Monterey County Post

Johnny Adams "And All That Jazz©" 5/25-00

CD PICK OF THE WEEK

LOUNGING AROUND - Ron Kaplan

I have always maintained that the Monterey Bay Area has been blessed with talent. I would like to add to the list Ron Kaplan, in Aptos. Everything about this release is thoroughly professional, and Kaplan's fans should be pleased with all of the selections. If I were you, I would go out of my way to hear this vocalist at a club or concert. Kaplan is one who is not afraid to tackle great standards such as Here's That Rainy Day, I Surrender Dear, Just One of Those Things, and eight others. Moreover, his accompaniment is ideal. It consists of guitar, drums, bass, tenor saxophone, flugelhorn, and the hammond organ. So it is rather obvious that Kaplan has a lot going for him in front, as they say. His range, both as a performer and in his choice of material, is given a good display in this set. Aside from the flexibility of his voice and the insight with which he uses it, Kaplan's performances are driven along by the potency of the musicians behind. This is another attempt to keep real music alive and Kaplan has done just that. The release is on Kapland Records, P.O. Box 742, Aptos, CA 95001.