Beverly Ritz: Home
THE INN AT OTTER CREST: Another Great Venue, Another Great Audience!!
On a mission to preserve and perform jazz classics and elegant original music, pianist/composer Beverly Ritz has found a new audience once again with her performance in the Flying Dutchman Restaurant at the Inn at Otter Crest in Otter Rock, Oregon on August 7, 2010. Presenting 22 songs during 2 sets of dinner jazz, Beverly claims this was her most challenging and satisfying performance. Her repertoire that evening included the whimsical "Blues for Buddy," a classical approach to "The House of the Rising Sun," and a unique and harmonically rich arrangement of "Take Five." She also premiered an arrangement of Harold Arlen's classic, "Blues in the Night" intertwined with Ms. Ritz's composition, "Walk Away from the Blues." And another song Beverly introduced that night was her haunting jazz waltz, "Aren't You the One?"
Could there be a lovelier setting for hearing Beverly Ritz's music than the Flying Dutchman Restaurant at the Inn at Otter Crest? The combination of soothing melodies, the perfect extended harmonies of the Pacific Ocean, and world-class cuisine seemed like just what the Oregon coast should embrace. The audience was thrilled with Beverly's arrangements of "Summertime," "My Favorite Things," "Over the Rainbow," and "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning." And the staff as well as the diners were exuberant about her renditions of such jazz classics as "Naima," "All Blues," and "Girl from Ipanema."
Beverly is grateful for this opportunity to try out a new piano and a new venue, and she hopes to return to perform there soon. Please call the Inn at Otter Crest, 541 765-2111, ask for the Flying Dutchman Restaurant, and inquire when Beverly will be filling the restaurant with her ritzy music again!
Her fans from Florence to Portland should mark their calendars for Miss Ritz's first concert in Lincoln City, Oregon at the Lincoln City Cultural Center Saturday evening, November 6, 7:00 p.m.
On March 21, 2010, Beverly Ritz gave a concert in Florence, Oregon, after a series of events opened the door for the musical performance to materialize. Kathy Parsons, music educator and music journalist of www.mainlypiano.com, asked Beverly to give a house concert in Florence at the exact time when Beverly was planning a benefit concert to give financial aid to Haitian orphans. 19 songs were presented by Beverly at this unforgettable event. She was inspired by the gorgeous venue with wonderful acoustics (Kathy Parsons' home), the perfectly tuned Yamaha grand piano, AND the tremendous enthusiasm of THE "most hip" audience!!!
The concert began with "Summertime" (composed by George Gershwin). Beverly gave it a treatment somewhat familiar to those who have heard the song on her most recent CD, but her improvising was even more elaborate and daring. Like songs within a song.
Next was Beverly's luscious and spacious arrangement of John Coltrane's "Naima."
Then she played Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower" with an original vamp of 13th chords used as an intro and interlude for this exotic piece.
Next, it was Beverly's original tune, "Blues for Phil," a tribute to guitarist Phil Mack, with the unmistakable influence of the music of guitarist Wes Montgomery...
Horace Silver's "Song for My Father" never sounded like this before! Beverly's arrangement included McCoy Tyner-like improvising with polychords replacing the expected single-note melodic lines.
"Over the Rainbow" had many surprises, too! An intro that didn't identify this standard. And Beverly's interpretation of "the verse," a section of the song that she completed just days before the concert. The audience was delighted with Beverly's extraordinary arrangement.
Miles Davis' "All Blues" did not disappoint the jazz fans who were obviously hungry for the kinds of songs and sounds Beverly presented.
Then Beverly gave this special audience her premiere performance of Chick Corea's "Sea Journey."
Next, changing the mood again, Beverly premiered an updated version of her 1986 tune, "Walk Away from the Blues." Bluesy yet so melodic that you could be whistling the tune after the first hearing!
During the break the audience was treated to the fantastic New Orleans' desserts provided by Beverly's friend & fan, Patrick Peaden, of The Southern Sweet Potato Pie Company. Patrick and his friend/business partner, Chef Patrick Henry, wanted to contribute to this benefit for Haiti in a unique way. (The chef's incredible etouffe was served for dinner after the concert!) Jazz lovers were overwhelmed by such a generous and wonderful addition to the music!
The second set began with "Lacey Mae," the title track of Beverly's 2009 CD. A simple and lively melody on the surface with a complex left hand creating a multitude of colorful harmonies, like the Golden Retriever for whom the song was written.
Then it was Beverly's McCoy Tyner-like interpretation of Richard Rodgers' "My Favorite Things." A great jazz waltz full of polyphonic chords!
Another debut next: "If the River Could Remind You," Beverly's song about the Siuslaw River (which flows through Florence). The audience was pleased with the depth created by unusual chord voicings and the flow of the enchanting melody.
"Poinciana," (Ahmad Jamal's hit), was dreamy and soothing.
"Someone There to Love Me," Beverly's song from her "BY ROWDY CREEK" album was a treat for lovers of "Cool jazz" and 13th chords that Gil Evans would endorse.
"Willow Creek" was one of Beverly's biggest challenges: Marian McPartland's gorgeous song which Beverly learned from a lead sheet Marian had sent her.
"Under the Redwood Trees" is Beverly's song about the land where she now lives. The melody and the rhythmic bass line tell the story of beautiful, gigantic trees.
This unforgettable concert also included Beverly's premiere of her interpretation of Richard Rodgers' "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning." The audience had a hard time NOT singing along! And then another surprise! Beverly wove "Norwegian Wood" into the jazz classic from "OKLAHOMA!"
"Poor Mister Gray" is a song Beverly wrote about a homeless gray cat that appeared on her porch, begging for food and a home. This song is on Beverly's first CD, "TANGO, WHERE DID THE TIME GO?" And yet Beverly's arrangement for these enthusiastic Oregonians announced that she had refined the piece, allowing it to evolve into a tune that could have been written by McCoy Tyner or Chick Corea!
Finally, the last piece of the day was the title track of Beverly's 2007 CD, "BY ROWDY CREEK." Despite the 18 difficult songs preceding this bossa nova, Beverly played it with vitality, sensitivity, and an absolute surrender to sheer joy!
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Beverly Ritz has recorded 3 CDs, and the most recent album is LACEY MAE. After all 9 tracks were broadcast on Saturday Night Jazz on KMHD (www.kmhd.org) in Portland, Oregon, the station has put this soothing solo piano album in general rotation!
And Curt's Cafe WebJazz Radio, a popular 24/7 Live365 jazz station on the Internet, has added "Little Sunflower" and "Naima" to its play list!! Listen to Curtis Davenport's serious jazz selections at www.live365.com/stations/curtjazz?
Howard Sharper, the Program Director of NPR station WUCX at Delta College in Michigan, is a dedicated friend of jazz & blues, and has added LACEY MAE to the play list! WUCX can be streamed on the web by going to: www.delta.edu/broadcasting/ Then hit "On-line jazz."
From the 5 Star review by Kathy Parsons on www.mainlypiano.com: LACEY MAE is the latest recording by Northern California's Beverly Ritz. A blending of "west coast cool" and "modern impressionism," Ritz's nine solo piano tracks are made up of six jazz standards and three original pieces. The songs are vey different from each other, but Ritz gives them all a "cool" and relaxing treatment that creates a consistently pleasant mood from start to finish. Some of her unusual chord voicings add spice to her arrangements, but there are no jarring discordances or "acid" moments..... Ritz begins with Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower." Its gentle rhythm and languid pace set the tone of the album. The left hand creates the feeling of a lazy breeze that causes the "head" of the sunflower to dance along in an unhurried and carefree way. Ritz's arrangement of "Summertime" is slinky and wonderful. You can almost feel the humidity coming through the notes! John Coltrane's "Naima" is graceful, reflective, and beautiful...
From LACEY MAE's introduction by renowned jazz critic Scott Yanow: Her picturesque music features original chord voicings. Her solos are rhythmic, have a forward momentum, are often cinematic, and could accurately be called poetry without words. Her accessible and haunting style will appeal to many listeners and she has the potential to become a household name.
Award-winning designer/engineer Charles Pell exclaims: Now you have really done it, big time! The album (LACEY MAE) is a jewel beyond belief--it's truly gorgeous and I love it!
