Contributed by delmonico, who writes:-
Pianist Ralph Sharon was in right at the start of British bebop back in 1947 and played with all the usual suspects in the London clubs. He recorded with his own group as early as 1949 and continued to do so up to 1953 when he emigrated to the USA. Other UK pianists were to follow him, Victor Feldman, Derek Smith, Ronnie Ball, Dill Jones, Eddie Thompson (although he did return). George Shearing had gone in 1949 and Marian McPartland in 1948.
These were his last recordings in December 1952 and March 1953 before he left the UK and it was an interesting early 'themed' lp with songs about Autumn and Spring as the title suggests.
The trio is augmented on the 1953 tracks by guitarist Bert Weedon - a rare jazz excursion for him although he did play on a Melody Makers All Stars date in 1955, which we shall see later.
Sharon played with all the greats later in the USA and had a very successful career (he still plays). He is probably best known later for his long association with singer Tony Bennett and was the accompanist of choice for many other singers.
Worth seeking out are the 5 trio cds (the music of Porter, Gershwin, Rodgers, Berlin and Kern) he made with Lenny Bush and Jack Parnell for the obscure UK label Horatio Nelson whilst he was visiting the UK in the early 1990s.
Ripped in FLAC from lp with front and back cover scans and additional recording detail.
(01-03)
Ralph Sharon - piano
Joe Muddel - bass
Tony Kinsey - drums
(04 08 12)
Ralph Sharon - piano
Jack Fallon - bass
Tony Kinsey - drums
(05-07 09-11)
Ralph Sharon - piano
Bert Weedon - guitar
Jack Fallon - bass
Tony Kinsey - drums
01 One Morning In May (Carmichael) (2:37)
02 It Might As Well Be Spring (Rodgers, Hammerstein) (2:18)
03 Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year (Loesser, Revel, Gordon) (2:18)
04 A Garden In The Rain (Gibbons, Dyrenforth) (2:38)
05 September In The Rain (Dubin, Warren) (1:58)
06 Falling Leaves (2:21)
07 Autumn Mist (Sharon) (3:14)
08 Spring Secret (Sharon) (3:27)
09 Early Autumn (Mercer, Burns, Herman) (3:08)
10 Indian Summer (Dubin, Herbert) (2:43)
11 Shine On Harvest Moon (Norworth, Bayes) (1:31)
12 March Winds And April Showers (Powell) (2:10)
Label: London LL 1339
Recorded: December 02 (01-03) 09 (04 08 12) 1952 March 05 1953 (05-07 09-11)
Lineage: LP>FLAC
Ralph Sharon....I'd honestly forgotten that this guy was British (Dill Jones being another out of mind!). Great to hear this early album, many thanks indeed.
ReplyDeleteThank you, delmonico and BritJazz for this rare Ralph Sharon LP.
ReplyDeleteralph sharon
ReplyDeletethank you delmonico & britjazz !
again a totally new musician to discover for me !
this place is a gold mine !
Thank you, a very elegant post.
ReplyDeletethank you !
ReplyDeleteA lovely pianist. This will be a treat.
ReplyDeleteHe did a session in 1956 with his wife Sue on vocals that featured a terrific line-up of JR Monterose, Eddie Costa and Joe Puma, amongst others.
From an Eddie Costa discography
ReplyDeleteRalph Sharon - Bethlehem BCP 13 - "Mr & Mrs Jazz"
J.R.Monterose, ts; Eddie Costa, vb; Ralph Sharon, p; Joe Puma, g; Milt Hinton, b; Jo Jones, d.
a. It don't mean a thing 4:08
b. A fine romance 3:02
c. I could have told you 4:19
d. Mynah lament 5:55
e. Just you, just me 5:03
f. That Goldblatt magic 4:45
add Sue Ryan (Mrs Ralph Sharon), vo.
g. A nightingale can sing the blues 5:33
h. Huguette waltz 2:09
i. A trout no doubt 3:10
j. With the wind and the rain in your hair 2:55
k. Nothing at all 4:43
Recorded November, 1956, N.Y.C.
Equivalent issues:
London(E) LTZ N 15102
Fresh Sound(Sp) FSR 2028
Fresh Sound(Sp) FSRCD 320 J.R.Monterose "Jaywalkin'" has a-b,d,f
Mnay thanks!!
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