, Kim Payne, Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, James Taylor, Jackson Brown, Billy Joel, Stephen Sills, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. John Ambrosini is not just doing covers of these classic newer songs. His style and Arrangements are uniquely his. Ambrosini has added two of his own original compositions that fit perfectly with this classic composer playlist. John has a busy career in NYC performing, Arranging, and Composing Music. He is a brilliant musician and composer who will be at the top of his game for years to come. Ambrosini wanted to pay homage to famous popular songs that inspired him, and you will be inspired after you listen to his CD, "Songs For You".
The support cast of musicians who are featured on this CD are also terrific and make "Songs For You" one of the best new releases this year!
PLAYERS:
John Ambrosini- Piano, Keyboard, Arrangements, Lead Vocals
Arranger, Conductor and Alto Sax genius Ron Aprea and Vocalist Angela DeNiro have recently published their new album, "Swingin' With Legends 2" which includes the marvelous singing from Angela DeNiro, TheRon Aprea Big Band with special guest artists, Randy Brecker, Ken Peplowski and Lew Tabackin. The first "Swingin' With Legends" album was published in 1997 to outstanding critical praise! Now 26 years later, Ron and Angela have published their second "Swinging With Legends 2" album and its a spectacular example of what Big Band music with a vocalist is all about. This new CD swings and reminds us all of the golden years of Big Band Jazz so sadly missing from today's music scene. The truth is that this music is still wonderful but very expensive to produce. Thanks to Ron Aprea's and Angela DeNiro's relentless desire to keep Big Band music going, we can still enjoy this exceptional music today. Ron and his big band featuring vocalist Angela DeNiro are still performing and recently appeared at several Jazz venues in the New York area including a recent performace at Birdland.
Ron Aprea has an amazing musical resume that includes a long-time association with his friend, Alto Sax giant Phil Woods back in the 1970s. Ron and Phil remained close friends until Phil's death in 2015. Ron composed and arranged "For Phil" as a tribute to his friend. I have attached a "YouTube" so you can listen to Ron's tribute to Phil. It's a terrific arrangement with a vocal by Angela and some sweet Alto work by Todd Bashore.
I was first introduced to Ron and Angela by two California desert friends, Steve Madieo and Pat Rizzo. Steve and Pat both played along side Ron when they were all living in New York many years ago. Ron's and Steve's friendship started when they both recorded with John Lennon and continued throughout their lives.
Ron and Angela were married in 1985 and have been making beautiful music ever since. They both are dedicated to their music and have never let anything stop them from performing and recording sensational music. The songs they selected for this album are perfect for anyone who loves the big band sound. Ron Aprea's arrangements are refresing, new and inspiring as you will discover from Angela's major league vocals.
My personal thanks to both Ron Aprea and Angela DeNiro for continuing to make music for the rest of us to enjoy! If you are a fan of the big band sound and great music in general, please buy this album and support this talented pair of world class musicians.
I had a difficult time picking just two cuts from this CD. The first one is the classic "You'd Be So Easy Tolove" and I think Angela vocal just excell. For all vocalist, singing with a big band charging behind you is always a difficult task that few ever master. Angela's voice and phrasing on this CD become one with this blazing band, never too little and never too much. The second "YouTube" is the original Aprea tune, "For Phil", composed by Ron as a tribute to the late Phil Woods.
"The Riz "is back making wonderful music again at 360 North in Palm Springs. Pat had put his Sax and his voice away for more than a year, but he is playing and singing like he never left the stage! Pat is teaming up with ultra-talented Dennis Michaels who plays beautiful piano and also sings and joins Pat in duets covering some of the greatest songs from the "Great AmericanSongbook". The duo plays every Friday at 360 North and anyone that loves beautiful, live music should make it down to 360 North to see Pat and Dennis. The chance to hear two of the classic music stars of the Desert perform live, should not be missed by any fan of great Jazz sounds! It's like taking a live look back at the musical history of the Palm Springs music scene.
What a treat to hear Pat sing and play again and his sense of humor is still very much intact! PatRizzo remains a musical treasure to all music fans here in the Coachella Valley. Pat's musical resume could fill a book and his many years playing for Sinatra in LA and at Sinatra's Rancho Mirage Estate could fill several chapters with interesting stories. Pat Rizzo is the real musical deal! We get very few opportunities to listen to a music legend with such a strong successful career perform live right now; so go over to 360 North and enjoy the playing, singing and personality of Pat Rizzo soon!
Dennis Michaels has his own splendid musical resume. He has played for many of the major Vocalists of the last 50 years. He also worked for Keely Smith as her Musical Director and Arranger. He toured with her for over 25 years. He has a special talent for Arranging and a sensitive feel for lyric that make it a pleasure to listen to his singing and playing.
And there are always special guests who show up to see Pat at every performance from all of the country. Tonight, LA sensation Michael Dees who moved to Palm Springs a few years ago, sat in to sing a few songs. Michael is one of the best Vocalist, Arranger and Composer on the music scene today! Also, direct from "Birdland" in New York City, Bandleader, Arranger and super Sax player, Ron Aprea came in to see Pat who he knew from the time Pat lived in New York. Ron also was close to another Palm Springs great we just lost, Steve Madaio. Ron and Steve had a long musical past including recording with John Lennon. Ron's big band currently performs regularly at "Birdland". The next singer Angela DeNiro (Ron's wife) came up to sing one of the best retendions of "Someone To Watch Over Me" I have ever heard with Dennis Michaels on the Keys. All this musical talent at 360 North on a normal Friday night in Palm Springs with no cover. They just keep the music history of Palm Springs alive!
For your listening pleasure, I have attached a "YouTube" from Pat Rizzo's CD, "Gold For Silver" on which Pat shares the stage with the great Trumpeter, Conte Condoli.
I have also attached a "YouTube" of Pat singing "Nancy With The Smiling Face" from his CD "The Tokyo Blues" to give you a sample of Pat's smooth and relaxed singing style.
Ron Aprea, the world-class Sax player, Arranger and Producer has just released a terrific CD cover of some of the best songs written by John Lennon and the Beatles. The inspiration for this CD was born as a result of the musical experience Ron had when he recorded with John Lennon in 1974 on Lennon's award-winning Album, "Walls and Bridges". This CD also celebrates the reunion for Ron with Trumpeter and my long-time friend, Steve Madaio. Turns out that Steve was also on the recording session for "Walls and Bridges".
Part of the musical joy of this new CD from Ron Aprea is the wonderful arrangements he has penned for this Album. Ron's playing ability is well known throughout the music world, but I have always believed that his arranging skills put him up with the top arrangers writing today. When you listen to Beatle songs that you have probably heard hundreds of times and hear some of the new and imaginative arrangements from Ron, the songs take on a new, wonderful feel.
Ron Aprea can and has played everything from BeBop to Ballads but when you add his arranging talent to the mix, he truly stands out as one of the most talented musicians performing today.
The CD starts with an unusual arrangement of "Let It Be" that Ron opens with a soulful playing of the melody and then moves into an upbeat full band treatment of the rest of the melody. Next up is "Imagine" with Steve Madaio sharing the lead with Ron. I have been privileged to hear Steve play this classic many times in person but adding Ron's mellow Sax work with Steve's lush Trumpet sounds, produces a brilliant result.
I enjoyed every cut of this Album but would like to spotlight a few of my favorites in addition to "Imagine". Ron has written a wonderful arrangement for "Can't Buy Me Love" that is not high on my list of Favorite Beatles songs but Ron's arrangement of this song is marvelous. The swinging arrangement calls out "Count Basie" and any Basie fan would love it. Ron's technical and sweet-sounding performance on "Yesterday" just knocked me out. It reminded me of one of my favorite Albums recorded over 50 years ago, "Cannonball Adderley and Strings".
Ron has gathered a wonderful group of musicians together for this session including special performances by Brian Lynch- Trumpet , Matt Aprea-Violin and Viola, Steve Madaio-Trumpet, Dom Minasi-Guitar and singer Angela DeNiro.
PLAYLIST:
1. "Let It Be" 2. "Imagine"
3. "Norwegian Wood" 4. "Yesterday"
5. "Happy Xmas" 6. "Can't Buy Me Love"
7. "Here There And Everywhere 8. "Blackbird"
9. "Something" 10. "Fool On The Hill"
11. "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night" 12. "Goodnight"
I have attached some clips from the CD listed on Ron's site for your enjoyment.
Steve Madaio, Ron Aprea and John Lennon (Ron Aprea's photo from 1974)
Ron Aprea, composer, arranger, producer, saxophonist, clarinetist and flutist is working on a new CD, "Lennon and the Beatles, A Jazz Tribute". In 1974, Ron cut a album with John Lennon and Elton John called "Walls and Bridges". Also recording with Ron on this album was a super-talented horn section that included Howard Johnson, Frank Vicari and Palm Desert favorite, Steve Madaio.
Ron is raising money to produce this new Lennon Tribute album using the Kickstarter site. I know everyone will be interested to hear Ron tell some interesting stories about the making of this album and his experiences with John Lennon in recording the "Walls and Bridges" album. It's sure to be a blockbuster CD and Ron needs some help to raise the money for it. I have attached some information I just received from Ron including the site address so you can hear Ron's stories and also contribute to support this wonderful musical project.
Dear Friends and Relatives,
Just wanted to update you on my John Lennon jazz tribute album "Kickstarter" campaign, and thank those who've contributed. I can't tell you how thrilled Angela and I are at the positive response we've received.
We are currently in Week 3 (of 6) and we are approaching 50% of our goal of $5,000, which is amazing, but we have to get to 100% to receive any of the pledges. So please for this next push, forward the below link to any and all of your friends. Also, I would love to give recognition to our donors via my Facebook and Kickstarter page, but I've been hesitant to do so, without your permission. So for those who have already donated (or will) please let me know if you have any objection to your name being posted.
This is the third in a series of blogs about the top 10 favorite songs of some of the best musicians performing today. Steve Madaio is a music legion. Steve along with David Sandborn performed on stage at Woodstock with the Butterfield Blues Band. He has toured and recorded with the legendary Janis Joplin, and enjoyed two world tours with The Rolling Stones. Steve has also toured and recorded with Stevie Wonder, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Madonna and Barbra Streisand to name just a few!
Steve loves the "Great American Songbook" especially the ballads. Often when performing, he mentions when a particular song is on his personal top 10 list. His fans, and I'm one of them, can now see his list----in no particular order.
Steve Madaio's Top 10 Favorite Songs 1. "Tenderly" 2. "I Can't Get Started" 3. "Smile" 4. "Shadow of Your Smile" 5. "When I Fall In Love"
6. "The Nearness of You" 7. "Body and Soul" 8. "Over The Rainbow" 9. "Imagine" 10. "Alfie"
