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REVIEW by Jazz Society of Oregon: Jazzscene. NO PLACE TO HIDE, Ron Eschete', guitar and Mort Weiss, clarinet. It was at Port Townsend's glorious summer jazz fest that Ron Eschete' was kind enough to hand me a copy of this two CD set for review in Jazzscene. At first glance I thought, "hmmmm, clarinet and guitar...I don't know." But I've listened to it a few times now, and can only wonder why these two instruments have not combined in duo performance until now. Mort Weiss plays a highly personal, understated, silvery sounding clarinet. And Eschete' is highly versatile with gorgeous harmonies and subtleties behind Weiss's clarinet statements. To say nothing of his brilliant solos! The 19 tunes are handpicked gems such as Pent Up House, Sonny Moon For Two, East Of The Sun, Out Of Nowhere, Yardbird Suite, Days Of Wine And Roses, Indian Summer and lots more. Does the duo of clarinet and guitar really work? In the hands of these two high rung cats, and how!!! Make inquiries to info@smsjazz.com. SMS Jazz 2002; PT; 42:54 & 51:17, **** Jazz Society of Oregon: CD Reviews THE FIRST RECORDING available on the SMSJAZZ label, "No Place To Hide" is a double CD, a duet featuring Ron Eschete', guitar and Mort Weiss, clarinet. Mort and Ron combine talents to make this one of the most unique duos to come your way in a long time and when Ron kicks in that seventh string, it becomes a trio before your very ears. You will recognize the standards and be captivated by the blend of these two instruments, played by extraordinary musicians. "'No Place to Hide' CD is worth seeking out." to quote Steve Eddy of the Orange County Register. "A really nice double CD crossed the morass that is our desk recently. It's called 'No Place to Hide' and is a passel of standout duets between guitar virtuoso Ron Eschete' and sumptuous clarinetist Mort Weiss.. The 19 tracks,virtually all standards, are a neat blend of swingers and ballads, all delivered with an extreme dose of verve and elan." SMS JAZZ is a new recording label, conceived in the fall of 2001 to promote and publish the recordings of jazz guitarist, Ron Eschete' and jazz clarinetist, Mort Weiss. This recording was done by Chuck Mitchell on two dates in December 2001, at the Voice of the Arts studio (http://www.voiceofthearts.com). Cover art work is by Steve Gugerty (email: drawfish3@charter.net). They have proven to be two most dedicated professionals. Steve wrote of the recording session: "What a priviledge it was to witness such spontaniety. I could hardly believe my ears when I found out that Mort and Ron were improvising such counterpoint and detail with little or no rehearsal. The whole process was so enjoyable that it made clear how fortunate I was to be in the studio creating with such wonderful and talented people, in a surrounding of complete humility, caring attitudes, and incredible jokes. I can die and go to heaven now." There will be more. Plans are being made for a second recording of Ron & Mort..a further dialog between these two musicians and their instruments. In the meantime, Ron and Mort are performing at such well-known Southern California jazz venues as Martini Blues and Orange County's premier jazz club, Steamer's Cafe, as well as the nationally acclaimed Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles. 'No Place to Hide' is receiving air time on KLON, the nation's most complete jazz radio station. RON ESCHETE' is originally from Louisiana and grew up playing the Blues, eventually playing in most of the major Blues clubs on New Orleans famous Bourbon Street. Ron studied classical guitar and flute at Loyola University and moved to California in 1970. In 1975 he joined pianist Gene Harris and quickly established his reputation as an accomplished accompanist. He has played with all the jazz greats, including Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Ray Brown, and Ernestine Anderson and many others. In addition to playing and recording, Ron has taught for twenty five years at some of the nation's major universities North Texas State Universily, Utah State University, California State University at Long Beach, California State University at Fullerton and Musician's Institute in Hollywood. He is the author of several books on jazz guitar. Ron is a master of the 7-string guitar and his chords are exquisite, the Bill Evans of the jazz guitar. Because of the seventh string, he sometimes sounds as though two people are playing. Dr Herb Wong says of Ron "As a leader, soloist, arranger and accompanist, Ron's wherewithal is armed with Protean strengths and vitality, enhanced with eloquent harmonic and melodic language". MORT WEISS was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Los Angeles in 1945. He studied classical clarinet with Antonio Ramandi among others and attended Westlake School of Music followng his graduation from high school. His classical background is readily apparent in his remarkable technic. Mort learned the blues playing with "Senator" Eugene Wright and jamming with Richard "Groove" Holmes. During his high school years, he and his friends often stood at the kitchen doors of LA jazz clubs listening to such great jazz musicians as Miles Davis, Buddy DeFranco, Dexter Gordon. He loved it! After the Army, he returned to LA . Since there was no market for a jazz clarinetist and Rock & Roll was the rage, he turned to the saxophone and formed his own band, touring the West Coast and playing often in Las Vegas. In 1965, in search of a more stable lifestyle, he stopped playing and started working in a music store , eventually opening his own business, the "Sheet Music Shoppe" in 1979. In 1986, Mort started playing again producing a series of concerts at a local yacht club. While a success musically, they were not successful financially and he turned his efforts back to his business. The time is now, however, and he has once again taken the clarinet out of its case and returned to his love... playing jazz. This CD is a result of his efforts. We hope you enjoy it Check out the artist's website: http://www.smsjazz.com Track List: 1. Pent Up House 2. If I Had You 3. Lamp Is Low 4. I Love You 5. Falling In Love With Love 6. Lover Man 7. Sonny Moon For Two 8. East Of The Sun,West Of The Moon 9. Bye, Bye Blackbird 10. Now Is The Time 11. You're My Everything 12. Out Of Nowhere 13. Autumn In New York 14. Yardbird Suite 15. Shadow Of Your Smile/Here's That Rainy Day 16. Days Of Wine And Roses 17. My Buddy/Someday My Prince Will Come 18. Indian Summer 19. Gone With The Wind Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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