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Jim Ridl

Jim Ridl is a pianist, composer, arranger and educator and resides in New Jersey. He performs internationally, nationally, and locally, with the Jim Ridl Trio and Quintet, the Dave Liebman Big Band, in duet with Diane Monroe, the Denis DiBlasio Quintet, the JD Walter Quartet, the Ant Farm Quartet and the Manhattan Bones.

Jim has 5 critically acclaimed cd releases: Your Cheatin’ Heart and Other Works (2005) with Ron Kerber, JD Walter, Steve Varner, Jim Miller and Jef Lee Johnson on the Dreambox Media Label ((more on this recording); Door In a Field (2003, DBM); Jim Ridl Trio/Live (2001, DBM); Blues Liberations - solo piano (2000, DBM); and Five Minutes to Madness and Joy (1999, Synergy). more info on these recordings

Jim’s current compositional projects are Sol Llena Suite (Spanish influenced pieces for clarinet, voice, violin, guitar, piano, bass, drums and percussion); a new interpretation of Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata for piano; arrangements of classic children’s beginning piano pieces for various ensembles; an art song cycle Songs of the Green River for voice and piano; arrangements of Czech and Norwegian folk songs for small orchestra; a piano concerto for youth...

As an educator, Jim has taught piano for over 25 years and maintains a private studio of 10 advanced students. He has conducted piano master classes at schools and universities, including the University of the Arts (Philadelphia, PA), Metropolitan State College (Denver, CO) and the University of Toledo (the Art Tatum Scholarship Artist in Residence).

Jim’s ten-year tenure with jazz guitar legend Pat Martino received many critically acclaimed reviews of performances around the world and produced 3 outstanding recordings. Jim’s inventive arrangement of the Sonny Rollins' classic Oleo can be heard on the Grammy-nominated release ”Pat Martino Live at Yoshi’s” with Joey DeFrancesco and Billy Hart. Jim’s composition Sun On My Hands can be heard on Martino’s Grammy-nominated release “Think Tank” in duet with Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

Jim is a member of the Dave Liebman Big Band, whose recording Beyond the Line is on the Omnitone label. (Jim also can be heard on vocalist JD Walter's collaboration with Liebman, Clear Day on Doubletime.)

Jim has also performed and recorded extensively with baritone saxophonist, Denis DiBlasio. They have recorded 5 CDs together, including Duets and Rhino on Encounter Records, and have performed most major jazz festivals and venues in the region.

Additionally, Jim has performed and/or recorded with Randy Brecker, Marc Johnson, James Moody, Slide Hampton, Clark Terry, Mickey Roker, Billy Hart, Mark Murphy, Ravi Coltrane, the Woody Herman Orchestra, the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, Cab Calloway, Bill Stewart, Rich Matteson, Ralph Bowen, Donny McCaslin, Mark Walker, Jean Michel Pilc, Dick and Ted Nash, Ari Hoenig, Jimmy Bruno, Tim Warfield, Terrell Stafford, Vic Juris, Paul Nash, Carla Cook, Francois Moutin, Bruce Williamson, Matt Wilson, Sherman Ferguson, Tyrone Brown, Rosanna Vitro, Duane Eubanks...

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2
Album Review

JD Walter: What the World Needs Now

Read "What the World Needs Now" reviewed by Pierre Giroux


JD Walter beckons listeners into a soulful and captivating journey through modern jazz interpretations of non-jazz material. With his unique vocal stylings and innovative arrangements, he brings a fresh perspective to familiar popular tunes, and several jazz standards, while delivering thought-provoking original compositions. From the very first track--Stevie Wonder's “Golden Lady"--it is evident that Walter's vocal prowess is a force to be reckoned with. He dashes along in full flight and then effortlessly shifts into intricate ...

10
Album Review

Joe Locke: Makram

Read "Makram" reviewed by Neil Duggan


One of the leading vibraphone specialists of the 21st century, Joe Locke has won multiple awards and performed with artists as diverse as the Beastie Boys and Ron Carter. It's not just his musicianship on the vibraphone that sets him apart. He is a highly versatile arranger, incorporating soul and international influences. Named after the Lebanese bassist Makram Aboul Hosn, Makram is an eclectic mix of the comforting, the challenging and the familiar. Locke's customary quartet features pianist ...

29
Album Review

Eric Goletz: Standard-ized!

Read "Standard-ized!" reviewed by Jack Bowers


If variety is on your wish list, you will find a lot to like on Standard-ized!, New York-based trombonist Eric Goletz's third album in three years. Group size and makeup are seldom the same, Goletz's charts traverse new realms, there are special guests to enhance the proceedings, and Goletz even enlists a six-piece string “orchestra" on several numbers. The strings accompany one of the guests, vocalist LaJuan Carter, on the Nat King Cole chart-topper, “Nature Boy," and ...

2
Album Review

Eric Goletz: A New Light

Read "A New Light" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci


Eric Goletz is a virtuoso trombonist who also writes and arranges. On first hearing, his core band may put some in mind of Chase, Bill Chase's high-flying group that featured both vocals and technically demanding trumpet. Goletz has something similar going on. The music opens with “Prelude: Before the Light" and “A New Light," with a stinging solo by guitarist Henry Heinitsch. Goletz, it may be observed, is the logical outcome of jazz-rock and funk meets brass ...

28
Album Review

Eric Goletz: A New Light

Read "A New Light" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Trombonist Eric Goletz, an in-demand studio musician and sideman in New York City for three decades, released his first album as leader of his own ensemble in March 2021, and quickly followed with the second, A New Light, wherein his core octet is bolstered by three trumpets, half a dozen horns and a five-member string section. Among his more well-known teammates are trumpeter Randy Brecker, pianist Jim Ridl, keyboardist Allen Farnham and drummer Steve Johns. Goletz' musical ...

3
Album Review

Paul Jost: While We Were Gone

Read "While We Were Gone" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci


According to Francis Bacon, some books are to be tasted and others to be swallowed whole. Likewise with recordings. Some are to be sampled. Others are to be thoroughly assimilated. Where the listener lands with Paul Jost will depend on a host of things. Are you political? If so, are you progressive? Then by all means, this recording is for you. Jost's soliloquy, “January 6th: An Appeal for Reason" will no doubt be convincing. If your politics are ...

76
Album Review

Peter DiCarlo: Onward

Read "Onward" reviewed by Friedrich Kunzmann


On his debut record, New York-based alto saxophonist Peter DiCarlo establishes himself as a serious straight-ahead composer who skillfully combines an elegant alto tone with intricate reed and horn arrangements that are propelled forward by a swinging rhythm section. Dominated by a majority of self-penned hard and post-bop scores, Onward—in accordance with its title—pushes last century's idioms into this one, exploring new and exciting territory that neither defies tradition, nor resists its modern environment. Swing is affirmed in ...

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Event

Ximo Tebar Band "The New Son Mediterraneo" Jazz With Sea Flavor At Smalls Jazz Club New York on May 24th With Jim Ridl, John Benitez & Donald Edwards

Ximo Tebar Band "The New Son Mediterraneo" Jazz With Sea Flavor At Smalls Jazz Club New York on May 24th With Jim Ridl, John Benitez & Donald Edwards

Source: Jazz Friends News

Virtuoso and innovative spanish jazz guitarist Ximo Téba will perform on May 24th at smalls jazz club accompanied by Donald Edwards, Jim Ridl and John Benítez. Creator of “Son Mediterráneo" style, Ximo Tebar is one of the most international Spanish musicians, with an impressive career, numerous awards, excellent recordings and performances in the most prestigious festivals around the world. Son Mediterráneo is the hallmark of the innovative Valencian guitarist Ximo Tebar since the early '90s, a mix of jazz jazz ...

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Performance / Tour

Jim Ridl & Terrell Stafford Thurs. Oct. 18th In Olde City Philadelphia!

Jim Ridl & Terrell Stafford Thurs. Oct. 18th In Olde City Philadelphia!

Source: Jim Miller

Pianist Jim Ridl and trumpeter Terrell Stafford are Philadelphia jazz musicians and recording artists who continue to receive worldwide acclaim for their artistry, versatility, creativity, and contributions to improvisational music. Jazz Bridge, the Philadelphia-based non-profit organization dedicated to assisting area jazz and blues musicians in need, is presenting these astounding artists in concert on October 18th at the Arch Street Friends Meeting House on 4th and Arch Street in Philadelphia. This is Jazz Bridge's season opener at the Olde City ...

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Performance / Tour

Jazz Bridge Presents Jim Ridl at the Unitarian Universalist Church (Media, PA) on January 19

Jazz Bridge Presents Jim Ridl at the Unitarian Universalist Church (Media, PA) on January 19

Source: Suzanne Cloud

Pianist Jim Ridl willl be appearing at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 145 W. Rose Tree Road in Media, PA, with his band on January 19, 2011. One Show: 7:30-9 p.m. $10/$5 students. No advance sales. For info: 610-745-3011 Free refreshments. Jim Ridl is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger and teacher in the New York City area. He performs internationally and nationally with the Jim Ridl Trio and Quintet, the Dave Liebman Big Band, the Denis DiBlasio Quintet, and the Antfarm ...

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Website

Saxophonist David Liebman and Pianist Jim Ridl Discuss The Creative Process in Jazz at AAJ

Saxophonist David Liebman and Pianist Jim Ridl Discuss The Creative Process in Jazz at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz

Unlike most other art forms, jazz creativity emerges directly in performance through improvisation. Every jazz performance is unique and comes together in real time while it is being played. Each moment is an original contribution, and not merely an interpretation.

It is clear that some musicians push the envelope more than others. They take necessary risks to explore new territory. Sometimes, they redefine the nature of jazz itself. While they appreciate their lineage, they are not satisfied with merely pursuing ...

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Performance / Tour

A Piano-Plus Jazz Series Dec 5th Jim Ridl Piano Jazz Duo with Diane Monroe on Violin

A Piano-Plus Jazz Series Dec 5th Jim Ridl Piano Jazz Duo with Diane Monroe on Violin

Source: All About Jazz

December 5, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] Reminder!!! RobertaOnTheArts.com and A.C. Pianocraft, Inc. www.RobertaOnTheArts.com and http://www.acpianocraft.com/ homepage.asp Are Pleased to Announce A Piano-Plus Jazz Series December 5, 8:00 - 10:00 PM! December 5, 2005, Jim Ridl Piano Jazz Duo with Diane Monroe on Violin See Jim Ridl CD Review: http://www.robertaonthearts.com/id454.html All Concert Profits to be sent to The New Orleans Musicians' Clinic http://wwoz.org/clinic/ $20/Ticket, At the Door, Includes 8 - 10 PM Concert, ...

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Performance / Tour

Jim Ridl Piano Jazz Duo with Diane Monroe on Violin December 5, 8:00 - 10:00 PM! at A.C. Pianocraft

Jim Ridl Piano Jazz Duo with Diane Monroe on Violin December 5, 8:00 - 10:00 PM! at A.C. Pianocraft

Source: All About Jazz

November 21, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Reminder!!!RobertaOnTheArts.com and A.C. Pianocraft, Inc. www.RobertaOnTheArts.com http://www.acpianocraft.com/homepage.asp Are Pleased to Announce A Piano-Plus Jazz Series December 5, 8:00 - 10:00 PM! Jim Ridl Piano Jazz Duo with Diane Monroe on Violin See Jim Ridl CD Review: http://www.robertaonthearts.com/id454.html All Concert Profits to be sent to The New Orleans Musicians' Clinic http://wwoz.org/clinic/ $20/Ticket, At the Door, Includes 8 - 10 PM Concert, Wine, and Hors d'Oeuvres PLUS Raffle for a Choice Treatment at ...

153

Performance / Tour

Jim Ridl Trio @ The Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton, NJ

Jim Ridl Trio @ The Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton, NJ

Source: All About Jazz

A Passage Theatre Company production, in conjunction with microJAZZ Studios

The JIM RIDL TRIO @the Mill Hill Playhouse Trenton, NJ March 6th, 2004 7:30 to 10:00 P.M.

Jim Ridl, a critically acclaimed jazz pianist, was raised on a farm in North Dakota. He attended college at the University of Colorado at Denver, and performed with the Grammy-nominated vocal jazz group, Rare Silk. Jim, now a resident of Hamilton, New Jersey, ...

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Standard-ized!

Consolidated Artists Productions
2023

buy

Makram

Circle 9 Records
2023

buy

What the World Needs...

Arkadia Records
2023

buy

Secret Language

MaryLynn Gillaspie
2022

buy

Live in Portugal -...

Arkadia Records
2022

buy

Onward

Shifting Paradigm Records
2021

buy

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