Podcast appearances and mentions of ron aprea

**It's The Jazz2Go Show Replay On traxfm.org. Jazz2Go Presented Some Classic & Contemporary Jazz Crackers From Duke Pearson, Nicole Henry, Lili Araujo, Scrimshire & Penya, Pio Leiva, Ron Aprea, Earth Wind & Fire, Quiet Boys & More #Jazz #JazzClassics #ContemporaryJazz #JazzGroove #JazzSoul Catch Jazz2Go Every Monday From 7PM UK Time Listen Live Here Via The Trax FM Player: chat.traxfm.org/player/index.html Mixcloud LIVE :mixcloud.com/live/traxfm Free Trax FM Android App: play.google.com/store/apps/det...mradio.ba.a6bcb The Trax FM Facebook Page : facebook.com/original103.3 Trax FM Live On Hear This: hearthis.at/k8bdngt4/live Tunerr: tunerr.co/radio/Trax-FM Tune In Radio : tunein.com/radio/Trax-FM-s225176 OnLine Radio Box: onlineradiobox.com/uk/trax/?cs...cs=uk.traxRadio Radio Deck: radiodeck.com/radio/5a09e2de87...7e3370db06d44dc Radio.Net: traxfmlondon.radio.net Stream Radio : streema.com/radios/Trax_FM..The_Originals Live Online Radio: liveonlineradio.net/english/tr...ax-fm-103-3.htm**

Big Bands were on their way out when jazz musician Ron Aprea was ready to make his mark on the music scene.  However, that didn't deter the young saxophone player from embarking on a career in that genre.  Without a doubt the New York native had talent. His sax playing and instincts were top rate, and eventually his ability to arrange and write charts would grab the attention of his peers. So, with all that talent and a deep love for big band music, Aprea doggedly became a successful part of the final era of the great big bands.  Fittingly, his new autobiography is entitled ‘The Era I Almost Missed,' and, to borrow a phrase from Dr. Seuss, “Oh, the places he went!”…and the people he met. He has played major roles in performances with music legends such as Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong, Woody Herman, Tito Puente and even rocker John Lennon at the height of his post-Beatle popularity. In an interview with journalist and songwriter Robert Neil, Aprea talks about his career and how jazz seemed destined to be a part of his life. The book is available at his website, www.ronaprea.com 

For Video Edition, Please Click and Subscribe Here: https://youtu.be/fhidKvftVpI Ron Aprea grew up in Astoria, NY and clearly remembers seeing Pete Fountain playing the clarinet on television. Inspired to play, Ron went to his elementary school band director, Mr. Cahill, and asked to play what he thought was Pete's instrument, a saxophone. So that's what the school gave him. That little mistake has given the world of Jazz an artist that contributes to the genre with exceptional skill to this day. Continuing to play throughout his school years, Ron finally got his own alto saxophone at age 16 and started taking lessons in a studio across the street from Radio City Music Hall. It was also during this time that Ron would frequent the famed Birdland Jazz Club on Broadway. He spent a lot of time soaking up inspiration from all of the Big Band and Jazz legends that played the club – such as Count Basie and Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Both would prove to be major influences in Ron's career. It was at Birdland that Ron met Frank Foster, who played with and arranged for Count Basie; the two became lifelong friends. One of many prized items in Ron's memorabilia is a collection of original arrangements that Frank had written for Basie's band and then gave Ron copies for his band. Ron has spent years perfecting his musical prowess. He's played with legends like Woody Herman, Tito Puente, Billy May, Skitch Henderson and Lionel Hampton. While playing with Hamp, he had the opportunity to do a recorded performance at the Smithsonian Institute, where Ron's solos were taped and placed into their Archives. As part of an All-Star band, Ron played at a 2001 Charlie Parker Birthday Tribute in Harlem. He has also been featured during performances at the Paramount Theatre and the world famous Apollo Theatre. 

Having played with some of the greats on the big band scene, saxophonist Ron Aprea has carved out a long and successful career as a jazz musician. He has also been part of rock and roll history as one of a small group of horn players to record with John Lennon on the former Beatle’s 1974 Walls and Bridges album. In this interview with Robert Neil, Aprea talks about his recent tribute album to Lennon and the Beatles as well as what it was like to record with Lennon (including a story about Lennon photocopying his face). Notably, Aprea’s album features a version of “Imagine,” where he is joined by trumpeter Steve Madaio, one of the other original musicians from the Walls and Bridges sessions. (More information about Aprea and his album can be found at RonAprea.com.) (The interview was produced and recorded at the O&F Studios, www.OandFStudios.com)

Ron Aprea is extremely accomplished in his field for a guy who didn’t know what a saxophone was when he first started out. That’s right – one of the most talented (yet somehow under the radar) saxophone players around thought he was going to be playing clarinet. Ron grew up in Astoria, NY and clearly remembers seeing Pete Fountain playing the clarinet on television. Inspired to play, Ron went to his elementary school band director, Mr. Cahill, and asked to play  what he thought was Pete’s instrument, a saxophone.So that’s what the school gave him. That little mistake has given the world of Jazz an artist that contributes to the genre with exceptional skill to this day. John Lennon's life and artistry were taken from us in 1980, he left behind a treasure trove of musical masterpieces.Ron worked on Lennon's  Walls and Bridges album.  In 2014, Ron searched the former Beatle's library, and now pays a long-overdue tribute to the musical genius of  John Lennon. On Lennon's  Walls and Bridges album, John used 5 horns, dubbing them "Little Big Horns."  Ron's tribute also includes a horn section, along with a string ensemble, and added guest soloists.  The guest artists include trumpeter extraordinaire Brian Lynch, virtuoso violinist Matt Aprea,  jazz guitar veteran Dom Minasi, and a cameo performance by jazz vocalist Angela DeNiro.  Another special guest is trumpeter Steve Madaio, a fitting addition to this album, as Steve was also a member of the Walls and Bridges' Little Big Horns.  This collaboration is a mystical moment on this tribute, as Steve and Ron reunite in  a heart-felt tribute to their former bandleader,  with a stunning rendition of  Lennon's "Imagine".

  Having recorded with John Lennon in 1974 on the "Walls and Bridges" album, Ron will be producing a jazz tribute to Lennon and his songs.  Ron remembers recording with John Lennon and Elton John on the album Walls and Bridges and it created a longing to do a tribute album to John himself. The all-star horn section included Howard Johnson, Frank Vicari, and Steve Madeo. Ron Aprea, composer, arranger, producer, saxophonist, clarinetist, and flutist, has performed with Woody Herman, Les Elgart, Tito Puente, Frank Foster, Buddy Morrow, Billy May, Charlie Persip, Nat Adderley, Lionel Hampton, and Louis Armstrong.Ron Aprea,  jazz saxophonist & arranger, been recording and producing albums for over 30 years. In 1974, I had the honor of being one of the “Little Big Horns” on John Lennon’s 1974 “Walls and Bridges” album. John was an amazing human being, and my vision is to honor the music and spirit of John Lennon with a jazz tribute album.  *This album will include 12 songs, most of which are Lennon or Lennon/McCartney collaborations,  with a gem by George Harrison. my “John Lennon Story” which can be read in its entirety at http://ronaprea.com/john-lennon.html        *** Please make sure to check out how you can be part of this exciting project at Kickstarter!  

Ron Aprea, composer, arranger, producer, saxophonist, clarinetist, and flutist, has performed with Woody Herman, Les Elgart, Tito Puente, Frank Foster, Buddy Morrow, Billy May, Charlie Persip, Nat Adderley, Lionel Hampton, and Louis Armstrong.While with Hamp's band, some of the highlights were a Ramsey Lewis television special, and a recorded concert at the Smithsonian Institute, where Ron's solos were taped and put into their Archives. Ron was the featured soloist and arranger for performances with Nat Adderley at the world-famous Apollo Theatre, and he also performed at the Paramount Theatre with King Curtis' Big Band. Ron has played shows for literally hundreds of stars, including Clint Holmes, Rita Moreno, Robert Merrill, Chita Rivera, Rich Little, and Billy Eckstine.In 1974, Ron recorded with John Lennon and Elton John on the album entitled Walls and Bridges. The all-star horn section included Howard Johnson, Frank Vicari, and Steve Madeo. Ron was a featured soloist on the jazz-gospel album Free to Be Free. On June 5th 2013 Ron released his own album entitled Ron Aprea Sextet-Remembering Blakey, Ron's tribute to Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers. Ron's front line on this album is Joe Magnarelli-trpt., Jerry Weldon-tenor, and Ron on alto. The rhythm section is Cecilia Coleman-piano, Tim Givens-bass, and Vince Cherico-drums. The album is a mix of originals and standards. Ron has two of his own originals, Sophia and For Pete's Sake ,for the late bassist & close friend Pete Chivily. Although none of the 12 cuts are tunes that Blakey recorded, Ron confesses that in writing for this project Blakey's Jazz Messengers kept popping into his head. when drummer Vince Cherico came to the session and asked Ron "what type of feel do you want?" Ron said one word "Blakey!"  Ron is currently working on an album with vocalist Tony Yezzo. The producer is bassist Al Cardillo, who collaborated with Ron on the writing.