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RON APREA
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- New York
- United States
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Profile Information
- What is your profession?
- Musician, Producer, Composer
- What Instrument Do you Play?
- Saxophone, clarinet, flute
- Where Are you located?
- New York
- How did you find out about TGJN?
- Dr.Nelson Harrison
- About Me:
- Some biographical highlights:Ron Aprea, composer, arranger, producer, saxophonist, clarinetist, and flutist, has played lead alto with the bands of Les Elgart, Tito Puente, Frank Foster, Charlie Persip, and Lionel Hampton. Also played with Woody Herman, Buddy Morrow, Billy May and others.
While with Hamp's band, some highlights were a Ramsey Lewis television special, and a recorded concert at the Smithsonian Institute, where Ron's solos were taped and put into their Archives. Ron was the featured soloist and arranger for performances with Nat Adderley at the world-famous Apollo Theatre, and he also performed at the Paramount Theatre with King Curtis' Big Band. Ron has played shows for literally hundreds of stars, including Clint Holmes, Rita Moreno, Chita Rivera, Billy Eckstine, etc.
In 1974, Ron recorded with John Lennon and Elton John on the album entitled Walls and Bridges. The all-star horn section included Howard Johnson, Frank Vicari, and Steve Madaio. Ron was a featured soloist on the jazz-gospel album Free to Be Free. He also wrote, arranged, and produced his own album, Ronnie April's Positive Energy Volume 1. Ron had his own TV special on WNYC, and was a featured soloist on Broadway's Song of Singapore.
Ron's compositions, arrangements, and productions skills can be heard on Angela DeNiro's first CD, Just For the Fun Of It, as well as her second release, Angela DeNiro...Swingin' With Legends, featuring Lionel Hampton, Frank Foster, and Lew Tabackin.
Ron was featured with the Kenny Barron Trio at the 1998 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, and was part of the All-Star cast, which included Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Bill Watrous, Jon Faddis, Al Grey,Ray Brown, Marion McPartland, Abbey Lincoln, and Diana Krall.
Ron has three 1998 GRAMMY nomination entries: Producer of the Year,(Swingin' With Legends), and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying a Vocalist for Angela DeNiro's Avalon & The Song Is You. Ron completed an arranging assignment for vocalist Alex Donner, featuring nine of Ron's arrangements. Alex released the first of a 2-CD set in the spring of 2001. Ron co-hosted a weekly jazz radio show on WSHR, 91.9 FM, New York, with his wife, vocalist Angela DeNiro. Their show, Rush-Hour Rendezvous ran successfully for two years, and featured great jazz and musical conversation.
In January 2001, Ron's band, with Angela DeNiro, was featured on "BET-TV". The national program, called "Jazz Discovery", showcased jazz artists in competition, and was judged by a panel of three, which included jazz legend Chick Corea. Angela, with Ron's band, won the competition.
Ron and Angela DeNiro made a cameo appearance on legendary jazz vocalist Mark Murphy's CD entitled "Links," released in September of 2001 on the High Note Label. In August 2001, Ron performed in an All-Star band for a Charlie Parker Birthday tribute in Harlem, New York. The band featured four alto saxophonists. Playing alongside Ron were Jimmy Zaff, Gerald Hayes, and James Spaulding.The rhythm section featured Danny Mixon on piano, Bob Cunningham on bass, and Andre Strobaer on drums.
Ron wrote the arrangements for Angela DeNiro's third CD, My Shining Hour. One of Ron's compositions, For Phil, is dedicated to Phil Woods, who has been a major source of inspiration to Ron since the mid 60's. Ron's tribute to Phil, performed by Ms. DeNiro, exudes the warmth and love Ron has for the legendary alto saxophonist. This CD was released in August 2005.
In 2006 Ron, arranged, performed on, and produced an album for jazz vocalist Meegan Coleman entitled "I hear Music."
In 2007 Ron arranged, performed on, and produced an album for vocalist Damian entitled "Follow Your Dreams."
Ron and Angela headlined the Les Nuits du Jazz Festival in Nantes, France on Nov. 9 & 10, 2007. Ron's son Matt Aprea made his European debut on violin at same festival.
When not performing, Ron spends much of his time in his recording studio, doing seminars, teaches privately on woodwinds, composition, arranging, and improvisation.
Currently Ron is producing an album with vocalist Damian (his second) featuring trumpeter Brian Lynch, pianist Cecilia Coleman, and other jazz greats. The album will be released in the Spring of 2009. Ron scored the entire album and recorded it at his own Birdland Studios. Will keep you posted.
For video clips, please go to website. www.angeladeniro.com ...Contact Ron here or at: deniro@optonline.net
- Website:
- http://www.angeladeniro.com
RON APREA's Photos
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About
Member Quotes About TGJN
I was just saying that you knocked this out of the park with TGJN. We have needed something like this for so long and I am telling my friends about this. I said that it is sort of like a myspace for jazz but it is actually so much more. This is real. The people here truly love jazz and we know people like that are not your average people.
I have felt for a long time that straight-ahead jazz has been slipping away from us. I have hope now that there will be a resurgence (or shall I say an insurgency:-) to bring this baby back full force!
You just knocked it out of the park. Thanks again.
xoxo,
Janie
Events
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Mel Brown Quartet
March 25, 2009 at 8pm to March 27, 2013 at 11pm – Jimmy Mak's
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Saturday JAZZ Nights at Chelsea Wine Bar
November 14, 2009 at 8:30pm to November 15, 2009 at 12:30am – Chelsea Wine Bar
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Orjazz presenta - "La tragica notte del dott. Hives"
November 14, 2009 from 9pm to 11pm – Crevacuore
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Jazz & Art Extravaganza!
November 15, 2009 from 3pm to 8pm – Emmy Lu Gallery
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Lee Summer's "Just Piano Series" presents...
November 19, 2009 from 7pm to 8pm – Triad Theatre
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Workout
December 3, 2009 from 9pm to 11pm – Casale Monferrato
Birthdays
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Feinstein's was great....the band was great and George Schuller did play the gig....his ankle is all better now (he broke it 3 months ago).....really sweet guy and great player....take care!
Irene
HI……I WANTED TO INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE GROUP "BOOKS & VIDEOS"…...... THE MISSION OF THE GROUP IS; TO, “EXPLORE THE COMPLEXITY OF JAZZ & BLUES; MUSICALLY,HISTORICALLY,SOCIALLY & THEORETICALLY. BROADENING BETTER UNDERSTANDIG AND GREATER ENJOYMENT!!
Check out BOOKS & VIDEOS ABOUT JAZZ & BLUES on THE GLOBAL JAZZ NETWORK:
http://theglobaljazznetwork.ning.com/group/bookvideosaboutjazzblues?xgi=0rQihhb
jay
A group of musicians, singers, entertainers, managers, promoters, agents and people with a general interest in the field of music, song, entertainment and the establishment of an co-operative platform for anyone to join at a later stage including a full internet portal with information and PR to the benefit of all parties.
Sunny Greetings,
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www.kurtlindved.dk
Visit European Music and Song Concepts for Professionals
I finally managed to get some cuts posted up on this TGJN, hope you like what you hear. My daughter also has two of her's there will be more to come. Thanks for the contact...glad to be your friend too.
"Laura" sound soooo cool!
Thx. for request.
It's an honour to be added as your friend.
Stay in touch,
Manuela
Will be over for about 3 weeks from 27h November - 18th December MA,NJ,IL,FL mainly and Daytona Beach as part of a show called That's Amore I will send you a tour list soon. I received a DVD from Nante finally with some of my clips on, the sound is missing on the left channel, but never the less it took some time but I have a short copy, how about you? I miss you guys too and can't wait to catch up love to Matt & Angela.
Colin
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