Artist description Los Angeles native Ron Kaplan's musical style is reminiscent of the great jazz vocalists of the 1950's. Critics note his sophisticated phrasing, tone and diction. They also recognize his ability to get to the heart of the song with his own mark of musicianship.

Music Style Jazz

Musical Influences Gershwin, Sinatra, Horace Silver, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme

Similar Artists Mel Torme

Artist History Born in Hollywood, Calif., Kaplan evinced musical inclinations at an early age. His father was a trumpet player, his mother a jazz enthusiast. But, surprisingly, neither encouraged Kaplan's formative interest in music. "Nobody ever really gave me lessons," he says. "It took me about 10 years to talk my father into buying me a set of drums. There wasn't a lot of support in the home environment." In college, Kaplan took a death and-dying course that would ultimately have a profound influence on his aspirations. "In one of the [class] exercises," he says, "we were asked two questions: If you were on your death bed, what would be your regrets? And if you were born again, what would you really want to do? It gave me a chance to review my life at a young age. And one of the things on my list was that I wanted to play at least three instruments." Guitar, then piano, followed the childhood drum set. All the while, he continued to sing, write songs and perform at coffeehouses. Subsequent devotion to his family and career, however, dispatched music to the back burner. In fact, it was all but forgotten. One day though, he asked himself a question that first had been posed during the aforementioned college course: If you could have one job in life, what would it be? "Without any hesitation the answer came," Kaplan says. "And it was: to sing. That got me really motivated to learn everything I could about jazz." He adds, "I think it was Sinatra who said that a singer's voice doesn't mature until [he or she] is 40. And that was always in the back of my mind. I was 41 when I thought, 'Hey, what am I waiting for?'"

Group Members Ron Kaplan, vocals; Smith Dobson, piano; Stan Poplin, bass; Steve Robertson, drums; Donny McCaslin Jr., Paul Contos, tenor saxophone

Instruments Vocals, piano, bass, drums, saxophone

Albums High Standards, Lounging Around

Press Reviews "High Standards", presenting Ron Kaplan is a smart package, featuring superb musicians, and the heart and soul of a mature vocalist and leader..."High Standards" is just that, from the moment you look at the album jacket and put on the CD until you hear the final notes of "Lazy Afternoon.--Jazz Improv Magazine Ron Kaplan plays jazz and pop in a cool setting, knows what he's doing...and it pays off. With music like this, Kaplan could go far.--Music Connection, the West Coast Music Trade MagazineKaplan phrases with sophisticated ease at any tempo.JazzTimes, America's Jazz Magazine

Location Santa Cruz, CA - USA

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