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| Just Groovin' |
| Ronny Smith |
| első megjelenés éve: 2009 |
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| (2009)
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CD |
| 3.900 Ft
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| 1. | Here We Go Again
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| 2. | Smooth
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| 3. | Superstition
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| 4. | 95 Drive
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| 5. | Just Groovin
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| 6. | I'M Beside You
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| 7. | Groove 106
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| 8. | Forever Friends
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| 9. | Ticket To Rio
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| 10. | Blue Bossa
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Jazz
Ronny Smith is a man on a mission. Currently on tour in musical service to his country, Smith has been heating up the stage as a key member of the Army Band.
Born in Baltimore Maryland, Smith learned to play by ear as a youngster to the sounds of Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass and George Benson. As Smith grew as a guitarist and learned to read music, he tore up the stage for various jazz ensembles throughout his teen years. Once he graduated from high school, Smith auditioned for Uncle Sam and was quickly accepted as a guitarist in the Army Band.
As a member of the Army band, Smith toured Europe and began his studies at Elizabeth State University in North Carolina and eventually moved to the University of Phoenix, where he received a master's degree in organizational management.
Smith released his freshman CD, Long Time Comin in 2001. In 2002, Smith has released his debut CD, Laid Back. Got Groove was soon to follow in 2005. Recording CDs between the calls to serve his country has always been a challenge, but one Smith faces with great pride. "Serving my country has been the most rewarding and honorable experience that I have been associated with. As a musician, my duties include providing troop morale, community service and ceremonial support. There is no better way to support those who support you," said Smith.
"Just Groovin," the energetic new CD release by Ronny Smith, aptly sums up this self –proclaimed "smooth jazz" guitarist and songwriter. Although his love for rhythmic grooves is primarily what drives the compositions on his latest project one cannot help but hear fragments of Wes Montgomery and George Benson within the fluid melodies. In his search for the perfect groove Ronny began listening and inundating himself with a variety of smooth jazz recordings. According to Smith, "no matter what the harmony or melody of the song each one had its own distinctive and enjoyable groove." "Just Groovin" captures the spicy flavor of each composition while maintaining the individual sound carefully crafted from Ronny's imaginative spirit.
While growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, Ronny was exposed to music as a young child in church and school. Having a father that was both a music professor and a church organist along with being surrounded by a mother and sister that sang influenced his early years. By the age of twelve he was playing by ear to the sounds of Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, George Benson and even Roy Clark. Ronny demonstrated his youthful talents performing in R&B bands (basement style) and in jazz and "jam" bands, while in grade school and high school. He later played in the jazz band at the University of Maryland, at Morgan State University and also Elizabeth State University in North Carolina. During his college days he was exposed to the music of Pat Martino, who became one of his greatest influences, as he eagerly pursued his technical studies on the guitar. He even had the opportunity to be part of a band that played with the famed Motown singing group, the Marvelettes and also with drummer and Philadelphia jazz icon Bobby Durham.
On "Just Groovin,", besides Smith's skillful guitar work, the instrumentation includes: Alan Alexander (keyboards/piano), Jeff Knoettner (keyboards/piano), Karl McNeil (bass), Sam Bates (bass), Vernell Mincey (drums), Scott Martin (sax), Stan Martin (Trumpet), and Andy Martin (trombone). Ronny Smith revels in the exploration and growth of each musical project and "Just Groovin" is a substantial part of that journey.
Smooth jazz has not only been defamed, mocked, insulted, and ridiculed by jazz purists and bop snobs -- there are also plenty of fusion enthusiasts who have a very low opinion of all the vapid, soulless "elevator Muzak" that smooth jazz/NAC radio stations are known for playing. But even though many of the musicians, program directors, and A&R people associated with smooth jazz have had appallingly low standards, smooth jazz isn't all bad. Ronny Smith's Just Groovin', in fact, is one of those albums that could be called "smooth jazz with a brain." Although the guitarist's melodic blend of jazz, pop, and R&B emphasizes groove-oriented accessibility, this 2009 release isn't mindless fluff or mind-numbing schlock. Smith does a lot of improvising, and easy to absorb originals such as "Forever Friends," "Ticket to Miami," and "Here We Go Again" demonstrate that he is aiming for substance as well as commercial appeal. Equally noteworthy is Smith's enjoyable interpretation of Kenny Dorham's "Blue Bossa," which ends up sounding more Afro-Cuban than Brazilian and more salsa than bossa nova. Wes Montgomery (whose mid-'60s recordings with Creed Taylor were arguably the beginning of what came to be called smooth jazz) and George Benson are obvious inspirations on this 39-minute CD, and Smith has also claimed Pat Martino and Joe Pass as major influences. Just Groovin' isn't without its flaws and shortcomings; the album is somewhat over-produced at times, and Smith would have been better off without the unnecessary electronic programming that is added to some of the tracks. But all things considered, there is no question that Just Groovin' is among the more substantial smooth jazz releases of 2009. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide |
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