Earl T Narrow Road CD

Ron Kaplan has put together a tight piano trio with Eddie Mendenhall on piano, Dan Robbins on bass and Steve Robertson on drums to perform some of the most revered songs from the exotic treasure chest of the "Great American Songbook". These songs need no introduction to the listener and provide a montage of wonderful arrangements, improvisation and dazzling musicianship.

Ron is a connoisseur of this music and has studied the history of its birth, rise and interpretation for four decades. This wealth of experience and immersion in the genre provides him with the tools he needs to deliver the warmth and dexterity he offers on the Jazz Ambassadors.

Like the opening It Don't Mean A Thing, a swinger from the outset with the rhythm section and vocalist employing a certain amount of artistic freedom with a walking bass predominant throughout. On this cut Ron has the warm and mature delivery of a later day Mel Torme.

After 10 years as an acoustic duo, Adam & Kris have added bass and drums, plus a few amps and effects, to beef up their sound. Drummer Matt Kramer, formerly with Peasant Syndrome and the Afterglow Stars, holds down the rhythm along with bassist Paul Summers Jr. The resulting sound is a diverse one that can just plain rock.

SweetJuice's self-titled debut album, recorded live back in May at Northwest Portland's The Green Room, is a commendable sampling of its sound. The songs range from simple roots rock tunes and tender ballads to reggae-tinged groovers and all-out angry rockers.