The Guitar Player's Resource
Drummer Al Ashley's first recording as a bandleader, These Are Them (JAZZAND 1001), is a straight-ahead jazz CD release featuring the guitar work of Rick Stone. Stone doesn't get all the solo assignments however, as organist Oliver Von Esson and saxophonist David Liebman share the spotlight, which means Stone's comping skills are also amply in evidence. Ashley's sophisticated rhythm accompaniment on "Blue Note" lays the groundwork for Stone's ultra-tasty guitar solo, while "Perfect Day" offers a wonderful example of Stone's phrasing ability. "The Other Time" features a crisp, structured guitar solo, while Stone's original "Relative Minority" offers a rich-toned, propulsive, extended solo that serves as a veritable showpiece. If improvisationally grounded jazz trios are your thing, don't miss this opportunity to hear Ashely, Stone and the other talented musicians on These Are Them.
Rick Stone began playing guitar at age nine in his hometown of Cleveland. He studied classical guitar and theory at Cuyahoga Community College and then moved on to Berklee College of Music where he earned his Bachelor of Music in 1980. In 1982 he moved to New York to find a fertile and stimulating environment in Barry Harris' Jazz Cultural Theatre. Then, under the tutelage of jazz masters Jimmy Heath, Ted Dunbar, Donald Byrd, Tony Purrone and Hal Galper, he earned his M.A. at Queens College in 1991. Rick's recordings "Blues For Nobody" and "Far East" have received wide critical acclaim and his group has appeared at venues like Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, The Smithsonian Institute, The Blue Note and Birdland. He currently teaches at Jazz in July (U. Mass./Amherst), the JazzMobile, Hofstra University, City College, and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.
In recent years Stone's interests in audio and computer technology have led him to build a recording studio in his home where he produces numerous projects.
Jim Eigo
United States
Web site: www.rickstone.com