Pianist/clarinetist/composer/arranger Tom Ranier is one of Southern California’s top jazz improvisers, a musician both technically resplendent and emotionally open. He reveals a more personal style at the keyboard that reflects Oscar Peterson’s brilliance and bluesiness, Chick corea’s intricate and beautiful melodies and Bill Evans’s chordal brilliance. He is a talented composer and arranger with a wide orchestral repertoire and a keen understanding of harmony and melody. He is also a master of the alto, tenor and clarinet saxophones. Ranier is one of the best-kept jazz secrets, despite his performances with clarinetist Buddy DeFranco and vibist Terry Gibbs. The Still of the Night is Ranier’s Contemporary debut album and his first album as an artist leader in more than 15 years. Ranier’s collection is extremely musical and easily listened to, which should help him gain both airplay and more recognition for his many talents. The Still of the Night features a trio of piano-bass-drums players in the company of a string- and woodwind orchestra. Ranier plays the magnificent piano, as well as a remarkably adept clarinet and alto sax, on two selections. He is accompanied by Chuck Berghofer and Abraham Laboriel, along with Harvey Mason and Paul Kreibich, who are both excellent drummers. Ranier composed five of the 11 compositions. The subtle and dynamic arrangements are also Ranier’s. The recording is the culmination of a dream project that Ranier had been waiting for. Ranier says, “I wanted something that would reflect a lot different influences that I love,” and names Evans, Corea, Peterson, and Evans as his first piano players. Ranier mentioned such composer-arrangers for the orchestral writing as Michel Legrand, the famed composer of film soundtracks, Nelson Riddle (who wrote many great charts for Frank Sinatra), and Eddie Sauter (creator of the orchestra on Stan Getz’s classic album Focus). Ranier, who was a high school student and later at Cal State Fullerton, says that the orchestra attracted him early on. Charlie Parker with strings was one of my first favorites. I loved the way he glided above the orchestra. That feeling was what I wanted to capture. I wanted the orchestra to interact with the trio at times. Other times, it should be in the background.” These 11 songs offer a wide range of moods that are pleasing to the ears. Ranier’s “July”, “Excuse Me”, and Cole Porter’s title song have a delightful modern twist. Ranier notes that “July”, has a touch of Miles Davis influence. “Excuse Me,” is harmonically similar to “What Is This Thing Called Love”, but Ranier states that “we really do depart from that.” Ranier also improvises the contrapuntal lines for “In the Still of the Night”. He says, “This tune is where I tried to incorporate some of the more abstract written.” Many of the tunes, including “How Deep Is the Ocean?” as well as “You Must Believe in Spring”, were simply played because the leader was so captivated by the melodies. He also liked his own ballad, “An Hour from Your Heart”, which is similar to the lovely one he wrote. He says that “Nights and Promise” was an attempt to “be melodyc,” as well as the samba-esque, “Teach Me Your Paths.” Both of these songs succeed on all counts. Personal touches are added to “Where or When”, “Memories of You,” “Summer Me, Winter Me” and “Memories of You”. Ranier performed “Where or When” on dance jobs as a pianist with his father, a clarinetist and saxophonist. “Memories,” a popular number by Benny Goodman, was also performed. Ranier was inspired by a Buddy DeFranco version of Legrand’s “Summer Me”. Here, he plays the sprightly clarinet (as on “Memories”) and orchestrates a solo DeFranco recorded. He then exchanges phrases with himself on piano via overdubs. This is a spectacular performance. Ranier was exhilarated at the support of his fellow performers. He says, “Chuck and Paul were supportive. Harvey and Abe were very creative and innovative.” According to the leader, the album was exactly what he wanted. He says, “It’s exactly where I am now. It’s a culmination of my influences. and experiences.” Ranier was born in Chicago, July 13, 1949. Ranier moved with his family from Chicago to Garden Grove in Southern California’s Orange County. At six or seven years old, he recalls being captivated by the records of clarinetist Goodman. At the age of ten, he began studying classical piano and then took up clarinet. Ranier began playing piano at age ten, studying the classical method, then he added clarinet at age 12.
