Santa Cruz County Sentinel

October 17, 1997

ADRIENNE ROGERS DISC CONNECTIONS

Ron Kaplan, "High Standards," Kapland Records.

Like iced champagne, sequined gowns and tuxedos, the romantic jazz standards on this recording never go out of style.

Kaplan, a local jazz singer with a warm. accessible style, co-produced and co-arranged "High Standards." The disc features 11 straight ahead jazz selections ranging from romantic and melodic songs like "When I Fall in Love," "Dindi" and "Autumn Leaves," to pop-style treatments of "A Night in Tunisia," Summertime" and "My Favorite Things," Latinesque tidbits like "Song for My Father" and the bluesy "Born to Be Blue."

"About three years ago I remembered I had a dream to sing jazz. Now, I'm pursuing the dream," says Kaplan, the son of a jazz trumpet player.

Kaplan's high standards extend to his choice of musicians, as well. The disc features Smith Dobson on piano, Stan Poplin on bass, Steve Robertson on drums, Donny McCaslin Jr. and Paul Contos on sax.

"High Standards" offers a classic taste of romantic jazz standards, enlivened with fresh instrumental arrangements and vivacious musicianship by players with an obvious love for the genre.