Ronald Muldrow
Mapenzi
© 2003 Ronald Muldrow (634479459825)
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Straight ahead jazz with tasteful featuring of vibes, guitar, piano, upright bass and the light, shuffley pick-me-up of the drums.
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"Just as the previous generations of musicians built their styles upon the foundation of their predecessors, so has Ronald built his style upon his mentors. And now, Ronald stands ready to make his own statement and people are listening. "He (Ronald) is in the midst of creating one of the decade's most satisfying collections of guitar-led mainstream jazz."
Neil Tesser JazzTimes Magazine
"Ronald's an interesting player. Nearly every song has him stretching out, creating his own voice, and not being tied down by the ghosts of the players who came before him; players he obviously loves
John Heidt Vintage Guitar Magazine
"He made an immediate impression on me as I marveled at his style,technique and originally. I had never seen anyone else before (or since) play the guitar in quite the same manner with the same level of energy, intensity and creativity as Muldrow.
Mal Sands LA Jazz Scene
Guitarist Ronald Muldrow seems to run two musical lives. There's his international recording star persona, in which the guitarist has been heard with the likes of pianist Mulgrew Miller, drummer Yoron Israel, vibraphonist Steve Nelson,bassist Peter Washington and other glitterati. Then there's Muldrow the bandleader, the guy who presents those fascinating combinations of musicians in L.A., his current hometown, . ..While much is made of Muldrow's Wes Montgomery's influence, the guitarist also claims the tradition of Kenny Burrell, Grant Green and Phil Upchurch as his own.. . If you like the bumpin' style of Wes Montgomery, Muldrow both live and recorded is your man
Bill Kohlhaase LA Weekly
"Guitarist Ronald Muldrow is a highly skillful player, who demonstrates a fierceness on his instrument that is nearly mesmerizing..................Muldrow's fifth release as a leader clearly showcases him as one of the most intense guitarists in jazz today.
Danielle Bias JazzTimes Magazine
Ronald heard Wes Montgomery playing "Canadian Sunset on the radio while recovering from a broken leg. He was determined to follow in his footsteps of this genius. Subsequent influences on guitar include Kenny Burrell, Grant Green, Phillip Upchurch, Roland Faulkner and George Benson.
Muldrow has toured with Eddie Harris, Staple Singers, Lou Rawls, Ronnie Laws, Booker T. Jones and Maceo Parker, to name a few. After a long association with the great, Eddie Harris Ronald moved to New York City where he met Kevin Eubanks. He sometimes subbed for Kevin on gigs; one such memorable occasion was with Roy Haynes' band.
Since that time Muldrow has gone on to tour with his own band. Most notably at the Playboy Jazz Festival in Pasadena, CA, Newport Jazz Festival in Saratoga, New York.
Since then, Ronald has received his B.M. in Jazz Studies from Roosevelt University and his M.M in Studio Jazz Guitar from the University of Southern California. Ronald has released five CD's that have all received recognition in jazz circles. His first CD, "Gnowing You" included such talents as Larry Goldings on organ. Followed by "Yesterdays" featuring the legendary Melvin Rhyne, the original organist with the Wes Montgomery trio. His next CD, "Diaspora", brought Muldrow together with pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Yoron Israel. His fourth CD "Facing Wes" featured vibraphonist Steve Nelson, pianist James Williams, Yoron Israel, Peter Washington. Ronald's release "Freedom's Serenade" features vibraphonist Miller Pertum, pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Peter Washington, drummers Yoron Israel and Lorca Hart.
Ronald has written several books for Mel Bay Publications Inc. "Fundamentals Of Funk For Guitar", "Facing Wes, A Tribute To Wes Montgomery" ,"Jazz Guitar Notes"," Basic Funk Guitar" and "FunkYssentials". "Jazz Guitar 2000", Blues Guitar 2000" "Famous Funk Bass Lines" "Getting Into Funk Guitar"
Performances:
Ronnie Laws (1979), Teramasa Hino (1981)
Booker T. Jones (1987). Maceo Parker (1991-92),
Eddie Harris band (1987-95), Lou Rawls (1999-2000)
Dizzy Gillespie, Pharoah Sanders, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Woody Shaw, Jimmy Witherspoon, Fred Wesley, Lonnie Liston Smith, Melvin Rhyne, Mulgrew Miller, Billy Higgins, Cedar Walton, Tootie Heath, Ron Carter, Rufus Reid, Eddie Gladden, Valery Pomerov, James Williams, Peter Washington, Steve Nelson, Willie Bobo, Rapheal Murphy, James Gadson, Ndugu Chancler, Billy James, Kenny Kirkland, Brandford Marsalis, Micheal Brecker,
Yoron Israel, Gary Burton, Roy Haynes, Chico Hamilton, Little Milton, Staple Singers, Rufus Thomas, Les McCann, Ramsey Lewis, Robert Townsend, Linda Hopkins, O.C. Smith, Ernie Andrews.
Recording Credits: Eddie Harris:"Instant Death"
Eddie Sings The Blues"Is It In""That's Why Your Overweight"
"Listen Here""Dancing On A Rainbow"
Sonny Stitt:"Soul Girl"
Hubert Laws:"Family"
Ronald Muldrow:"Gnowing You""Yesterdays""Diaspora""
"Facing Wes""Freedom's Serenade""Mapenzi"
reviews
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a true artist, a true sound no b.s.
author: georgia anne muldrowwe love you poppa! may you work in peace as you enjoy your new life with all of our mighty ancestors, and may they love to hear your new works as well! thank you for teaching me so much about what it means to be a free thinking black musician in music, you will live on in my soul for eternity. uhuru
HIP , SWINGING
author: Richard D. Parker Jr. Parker's JazzworksI met Ronald between 1970-71. He was teaching guitar as an after school program at Mt. Vernon Elementtry school on the south side of chicago. At that time I was playing trumpet. Even then I found his skill inspiring.
Excellent CD. Real smooth
author: Shelia M.KelloggI really am enjoying this CD. It is excellent. Really smooth!
The cuts on Mapenzi are outstanding!
author: Thomas HendersonI have everyone of Ronald Muldrow's previous CDs. This CD is another step towards the pinnacle of jazz greatness and they just keep getting better.
Jazz guitar & Vibes never sounded so beautiful together ! !
author: Mike GadsbyThere is no better combination than Guitar and Vibrophone in contemporary "strait-ahead" Jazz and Ron Muldrow shows again how its done best. No whiny sax'es, just a lovely, relaxing groove. Like on his previous releases, there are beautiful ORIGINAL compositions, dreamy melodies here as well as a couple of new interpretations of classics. Note the hypnotic, soothing vibes of Miller Pertum - an underappreciated genious!! You must see them live!!
Mapenzi is creative, courageous and swinging!!!
author: P. Sabu RogersI sitting hear listening to Mapenzi and enjoying it immensely. Ron has definitely reached a pinnacle in his art . His music eptiomizes the essence of the jazz, while bringing fresh ideas to the genre. Ron and his crew are players par excellence. Mapenzi is definetly a CD worthy of wider audience exposure. Congratulations, well done.
Outstanding example of straightahead, swinging jazz
author: Gary WilliamsMr. Muldrow continues to grow, as a musician and as a composer. His work on Mapenzi is the best yet. The combination of guitar and vibes, and Ron's writing and arranging, make Mapenzi a great listening experience!
Mapenzi is so cool, it is perfect anytime or anyplace.
author: Trina HarveyMapenzi is perfection. The music mix is varied but cohesive, it smoothly moves you to the next experience. It is challenging musically because the play between the lyrical and the rhythmic parts is so interesting. I have several of Muldrow's cd's and have been happy with all of them. He always has good musicians in the mix.
I have two previous CDs by Ronald Muldrow . . .
author: James GardnerI have two previous CDs by Ronald Muldrow (Facin Wes and Freedom Serenade) and as usual this latest CD Mapenzi is an excellent work.