#ralph sharon

[sunset-supergirl]

Happy birthday Ralph Sharon

[martinhardee]

Tony Bennett Story

Tony Bennett is super famous. You know Tony Bennett even if you don't think you know any of his songs.  For instance, you know this song:

So, here is my Tony Bennett story. When we lived in Boulder, this friend said "Oh, if you like jazz, Tony Bennett's piano player sits in at this little restaurant at the mall."

And I am: "Right. Tony Bennett's piano player. In Boulder. At the mall. Right."

But we went anyway, and this piano player -- named Ralph Sharon -- is pretty good! Actually, really good. So I walked over and tried my usual "stump the poor piano player" routine where I ask for classics from the Great American Songbook. It brings pianists to bepuzzlement and tears. Could he play Autumn in New York? A Foggy Day (in London Town)? The Way You Look Tonight? Fly Me To The Moon? The Shadow of Your Smile? It Don't Mean a Thing? I've Got The World On A String? Over The Rainbow? Summertime? Body and Soul? I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You? The Very Thought of You? Smile? Manhattan?

Ralph: Yes. Which one would you like to hear first?

Me: O.O

Me: Did you really play with Tony Bennett?

Ralph: Of course. Just for 40 years or so though. Now I am retired.

Me: O.O  

Me: I guess you must know my favorite song about San Francisco.

Ralph: Of course. I always end with that. I found that song for Tony.

Me: ?? You found it?

Ralph: We were going to San Francisco one time, and Tony said "hey, could we find a song about California for the crowd there?" And I had a bunch of old songs tucked away in a shirt drawer that I pulled this one out and it happened to be about San Francisco, and a few days later I actually played it when we were traveling and Tony said "Yeah, they'll probably like that one."

Me: *skeptical* Wow. Somebody didn't write that for him? I means it's so much his song! We'll, I'll look forward to it.

And he played I Left My Heart in San Francisco as beautifully as I've ever heard it, and it was great.  

Then, a year later, we went to see Tony Bennett perform in Denver. He was amazing. And at one point after a song he stopped dead and looked at the audience and told that whole story about San Francisco and said "and the man who found that song for me is Ralph Sharon, who played with me for 40 years all over the world. And he plays right here in Denver -- you should go see him."

And just now, I am listening to the MTV Unplugged sessions with Tony Bennett and I notice he totally gives Ralph Sharon a flourishing introduction him during the recording of All of You:  

You can jump to the intro but you'll miss half of a great song.

My son and I are seeing Tony Bennett Sunday here in the Bay Area, and you can bet I will shed a tear or two during the best songs, and sing along to all of them (quietly). And I will think of Ralph, who is still playing in Denver.

P.S. There is a good interview with Ralph Sharon from Jazz Professional.

P.P.S. Last I checked, he now plays occasionally in Denver at Dazzle Restaurant.