Ralph Sharon: Plays the Harry Warren Songbook

Following shortly on the heels of Warren Vache’s tribute to Hollywood songwriter Harry Warren (Warren Plays Warren, Nagel-Heyer 033) is this perfectly realized piano trio paean to the same inspirational source. However, the two albums couldn’t be more different from one another. Unlike cornetist Vache, who has remained at the center of the jazz mainstream for the last 20 years, Sharon has been so closely associated with Tony Bennett for the past four decades that many might be unaware of his independent abilities as a jazz pianist, a talent he demonstrates here in the company of bassist Douglas Richeson and drummer Clayton Cameron. Among the more familiar Warren tunes that have become daily grist for the jazzman’s mill, Sharon chose “You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me,” “September In The Rain,” “The More I See You,” “Jeepers Creepers,” “I Only Have Eyes For You,” and “Lullaby Of Broadway,” while the remaining numbers include some of the greatest pop hits of the mid-century, such as “This Heart Of Mine,” “Serenade In Blue,” “At Last,” “You’ll Never Know” and “I’ve Got A Gal In Kalamazoo.”

Originally Published April 1, 1998