The Year of Tony Bennett is proud to recognize Ralph Sharon as the musical collaborator the month for September 2017.
Ralph Sharon was born in London on September 23, 1923. He emigrated to the United States in 1954 and in 1958, became Tony Bennett’s pianist and musical director.
I’ll be sharing more about Mr. Sharon over this month. But today I’ll let Mr. Bennett speak, in his wonderful memory of Ralph in Jazz Times.
Tony Bennett Remembers Ralph Sharon – JazzTimes
Each year, in our March issue, we ask prominent musicians to pay tribute to fellow artists who have passed in the previous year. This piece appeared in the March 2016 edition of JazzTimes. As with other artists, there’s always one song that’s bigger than any other song, and for me that was “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”
I have been a Tony Bennett fan a long time. Nothing beats his collaborations with Ralph Sharon. Were I a jazz singer, I can think of no one I’d want backing me more than Ralph and the bass players and drummers that have formed his trios.. His style was absolutely impeccable. He had a wonderful touch at the keys. I dare say that he was one of the greatest jazz pianists who ever lived and arguably one of the most underrated. I enjoyed listening to him backing Tony and especially his playing during the bridges. Great singers like Tony are gifted with extraordinary talent, but that talent is magnified tremendously when supported by equally talented musicians like the late great Ralph Sharon. Wish I could find some of his backing recordings somewhere as they could stand alone as wonderful jazz works in their own right.
I agree — their work together was wonderful. I hope you enjoy Ralph Sharon month!
Suzanne