As by Ralph Simon

“…rich-textured, musically adventurous…“- Wall Street Journal

Jazz Saxophonist and composer Ralph Simon’s Postcards Records album release as a leader, entitled “Ralph Simon: As”, features an ensemble of like-minded players who also leave their musical imprint on this collection of vivid and challenging compositions. The result is an invigorating mix of straight-ahead tunes and more unusual pieces, including the first recording of the song “Skin on Skin”, written by the great composer/vocalist Annette Peacock.

“…Finally Simon’s second album arrived… …his tenor and soprano, with rich and deep tones, vibrate though the transparent space… …very serious music, remarkably rich and colorful.” – Swing Journal (Japan)

Besides the stellar musicianship of Simon, the album also features Jazz drummer Billy Hart and the last recorded performances of the late great pianist Gene Adler. As both an example Simon’s musical revelations and as a historic documentation of the creativity of this ensemble of renowned musicians, the album “Ralph Simon: As” stands as a testament to the inventive spirit of Jazz music.

Simon stated “I wanted to memorialize the pianist, my friend Gene Adler, who died in 1992, and to try to allow him some of the recognition he never got in this life. Big music and big fun were everything Gene was about – just listen to his playing on this disc.” The ensemble of musicians Simon chose for this recording includes not only Adler but also Jeff Berman (vibes), Tom Beyer (percussion), David Dunaway (bass), Billy Hart (drums), Marc Johnson (bass), Dan Rose (guitar), and Chip White (drums).

“These players were able to leave their musical imprint on a group of vivid compositions which set up and explore an area that is extraordinarily wide, as well as deep, for improvising”, notes Simon. The result is a heady mix of straight-ahead and more unusual pieces, with something for every refined jazz palate.

AS features three compositions by Simon (“Kalimba”, “Gepetto”, and “Julie and Julius”) and one by vibraphonist Jeff Berman (“Promise”), in addition to Annette Peacock’s “Skin on Skin”. “My deep thanks go to each and every player on this disc”, says Simon, “for they really gave so much of themselves to our music”.

Born in New York, NY, Simon studied music at The Johns Hopkins University and at the Peabody Conservatory. His teachers included Joe Napoleon, Lee Konitz, and Sam Rivers.