MARCUS BELGRAVE - Trumpet, Flugelhorn and Vocal
MICHELE RAMO - 8 String Guitar "Hei-D MOSTRO"

Generations ago, most of Italy’s regions spoke their own dialects. These dialects were much more varied than simple accents. A Sicilian would have a hard time speaking with someone from Bari who had problems talking to people from Calabria and everyone had a hard time speaking to people “from the north” where “real Italian” was spoken. But, everyone seemed to understand Neapolitan or Napulitan – the dialect of Naples (Napoli). The reason was simple; the greatest, most passionate and certainly the most popular songs emanated from Naples. From the time the legendary Enrico Caruso first recorded “O Sole Mio” in 1898 on Thomas Edison’s new recording machine, Naples has had a monopoly on the Italian melodies the world would embrace forever.

These titles interpreted by the incredible guitarist Michele Ramo are top heavy in Napulitan classics. These selections, some dating back to the 1920’s, were popularized here in America the second half of the 20th century by notable singers like Jimmy Roselli, Jerry Vale, Dean Martin, Al Martino, and Italy’s Sergio Franchi. Ramo has put his own stamp on these songs through his guitar. It is virtually impossible not to hum these world famous melodies after listening to Ramo’s instrumental interpretations.

Ramo easily succeeds in transcending the passion of the words to the melodic tones of his guitar. Through his arrangements, you hear the concerned mother scolding her adolescent son who tries to court an older woman in “Guaglione.” You feel the pain of a tossed aside lover in “Mala Femmena,” the bad woman who is as sweet as sugar with the face of an angel. That pain is only intensified in “Core 'Ngrato," the story of Catherine torturing her lover and never acknowledging his suffering or the fact that he devoted his life to her. On the lighter side, a child is provided with his mother's recipe for creating him in "Comme Facette Mammeta." The loving recipe is rather simple: the best meat, a hundred roses, milk and strawberries without any need for a magic potion. And, of course, Ramo captures one of the most melodic passions of all time with “Torna A Surriento.” Come back to beautiful Sorrento or I will die!

Ramo also takes us a musical journey north and south of Naples by acknowledging the beauty of Rome with the world famous “Arrivederci, Roma.” He then pays homage to his own Sicilian roots with an old folk song, "Quant' e Laia Me Zita," where he lends his vocal pipes to accompany his guitar, along with his own composition "Lacrimi Siciliani," Sicilian tears.
(Naples does not have a monopoly on tears.)

The selections are rich in tradition yet afforded a fresh interpretation with a new path to our hearts through Ramo’s guitar strings. He even adds the love theme from "The Godfather." Unless you have lived in a cave since 1972, you will know that one.

Whether this disc is played in the background or intensely studied, the atmosphere can only be enhanced by the talent, tradition and interpretation of Michele Ramo. Enjoy.

Liner Notes by: Ernie Nasprietto

This is a collection of 11 classics from the 20'S, 30's and 40's plus 3 selections form the Django Reinhardt/Stephane Grappelli Quintet du Hot Club.

CD Review - by: Jim Santella / AllAboutJazz.com

With a swinging program that recalls the spirit of Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt, this contemporary trio of veteran jazzmen delivers straight from the heart.

Up-tempo romps, such as “Have You Met Miss Jones” and “Oh Lady Be Good,” find the trio pulling out all the stops in a celebration of syncopation, swing, and sunshine. The program jumps lively, as the acoustic trio provides a cohesive affair steeped in tradition and mellowed with age.

Slower pieces, such as ‘Autumn Nocturne” and “Nuages,” allow the trio’s lyrical melodies to flow gently and settle in comfortably as each artist reaches back for inspiration. The music flows like a meandering country stream through a meadow of colorful wildflowers.

All three gentlemen display a deep respect for melody. Michele Ramo leads with a superb touch, garnering every ounce of flavor from each piece. His “Stardust” brings tears to the eyes. Bucky Pizzarelli steps forward with lucid solo spots that belie a sincere love for these classic songs, while Jerry Bruno provides a strong bottom foundation. His lovely bass solo on “Have You Met Miss Jones” dances around its familiar melody with a resonance that evokes heartfelt spirit.

Violinist Ramo applies a variety of techniques in his portrayal, flowing with seamless legato when desired, and jumping with a sprightly pizzicato when the mood calls for it. He interprets with the emotional strength of Gypsy soul, American Swing, and a universal song appeal. The ballad is putty in his hands.

“Oh Lady Be Good” represents a deep love for the essence that can only be found in beautiful songs. It takes two to tango. One side writes the songs, and one side interprets with love. The songs of Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Burton Lane, Johnny Mandel, Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli do a special dance when interpreted by Michele Ramo, Bucky Pizzarelli and Jerry Bruno.

Track Listing: Oh Lady Be Good; Autumn Nocturne; Crazy Rhythm; Everything I Have is Yours; Have You Met Miss Jones; They Can’t Take That Away From Me; Nuages; Stardust; Tears; Mélodie au Crépuscule; A Time for Love.

Personnel: Michele Ramo: violin; Bucky Pizzarelli: guitar; Jerry Bruno: bass.

Review by: Jim Santella - All About Jazz (April 2005)----------

Lyrical stuff happens when you find two veteran artists such as Mick and Mundy together as a guitar duo. They know intuitively what to say with their instruments.

The guitar has provided a similar framework for melodic excursion over many centuries. As Mick Ramo and Mundy Lowe blend their distinctive timbres together for a satisfying session of familiar standards, the melody is never far from their fingertips. Both artists prefer a kinder, gentler approach that entices. They both take great satisfaction in exploring familiar melodies and improvising on a theme.

“Satin Doll” swings passionately, “When Sunny Gets Blue” saunters gaily through casual surroundings, and “Moonglow” calls out with a sensuous cry. With each interpretation, Ramo and Lowe share the grace of a beautiful melody and explore its possibilities for embellishment.

“Manha de Carnaval” sizzles with passion. From the left and from the right, you can feel Lowe and Ramo giving it a convincing treatment. This timeless theme provides an opportunity for soulful outpouring. Lowe offers cool tones in a clear environment. His crystal clear articulation makes the song float gently around your shoulders.

“There's a Small Hotel” swings lightly, with a graceful air, as Ramo gives it a bubbly redress. His seamless phrases carry the tune fluidly with emphasis toward the lyrical nature of the piece. You'd think that the words were jumping up alongside the duo's performance, as their guitars express these ideas convincingly.

Vocalist Heidi Hepler, Ramos' wife, joins the duo for “Sicily,” a beautiful original that recalls the couple's impressions of this Mediterranean land. As with the duo's earlier themes, this one provides soothing melodies that float gently around the room.

Ramos uses an eight-string model that allows him to add depth to the program. Together, he and Lowe provide a loving caress to this program of familiar songs. Their timeless interpretation brings a smile to the face of audiences everywhere.




Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

Michéle Ramo’s 'Tribute to Guitar Masters' Vol. I

Fingerstyle compositions for jazz and classical guitarists by Michéle Ramo

“Michéle Ramo is a composer to be reckoned with!” Charlie Byrd.
This fresh, exciting new material will be a fantastic addition to your collection!
Original compositions and arrangements for fingerstyle guitar make up a terrific book of Classical, Brazilian, and Swing music by guitarist, violinist and composer Michéle Ramo. Each piece is dedicated to a special guitarist and reflects the spirit of the tribute with wonderful melodies and harmonies. This volume pays homage to Charlie Byrd, Luiz Bonfá, Jorge Morel, Bucky Pizzarelli and Howard Alden.
These full guitar arrangements along with the actual chords make it great for both classical and jazz players.

Book/CD Set presented in Standard Notation and Tablature

CD REVIEW by ED BENSON on JUST JAZZ GUITAR Issue #41 - November 2004.

Anyone who knows Michéle, immediatly senses his love for the guitar.This CD contains 12 cuts, four standards such as Manha De Carnaval, Stella by Starlight, Lush Life and eight originals. JJG has published two of his originals and more will be available soon from Mel Bay in a book/CD. Trying to recreate his sound, touch and feel will be difficult for most of us as he has developed his own style and set of complex fingerings. He has recorded these tunes on his 7 string Zimnicki guitar. Besides being proficient on 6 and 7 string, he has now ventured into an 8 string model built by luthier Rich Dicarlo which he debuted at the May NY guitar show.

He opens with a beautiful version of Luis Bonfa's Manha de Carnaval which showcases the range of his 7 string guitar. Bass players need not apply as he has the bass, single lines and chords all moving in sync. This is followed by the melodic A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That a catchy tune penned as a tribute to Bucky Pizzarelli. Stella is performed slowly and never straying far from the beautiful melody and harmony. Other tracks are dedications to Jack Wilkins, Howard Alden an Charlie Byrd.

If you haven't heard Michéle yet in a solo setting, then treat yourself.
This one is a winner. If you are in the New York, New Jersey area catch him in person along with his wife, superb vocalist Heidi Hepler Ramo.

Reviewed by Ed Benson
Just Jazz Guitar

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CD REVIEW
By JIM SANTELLA - ALL ABOUT JAZZ (April 15, 2005)


Born in the Italian Mediterranean fishing town of Mazara del Vallo on the west coast of Sicily, guitarist Mick Ramo learned to play music from his earliest childhood years. By age thirteen, he had entered the music conservatory, where he studied violin. Professional engagements with the Italian State Symphony Opera House followed. Then he met jazz. Today, he calls the US home and immerses himself in all kinds of jazz performance activities that employ both his violin and his guitars.

Ramo finds the artist alone with his six- and seven-string guitars, interpreting familiar songs and originals. Dedications to Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Jack Wilkins, Laurindo Almeida, Baden Powell, and Charlie Byrd flow gently and with heartfelt passion.

“Lush Life” demonstrates Ramo's love for passionate melody. He expresses the tune's lovely theme proudly and with clearly defined articulation. He's equally at home interpreting ballads, blues, early swing, and Brazilian themes. The guitarist's “Brazilian Dream” makes a stirring impression as its classical guitar texture blends with blues and jazz in an improvised spate of emotion. Ramos bends notes, scrapes, and chords with the technique of a vocal choir. In his hands, the guitar lights up like a symphony orchestra.

Reviews

Two other Michigan expatriates living in New York have also released recent recordings. The duo of singer Heidi Hepler and guitarist Michéle Ramo perform virtuoso wonders on Felicitá (Ramo 2002-1), an album of original compositions by Ramo set to lyrics by Hepler. It is hard to characterize this recital, which blends southern European and American motifs with jazz and cabaret spices, performed with amazing musicianship. Hepler has an immediately recognizable voice, for she sounds like no one else, and while she would undoubtedly list numerous influences, they have been absorbed and blended into a truly personal style. She has operatic chops and dead-on pitch, without which the blend that she achieves with Ramo would not be possible, and her lively romantic personality comes out in every song. This exuberance is matched perfectly by Michéle's amazing nylon string guitar playing, which takes the place of a full orchestra, providing unison or harmony lines, chords, and walking bass lines all at the same time. He has taken the styles of Baden Powell and Charlie Byrd to another level, and developed a technically dazzling, exciting style that is amazingly original, incorporating a broad range of guitar styles, invoking Gypsy caravans, Sicily, Andalusia, Brazil, Harlem and many points in between.

BY PIOTR MICHALOWSKI, Southeastern Michigan Jazz Association

"Let me just say that if this isn't the ultimate Sunday breakfast album, then I don't what is, I mean with songs like "Grapefruit and Piece of Toast" and "Watermelon Juice" you can start off your day pretty nicely as you just let the groove just guide ya on through. The mood continues on with the silky tones of "And the Moon Danced" and "Summer Sun" as the proficiency of Heidi and Michele just merge in an elegant way..." [more]

— reviewed by Stevie J. of RantRave.com

Heidi and Michéle's Debut Voice and Guitar duo of original songs recorded live in studio and concert.

Felicitá means 'happiness' in Italian.

Ballads, Bossa Nova, Swing, Spanish feel, Fun & Funky rhythms.

Full color 8 panel booklet tells the story of Heidi and Michele - their musical journey and meeting. It includes the lyrics and a short description of each song – when it was written and what inspired the creation – taking you along the musical journey with these eclectic artists. You will hear trumpet great Marcus Belgrave on 'Summer Sun' recorded live in concert.

Reviews

Michéle RAMOJazz Violinist/Composer Michéle Ramo is not only a virtuoso guitarist but also an equally accomplished violinist. Classically trained in his native Italy, where he played in symphony orchestras, he is now making his mark in New York as one of the great fiddlers in jazz. He demonstrates his talents as a soloist and composer on Full Moon Above New York City (Ramo 2002-2), accompanied on all but one track by Tommy James on piano, David Dunaway on bass, and Jimmy Madison on drums. Although the recital includes two Latin swingers, the focus here is on heart-on-your sleeve ballads. This could be dangerous but Ramo's sentimental lush violin walks the fine line between passion and bathos, and the swing is never far away. The proceedings are capped off with a romantic guitar number ("Terra e sole") recorded at the Montreux-Detroit Jazz Festival in 1994 in the company of bayan master Peter Soave, bassist Kurt Krahnke, pianist Ian Smith, drummer Miguel Gutierrez, and percussionist Jamie Rusling.

BY PIOTR MICHALOWSKI, Southeastern Michigan Jazz Association

JAZZ VIOLIN – Ramo's debut violin album recorded live in studio.

A collection of original compositions by Ramo in trio and quartet. Full color 6 panel booklet tells Ramo's history with the violin and a story about each composition.

With Tommy James – piano, David Dunaway – bass and Jimmy Madison – drums.

There is a special bonus track of Ramo on nylon string Spanish guitar with the 'Ramo Group' live at the 1994 Montreux Detroit Jazz Festival. Here is featured our great friend and 5 time world accordion champion Peter Soave on Bayan (concert accordion). Also with Ian Smith - piano, Jamie Rusling - percussion, Miguel Gutierrez - drums, and Kurt Krahnke - bass.

Passion, heart and spontaneity of live concerts are here in this eclectic collection of live performances of both concert and radio broadcast. After their first year together Heidi and Ramo produced this exciting CD of original compositions - solo guitar, voice & guitar duo, guitar & drums duo, quintet & septet.

CD's currently sold out. Available in cassette only. Mail heidi@ramomusic.com.

Reviews:

"You almost have to see them perform live to believe that the extraordinary and delightful sounds made by these two artists emanate from the human voice and from a guitar of simple wood and wire. Their music transports the audience to new realms of being and hearing, and the magic that these two work on a live audience is essential to their art."

Detroit Jazz Magazine - Mitch Genova editor

HEIDI'S unique color, beauty and vocal ability to move freely with her four octave range has been described as a cross between Ima Sumac, Cleo Laine & Sarah Brightman. RAMO moves on the guitar with natural ease from gentle beauty to rugged gypsy flamenco.

Special guests: Marcus Belgrave - Trumpet & Roy Brooks - Drums. Other musicians include: Peter Soave - bayan (concert accordion), Ian Smith - Piano/Keyboards, Kurt Krahnke - acoustic bass, Jamie Rusling - congas & percussion, Miguel Gutierrez - drums & timbales.