Tony Bennett - Here's To The Ladies

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:35
Size: 153,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:41) 1. People
(3:50) 2. I'm In Love Again
(3:56) 3. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
(5:10) 4. My Love Went To London
(5:40) 5. Poor Butterfly
(3:27) 6. Sentimental Journey
(4:42) 7. Cloudy Morning
(3:45) 8. Tenderly
(2:09) 9. Down In The Depths
(2:52) 10. Moonlight In Vermont
(4:04) 11. Tangerine
(2:49) 12. God Bless The Child
(3:42) 13. Daybreak
(5:29) 14. You Showed Me The Way
(2:55) 15. Honeysuckle Rose
(3:24) 16. Maybe This Time
(1:58) 17. I Got Rhythm
(1:55) 18. My Ideal

For years, it was rumored that Frank Sinatra was going to record an album called Here's to the Ladies, but the Chairman of the Board never got around to actually making the record. However, Tony Bennett did and his record covers a wider range of artists and styles than Sinatra's scheduled record. Naturally, Bennett turns in a thoroughly entertaining, professional performance. It's a solid contribution to his impressively assured and diverse comeback. By Stephen Thomas Erlewine
https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/heres-to-the-ladies-mr0000372200

Personnel: Tony Bennett – vocals; Ralph Sharon – piano; Clayton Cameron – drums; Doug Richeson – double bass; Lew Soloff – trumpet solos; unidentified session orchestra and big band (except for tracks 8, 10, 12, 16, 17 & 18); Jorge Calandrelli – arranger, conductor of the orchestral charts (tracks 2, 4–7, 13–15); Bill Holman – arranger, conductor of the Big Band charts (tracks 1, 3, 9, 11)

R.I.P.

Born: August 3, 1926, Long Island City, New York, United States
Died: July 21, 2023, New York, New York, United States

Here's To The Ladies

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The Ralph Sharon Quartet - Plays The Frank Loesser Songbook

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:07
Size: 154,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:04) 1. More Of Loesser
(3:47) 2. Moments Like This
(4:29) 3. Baby, It's Cold Outside
(4:48) 4. Can't Get Out Of This Mood
(4:33) 5. I've Never BeenIn Love Before
(6:41) 6. Sand In My Shoes
(3:20) 7. The Lady's In Love With You
(5:12) 8. Small Fry
(4:01) 9. Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year
(3:46) 10. Guys And Dolls
(3:12) 11. Let's Get Lost
(4:06) 12. Two Sleepy People
(4:29) 13. I Hear Music
(4:29) 14. I Believe In You
(5:03) 15. On A Slow Boat To China

Ralph Simon Sharon was a jazz pianist and arranger. Sharon was born in London, England, to an English mother and Latvian-born father. He emigrated to the United States in early 1954, becoming a naturalized citizen five years later. By 1958, Ralph Sharon was recording with Tony Bennett, the start of a more than 50 year working relationship as Bennett's “man behind the music” on many Grammy Award-winning studio recordings, and touring with Bennett for many years. He found “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” for Bennett, a year after placing it in a bureau and forgetting about it. Sharon discovered the manuscript while packing for a tour that included San Francisco. While Bennett and Sharon liked the song, they were convinced it would only be a local hit. The tune became Bennett's signature song.

Sharon was a jazz pianist in his own right, recording a series of his own albums. But Sharon was best known as one of the finest accompanists who backed up popular singers, including Bennett, Robert Goulet, Chris Connor and many others. Retiring to Boulder, Colorado, from on-the-road work with Bennett when he reached 80, Ralph Sharon continued to perform in the Denver metropolitan area until shortly before his death. Tony Bennett and the Ralph Sharon Trio performed at various jazz venues, including Dazzle Restaurant & Lounge in Denver. He died from natural causes on March 31, 2015. https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/ralph-sharon

Plays The Frank Loesser Songbook

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Ralph Sharon - Portrait Of Harold

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:07
Size: 139,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:01)  1. My Shining Hour
(4:01)  2. Ill Wind
(2:02)  3. Let's Fall In Love
(3:53)  4. This Time The Dream's On Me
(2:32)  5. It's Only A Paper Moon
(5:05)  6. Portrait Of Harold
(2:42)  7. Come Rain Or Come Shine
(3:04)  8. It Was Written In The Stars
(3:13)  9. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
(4:07) 10. The Man That Got Away
(3:53) 11. I've Got The World On A String
(4:39) 12. Out Of This World
(3:56) 13. Sing My Heart
(3:42) 14. A Sleepin' Bee
(2:36) 15. Hit The Road To Dreamland
(3:03) 16. Right As The Rain
(3:30) 17. That Old Black Magic

Subtitled "The Harold Arlen Songbook," this 60-minute disc finds the Ralph Sharon Trio with Douglas Richeson on bass and Clayton Cameron on drums highlighting the work of the most jazz and blues oriented of the Broadway and Hollywood composers of the 1940s and '50s. Sharon is typically subtle and swinging, never losing the sense of Arlen's bluesy melodies, but elaborating on them with intricately played figures that never seem to show the effort they must take to achieve. ~ William Ruhlmann https://www.allmusic.com/album/portrait-of-harold-mw0000183247

Personnel: Piano – Ralph Sharon; Bass – Douglas Richeson; Drums – Clayton Cameron

Portrait Of Harold

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Chris Connor - Sings Ballads Of The Sad Cafe

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:46
Size: 87,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:37)  1. These Foolish Things
(3:14)  2. Bargain Day
(3:48)  3. The End Of A Love Affair
(3:30)  4. Glad To Be Unhappy
(5:00)  5. Ballad Of The Sad Cafe
(4:23)  6. Good Morning Heartache
(4:27)  7. Something I Dreamed Last Night
(4:51)  8. Lilac Wine
(4:52)  9. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)

Chris Connor uses several different musical settings for this album of torch songs, but the main distinction is between the arrangements that employ strings, such as "The End of a Love Affair," and those that use horns, such as "Bargain Day." The backgrounds color Connor's vocal interpretations, and she often interacts with the musicians, notably with flautist Eddy Jaspar in "These Foolish Things," a virtual duet. But her primary goal is to render the lyrics with a combination of precision and emotional distance. In this sense, the heart of the album is "Glad to Be Unhappy," which Connor begins by singing the rarely heard introductory verse, then gives musical coloration to by varying the notes at the end of each line. The listener is not meant to believe the emotions the lyrics describe, but rather to savor them along with the singer. Charles DeForest's "Ballad of the Sad Café," which takes nothing but its title from Carson McCullers' popular 1951 novella, is nevertheless literary in its descriptions of lonely people, and Connor, again through note alteration, gives it a reading that puts it at a further emotional remove. The trick, of course, is that the singer's posture puts her in an even darker position than that of the songwriters; at least they are still feeling something, while she seems to be so far from love that she is denying all feeling. And in that denial, her torch burns all the brighter. ~ William Rulhmann https://www.allmusic.com/album/sings-ballads-of-the-sad-cafe-mw0000478244  

Personnel:  Vocals – Chris Connor; Alto Saxophone – Marshall Royal, Phil Woods; Baritone Saxophone – Charlie Fowlkes; Bass – Don Payne, Eddie Jones; Cello [Violoncello] – Dave Soyer, Maurice Brown; Conductor, Arranged By – Ralph Sharon; Drums – Billy Exiner, Ed Shaughnessy, Sonny Payne; Flute – Bobby Jaspar; Guitar – Barry Galbraith, Freddie Green, Kenny Burrell; Piano – Stan Free ; Reeds [Saxes] – Bobby Jaspar, Jerry Sanfino, Morton Lewis, Stan Webb, Steve Perlow Tenor Saxophone – Frank Foster, Seldon Powell; Trombone – Al Grey, Eddie Bert, Frank Rehak, Dick Hixon, Wayne Andre,  Willie Dennis; Trumpet – Donald Byrd, Ernie Royal, Harry Edison, Joe Newman, Snooky Young; Viola – Dave Markowitz, Isadore Zir; Violin – Gene Orloff, George Ockner, Harry Katzman, Harry Melnikoff, Harry Urbont, Leo Kruczek, Mac Ceppos, Ray Free, Sam Rand, Sylvan Shulman, Tosha Samaroff;

Sings Ballads Of The Sad Cafe

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Ralph Sharon Trio - Ralph Sharon Trio (Remastered)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 39:33

Size: 90.6 MB

Styles: Piano jazz

Year: 2014

Art: Front

[5:58] 1. They Can't Take That Away From Me

[2:51] 2. Steeplechase

[4:17] 3. Angel Eyes Sunshine Of Your Love

[2:24] 4. Ziegfeld Girl

[3:12] 5. Bluz For Suz

[3:55] 6. Don't Be That Way

[3:13] 7. Give Me The Simple Life

[6:28] 8. I Didn't Know What Time It Was

[2:52] 9. I'm Glad There Is You

[4:20] 10. I'm Beginning To See The Light

Bass – Jay Cave; Drums – Christy Febbo; Piano – Ralph Sharon.

A great jazz pianist in his own right, recording a series of his own albums, Sharon was best known as one of the greatest pianists who backed up singers, including Bennett, Robert Goulet, Chris Connor and many others.

Retiring to Boulder, Colorado from on-the-road work with Bennett when he reached 80, Ralph Sharon continued to perform in the Denver metropolitan area until shortly before his death. He and the Ralph Sharon Trio performed at various jazz venues, including Dazzle Restaurant & Lounge in Denver, Colorado. He died March 31, 2015

Ralph Sharon Trio

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Sue & Ralph Sharon - Mr. & Mrs. Jazz

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:20
Size: 106,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:12)  1. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
(5:36)  2. A Nightingale Can Sing The Blues
(3:05)  3. A Fine Romance
(2:11)  4. Hugette Waltz
(4:23)  5. I Could Have Told You
(3:14)  6. A Trout No Doubt
(5:59)  7. Mynah Lament
(2:58)  8. With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair
(5:08)  9. Just You, Just Me
(4:46) 10. Nothing At All
(4:44) 11. That Goldblatt Magic

Ralph Sharon made his professional debut with Ted Heath in 1946, then moved on to Frank Weir's orchestra before leading his own sextet. He moved to the U.S. in 1953, where he initially worked as an accompanist to Chris Connor. In 1957, he became musical director and pianist for Tony Bennett. He acquired American citizenship in 1958. 

In 1965, he and Bennett split up, but they got back together in 1979 and played together in the following years. Sharon also led various groups and made many recordings as a leader. He died in March 2015 at his home in Boulder, Colorado at the age of 91. ~ William Ruhlmann  http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ralph-sharon-mn0000863940/biography

Personnel:  Sue Sharon - vocals (tr. 2,4,6,8,10);  J.R. Monterose - tenor saxophone;  Eddie Costa – vibraphone; Ralph Sharon – piano, vocals; Joe Puma – guitar; Milt Hinton – bass; Jo Jones - drums

Mr. & Mrs. Jazz

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The Ralph Sharon Trio - Do I Hear A Waltz?

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1965
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:45
Size: 76,2 MB
Art: Front

(1:54)  1. Do I Hear A Waltz?
(2:04)  2. Here We Are Again
(4:07)  3. Moon In My Window
(4:00)  4. A Perfectly Lovely Couple
(2:14)  5. Thinking
(2:42)  6. What Do We Do? We Fly!
(2:30)  7. Take The Moment
(2:43)  8. Stay
(3:05)  9. Someone Like You
(2:06) 10. Thank You So Much
(2:34) 11. No Understand
(2:41) 12. Finale: Take The Moment / A Perfectly Lovely Couple / Do I Hear A Waltz?

Ralph Sharon made his professional debut with Ted Heath in 1946, then moved on to Frank Weir's orchestra before leading his own sextet. He moved to the U.S. in 1953, where he initially worked as an accompanist to Chris Connor. In 1957, he became musical director and pianist for Tony Bennett. He acquired American citizenship in 1958. In 1965, he and Bennett split up, but they got back together in 1979 and played together in the following years. Sharon also led various groups and made many recordings as a leader.

He died in March 2015 at his home in Boulder, Colorado at the age of 91. ~ William Ruhlmann  http://www.allmusic.com/artist/ralph-sharon-mn0000863940/biography

Do I Hear A Waltz?

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Joni Janak, Ron Moewes, Ralph Sharon - Always: The Music Of Irving Berlin

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:35
Size: 151,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:10)  1. Always
(6:16)  2. How Deep Is The Ocean
(3:48)  3. The Best Thing For You Could Be Me
(1:23)  4. When I Lost You
(3:31)  5. They Say That Falling Love Is Wonderful
(7:28)  6. All of My Life/Be Careful, It's My Heart
(3:08)  7. Now It Can Be Told
(4:00)  8. I Love a Piano
(4:47)  9. A Pretty Girl
(4:22) 10. Say It Isn't So
(4:44) 11. I Got Lost In His Arms
(3:57) 12. A Berlin Medley
(3:18) 13. Whatll I Do
(5:28) 14. White Christmas
(4:10) 15. A Mr. Sharon Tune

Always, The Music of Irving Berlin is a CD of Berlin tunes featuring the lovely voice of Joni Janak, the drums and vocals of Ron Moewes, and the piano artistry of Ralph Sharon. Mr. Sharon was the piano accompanist for the legendary Tony Bennett for many years. The album also features other instrumentalists on jazz solos. The last song on the CD is an original by Ron Moewes, "A Mr.Sharon Tune" It was written for Ralph Sharon and tells the story of his musical career. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jjrmars

Featuring the lovely voice of Joni Janak, the drums and vocals of Ron Moewes, and the piano artistry of Ralph Sharon.

Always: The Music Of Irving Berlin

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Ralph Sharon Trio - The Magic Of Cole Porter

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:05
Size: 163,4 MB
Art: Front

(2:32)  1. You're The Top
(2:36)  2. All Through The Night
(4:03)  3. Medley: Easy To Love / Get Out Of Town / You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
(3:22)  4. I Concentrate On You
(2:54)  5. I've Got You Under My Skin
(3:19)  6. Down In The Depths On The 90th Floor
(3:14)  7. So In Love
(2:17)  8. Anything Goes
(2:18)  9. Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)
(1:41) 10. From This Moment On
(2:40) 11. What Is This Thing Called Love?
(2:31) 12. Do I Love You?
(3:17) 13. Night And Day
(3:37) 14. I Love Paris
(3:35) 15. Love For Sale
(2:44) 16. I Love You
(2:23) 17. All Of You
(3:00) 18. It's Alright With Me
(2:28) 19. I Get A Kick Out Of You
(2:55) 20. Why Should I Care?
(2:58) 21. Just One Of Those Things
(3:22) 22. At Long Last Love
(4:06) 23. Begin The Beguine
(2:06) 24. Sorta Porter

Ralph Sharon made his professional debut with Ted Heath in 1946, then moved on to Frank Weir's orchestra before leading his own sextet. He moved to the U.S. in 1953, where he initially worked as an accompanist to Chris Connor. In 1957, he became musical director and pianist for Tony Bennett. He acquired American citizenship in 1958. In 1965, he and Bennett split up, but they got back together in 1979 and have played together since. Sharon has also led various groups and made many recordings as a leader. Bio ~ https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ralph-sharon-trio/id31399556#fullText

Ralph Sharon Trio: Ralph Sharon (piano); Lennie Bush (bass); Jack Parnell (drums).

The Magic Of Cole Porter

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The Ralph Sharon Sextet - Around The World In Jazz

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 33:34
Size: 76.9 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1957/2010
Art: Front

[3:03] 1. Tipperary Fairy
[3:33] 2. Strictly Occidental
[3:13] 3. Ask An Alaskan
[2:58] 4. Blue In Peru
[3:05] 5. Prettily Italy
[3:05] 6. Piccadilly Panic
[2:54] 7. Sorta Spanish
[2:49] 8. Parisienne Eyeful
[2:54] 9. Stateside Static (Original)
[2:38] 10. Hassle In Havana
[3:16] 11. Gibraltar Rock

Ralph Sharon made his professional debut with Ted Heath in 1946, then moved on to Frank Weir's orchestra before leading his own sextet. He moved to the U.S. in 1953, where he initially worked as an accompanist to Chris Connor. In 1957, he became musical director and pianist for Tony Bennett. He acquired American citizenship in 1958. In 1965, he and Bennett split up, but they got back together in 1979 and have played together since. Sharon has also led various groups and made many recordings as a leader. ~William Ruhlmann

Pianist Ralph Sharon's Sextet features Lucky Thompson on tenor sax, Eddie Costa on vibes, Joe Puma on guitar, Oscar Pettiford on bass, and Osie Johnson on drums.

Recorded in NYC, 1957.

Around The World In Jazz

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