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Ron Kaplan

Biography Ron Kaplan's musical style is reminiscent of the great singers of the 1950’s continuing the tradition of performing songs from the Popular and Jazz Standards of the Great American Songbook. Critics note Kaplan’s phrasing, tone, diction, relaxed style, and his ability to get to the heart of a song with his own mark of musicianship, while featuring superb musicians in his live performances and on his recordings, enjoyed around world.

What the critics are saying… "Ron Kaplan is an original personality in the world of jazz vocalists and he has managed to put his name into that previously closed inner circle. He has breathed new life into it by the sheer force of his style, for as you know, “the style is the man himself”. The Velvet Crooner and the elegant power of his seemingly casual phrasing is in fact, ultra-tight and perfectly seductive." —Jean Szlamowicz, Jazz Hot

“This is one male vocalist destined to become one of the greats in the field. Ron Kaplan is the genuine article.” …D. David Dreis

“The heart and soul of a mature vocalist and leader…” …Jazz Improv Magazine

“Kaplan phrases with sophisticated ease at any tempo.” … JazzTimes Magazine

“What you have here is one of the most original singers to come along in quite some time from the jazz singing school of Mark Murphy and Tony Bennett polished off with some unique and handy swinging.” … In Tune International “Jazz singers come and go; few have staying power. Kaplan is one you can bet will be around for some time. First he’s a true jazz singer who knows his way around a tune, swinging in the irreverent manner that made singers like Mark Murphy, Jackie Paris and Mel Torme stars. Kaplan’s a musician first and foremost using his voice as an integral part of the jazz mode.” …Rapport

“Ron has superb command of a warm and flexible baritone that literally cocoons the listener within the cozy atmosphere of images it creates.” …Jazz Quad

“Kaplan can be linked to the vocalist of the past who merged the Jazz esthetic with the melodic popular element to produce music that appealed to both camps. His light-handed approach and easy singing style are qualities that make him a very likeable commodity.” …Cadence

In addition to his career as a concert performer and recording artist, Ron Kaplan also is the founder and executive director of American Songbook Preservation Society, a non-profit organization whose mission statement is: "To preserve our cultural treasure known as the Great American Songbook by performing this music at home and abroad as Ambassadors of Song." For more information, go to www.greatamericansongbook.org

Take Five with Ron Kaplan

by Ron Kaplan
September 24, 2014

Meet Ron Kaplan: Ron Kaplan's musical style is reminiscent of the great singers of the 1950's continuing the tradition of performing songs from the Popular and Jazz Standards of the Great American Songbook. Critics note Kaplan's phrasing, tone, relaxed style, and his ability to get to the heart of a song with his own mark of musicianship, while featuring superb musicians in his live performances and on his recordings, enjoyed around the world. His latest ...

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Album Review

Ron Kaplan: Lounging Around

Read "Lounging Around" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella
September 26, 2006

Recorded in 1999, this program features the velvety smooth baritone voice of Ron Kaplan singing timeless standards that have weathered changes in music and technology, and that we've all come to love. For Lounging Around he works with a small ensemble to emulate the unique Rat Pack ambience that has affected millions. How can we ever forget? Standards like “Just One of Those Things, “Caravan and “Blues in the Night recall the happy times when the lounges of Las Vegas ...

145

Album Review

Ron Kaplan: Saloon

Read "Saloon" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone

by Michael P. Gladstone
March 24, 2006

Ron Kaplan has recorded four previous albums with differently stuctured groups on his own Kapland label in the wish of preserving the music of the Great American Songbook. On his latest, subtitled “The Ron Kaplan-Weber Iago Album," he's accompanied only by pianist Weber Iago on nine songs.

Kaplan, a California native, studied with pianist Smith Dobson and plays several instruments. He ran a successful busines in a non-musical field but decided to return in the mid-'80s. The inspiration ...

262

Album Review

Ron Kaplan: Lounging Around

Read "Lounging Around" reviewed by Ed Kopp

by Ed Kopp
April 1, 2000

Ron Kaplan is a dulcet-toned singer from Monterey, California, whose second release Lounging Around is a mellow collection of 11 standards done up in a straight-ahead jazz style with guitar, bass, drums, one or two horns (depending on the cut), and B3 organ (on three tracks). It's the kind of dreamy, soothing album that establishes the right mood for an at-home dinner date.

A restrained tenor vocalist, Kaplan is more lounge crooner than jazz stylist -- the album title seems ...

Advocacy

Creating A Future For Our Past

Source: Ron Kaplan
July 15, 2012

CREATING A FUTURE FOR OUR PAST...New web presence bodes well for American music preservation Aptos, CA — Visitors to greatamericansongbook.org will notice a fresh look these days, full of facts about composers, lyricists and singers who contributed to this original, precious and uniquely American treasure trove of music. The American Songbook Preservation Society is debuting a fresh new website as part of their ongoing campaign to preserve our cultural treasure known as the Great American Songbook. The Great American Songbook ...
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Advocacy

American Songbook Preservation Society...Singing the Great American Songbook

Source: Ron Kaplan
November 16, 2011

The American Songbook Preservation Society is a performance organization whose purpose is to continue the legacy of the great American Songbook by performing these works in public to audiences in America and abroad. The organization features highly accomplished musicians and singers performing these works for public benefit and educational purposes. As singer Tony Bennett has said..."This is America's classical music." What is the Great American Songbook, also known as the “Popular Standards"? It is largely composed of songs written between ...
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Performance / Tour

Ron Kaplan Sings New York...Worldwide Streaming Event Sat. May 22 7:30PM PST

Source: Michael Ricci
May 19, 2010

Ron Kaplan Sings New York... live from Kuumbwa Jazz Center

'Singer Ron Kaplan preforms live at Kuumbwa Jazz Center Jan. 7, 2010 with a stellar cast of musicians...'

Click on Channel - Comcast 27/ Charter 73 Pacific Standard Time communitytv.org

Ron Kaplan Sings New York...

Worldwide premiere live streaming event at Pacific Standard time on the following dates and times: 5/22/2010 at 7:30 PM 5/27/2010 at 1:00 PM ...
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TV / Film

World Premiere Words and Music...Singing the Great American Songbook Documentary Film

Source: Michael Ricci
April 10, 2010

Dear friends, I wanted to let you know our film will be making it's world wide debut and can be viewed as a live streaming event on the following dates. If any of you have any contacts or leads and referrals with your local community tv stations please let me know. I want our film to be seen by as many folks as possible. Thank you once again for your support! All love and good wishes, Ron Kaplan Words and ...
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Music Industry

Ron Kaplan, Kapland Records and American Songbook Preservation Society

Source: Michael Ricci
December 19, 2009

Greetings one and all... Happy Holidays and New Year too! A few updates from Ron Kaplan, Kapland Records and American Songbook Preservation Society. I'm happy to report that I will be appearing at Kuumbwa Jazz Center on Thursday, January 7, 2010 and will be performing the repertoire from my recording entitled New York. I had the opportunity to perform this material in NYC this summer at Feinstein's. It was great fun. If you love NY, you will love ...
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Performance / Tour

Ron Kaplan Sings New York! July 10 and 11, 2009

Source: All About Jazz
July 5, 2009

Great American Songbook Preservationist and classic-jazz-standards singer Ron Kaplan is making a rare concert appearance in New York City on July 10 and 11 to present his New York Song Collection.

Kaplan will perform at FEINSTEIN'S at the Regency Hotel, located at 540 Park Avenue, NYC. Tickets can be purchased for the July 10 and 11, both set at 8:30 PM EDT. Tickets are $25-$40. You can also purchase on ticketweb.

Singer Ron Kaplan keeps the flame burning brightly to ...
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Performance / Tour

Ron Kaplan Sings New York at Feinstein's

Source: All About Jazz
July 1, 2009

Feinstein's at Loews Regency, the nightclub proclaimed “Best of New York” by New York Magazine, and “an invaluable New York institution” by The New York Post, continues its 10th Anniversary season with the debut of Ron Kaplan July 10 and 11.

The show will be a collection of tunes from his latest CD, New York which pays tribute to one of the worlds most colorful and distinctive cities, New York. The show, which will also feature Steinway Artist Pete Malinverni ...
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Performance / Tour

NYC: Ron Kaplan Sings New York! July 10 and 11, 2009

Source: All About Jazz
June 21, 2009

Great American Songbook Preservationist and classic-jazz-standards singer Ron Kaplan is making a rare concert appearance in New York City on July 10 and 11 to present his “New York Song Collection" (a select group of songs taken from his album entitled New York). Kaplan will perform at Feinstein's at the Regency Hotel, located at 540 Park Avenue, NYC. Singer Ron Kaplan keeps the flame burning brightly to illuminate jazz standards, the Great American Songbook and the classic sound of singers ...
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281

Performance / Tour

Ron Kaplan/Kapland Records & American Songbook Preservation Society: Singing the Great American Songbook

Source: All About Jazz
April 28, 2008

MOTHER'S DAY~ MAY 11th, 2008 SPECIAL CONCERT! 3pm-6pm Bring your mom! The American Songbook Preservation Society...singing the great American Songbook is coming to Los Angeles! greatamericansongbook.org Join 17 great Singers as they perform songs from one of the most prolific groups of composers that ever lived! Special Guest performers for the afternoon: Cathy Segal-Garcia, Ron Kaplan, Dini Clarke, Denise Donatelli, Dewey Erney,Cheryl Barnes, Jimmer Bolden, Ann Mack,Cat Conner, Bili Redd, Calabria Foti,Mark Winkler, Gina Eckstein, Kevyn Lettau, Jack ...
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Recording

Ron Kaplan Kapland Records New CD

Source: All About Jazz
October 3, 2007

Greetings one and all.

I wanted to let you know about my new CD release entitled New York. It is composed of 12 songs, all about New York, with some great arrangements and players featuring Larry Dunlap, Seward McCain, Akira Tana, Erik Jekabson & Noel Jewkes. You can listen to samples and even write a review at CD Baby.

I will also be performing with master Trumpeter Ted Curson at the New Yorker Hotel on Friday October 26th at 7:30 ...
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American Songbook Preservation Society...Singing the Great American Songbook By A. J. Julian Improvisational Promotions

Ronald S. Kaplan has spent most of his time as a singer pursuing his musical talent in the San Francisco area.

It has never been easy for an independent performer to get the World to take notice of their creative work and keep them motivated in this situation.

Mr. Kaplan has had to assume the difficulty of creating his own independent record company to document his work. Along with this, he has taken on many roles; as the performing artist, producer, marketing and promotion, and the booking agent.

American Songbook Preservation Society...Singing the Great American Songbook By A. J. Julian Improvisational Promotions

Ronald S. Kaplan has spent most of his time as a singer pursuing his musical talent in the San Francisco area.

It has never been easy for an independent performer to get the World to take notice of their creative work and keep them motivated in this situation.

In addition to this, he has created another undertaking for his engaging life and love for the Composers and Music of what has become known as "The Great American Songbook". This has led to his creation of "American Songbook Preservation Society".

The Mission is to Preserve our musical cultural treasure known as the Great American Songbook, by presenting this music to the public at home and abroad as Ambassadors of Song.

This recording, "Singing the Great American Songbook" is the production from a benefit concert given by Ron Kaplan at Kuumbwa jazz Center on January 25, 2007. Assisting him in this concert were stellar players Marshall Otwell-piano and Stan Poplin-bass.

The recording consists of a 14 track program selecting interesting choices of tunes for the album. The program of tunes consists of familiar but not overdone standards such as: two tunes from the Duke Ellington book, "Drop Me Off In Harlem" and "Solitude", Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer's "Out Of This World", Cole Porter's "I get A Kick Out Of You", and George & Ira Gershwin's "Love Is Here To Stay".

Ron Kaplan has a gentle, swinging, sense of phrasing and reads the lyrics like they were written.

This concert and album renews your faith in the strength of the great material performed by three Superlative Musicians. It is an outstanding contribution to the wonderful Great American Songbook, that over the years has become a mostly unprolific musical landscape.

For more information on Mr. Ron Kaplan and his other releases, contact him: American Songbook Preservation Society 9051-A Soquel Drive Aptos, California 95003 Phone: (831) 687-0278 fax: (831) 685-2609 Email: [email protected] Website: www.GreatAmerianSongbook.org Website: www.RonKaplan.com

"High Standards", presenting Ron Kaplan is a smart package, featuring superb musicians, and the heart and soul of a mature vocalist and leader..High Standards is just that, from the moment you look at the album jacket and put on the CD until you hear the final notes of "Lazy Afternoon." Jazz Improv Magazine

"Lounging Around"...Ron swings through a set of Standards with a deceptive ease that belies the depth and color that rewards repeat listening. A quietly remarkable album. Borders

"Dedicated"...From the opening bars to the closing reprise, "Dedicated" is a polished album by a sincere and genuinely compassionate vocalist and will immerse the listener into bittersweet bliss. EuroClubdeJazz

"Jazz Ambassadors"...Eloquent testimony which provides a continuum for great male vocal jazz. The whole package has a pristine feel and encapsulates these vintage songs with a quartet of superior musicians who have risen to the challenge to provide a trademark jazz set." Wes Gillespie

"Saloon" ...Kaplan covers a handful of the basic, hard-core classics and really puts his stamp on it. A winning adult and urbane set throughout" Midwest Record Recap

"New York" ...This album is crafted into a true and legit representative of the classic jazz genre. The twelve songs on this recording all are treasures of America's best art form. 5 Stars" eJazzNews

"Kaplan's vocal interpretations exude the sincerity, tight phrasing and feel for the swing that can only come from the heart of a genuine jazz singer." Singer Magazine

"a unique vocal stylist with seamless taste in musical choices and sidemen. A truly rare combination." ChazzJazz KRML

"Kaplan phrases with sophisticated ease at any tempo." JazzTimes, America's Jazz Magazine

"Ron Kaplan plays jazz and pop in a cool setting, knows what he's doing...and it pays off. With music like this, Kaplan could go far." Music Connection, the West Coast Music Trade Magazine

"This is one male vocalist destined to become one of the greats in the field! Ron Kaplan is the genuine article." David Dreis...Rapport Magazine

"Ron Kaplan is an original personality in the world of jazz vocalists and he has managed to put his name into that previously closed inner circle. He has breathed new life into it by the sheer force of his style, for as you know, “the style is the man himself”. The Velvet Crooner and the elegant power of his seemingly casual phrasing is in fact, ultra-tight and perfectly seductive." Jean Szlamowicz, Jazz Hot

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