May 1998

Ron Kaplan
High Standards
Kapland Records

By Nancy Ann Lee

Monterey-area vocalist Ron Kaplan delivers a set of 11 American songbook chestnuts backed by a veteran trio of musician-educators, Smith Dobson, piano; Stan Poplin, bass; Steve Robertson, drums. Kaplan phrases with sophisticated ease at any tempo, scats sparingly, and gives his sidemen (including two guesting tenor saxmen) plenty of space as he glides through favorites such as "Dindi," "My Favorite Things," "Angel Eyes," and "Song For My Father." An auspicious debut.