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RON APREA
Male
New York
United States - Share
My Page
Profile Information
- What is your profession?
- Musician, songwriter, producer, educator
- 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.
Currently, Ron, when not performing, spends much of his time in his recording studio, doing seminars, teaches privately on woodwinds, composition, arranging, and improvisation.
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
RON APREA's Videos
About THE GLOBAL JAZZ NETWORK
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Member Quotes About TGJN
Hope we can all develop it together.
Cheers
Geoff Lapp
I found this website to be very informative, found a lot of folks I know, and a host of talented folks.
Keep up the good work.
Carrie Jackson
Tamm E
Sistah, I'm very proud of you! Your creativeness keeps growing and growing. God Bless you and continue to spread the word!
Friend to the end...
George V. Johnson, Jr
This is a wonderful, and important site, and my friends who have joined seem to agree. Thank you for what must be a ton of work on your end.
Warm regards,
Ron
Hi Tamm E!
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.
so much more. This is real. The people here truly love jazz and we know people like that are not your average people.
I said that it is sort of like a myspace for jazz but it is actually
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
Cephas Bowles. general manager www.wbgo.org
88.3 FM - Jazz 88
based in Newark N.J.
WBGO is a National Public Radio Station, publicy supported that plays jazz 24 hours a day 7 days a week and also presents news and special programs.
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KWANZAA CELEBRATION@UOTS
December 26, 2008 from 11am to 4pm – University of the Streets
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Thank you.Love.M
Just passing by to say hello my friend.
Great videos!
Kisses,
May
Much love and respect.M
Thanks for the friendship and have a great week!
Peace,
Luiz
You were in Nantes?My son Samuel lives there!with whom did you play?to be continued..Love.M
Man, what a great video! Thank you very much.
All the best,
Jesse
Thanks for the added me...you play beautifully.
Musically yours,
Best regards,
Shefqet
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