Jazz guitarist Rick Stone is yet another player on the New York and international jazz scenes with Cleveland roots. Born and raised in Parma (Valley Forge Class of ’74), Stone played in a bunch of rock bands in high school before discovering jazz at shows at the old Smiling Dog Saloon on West 25th Street.
Stone lives in Brooklyn, New York; teaches jazz guitar at several NYC colleges; tours extensively, he just completed a month in Europe; and returns to Cleveland each summer to do a show at Nighttown for family, friends, and fans.
His two set show at Nighttown last Sunday was very enjoyable. It was a nice mix of jazz standards and original material. Backed by drums and bass, Stone did a great job on Irving Berlin’s “the Best Thing for You is Me,” Jimmy Van Huesen’s “Dance that Dream,” and Ornette Coleman’s “When Will the Blues Leave.”
His original material as just as varied with titles like “Key Lime Pie,” “Stella by Starlight,” and “Nachos Mama’s Blues.” He played several pieces from his current album “Factels,” including the title song, which had a little bit of B.B. King to it. Besides the king of the blues, other obvious influences for Stone include George Benson and Chet Atkins. It was a very enjoyable night of music and story telling, as Stone gave a little background on each of the songs played.
For more about Rick Stone and his music visit www.rickstone.com. For more about Nighttown and all the great things they have going on there go to www.clevelandnighttown.com.
