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.

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.