Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Mich: Ramo

Mich: Ramo

By Jim Santella
April 15, 2005
View read count

Born in the Italian Mediterranean fishing town of Mazara del Vallo on the west coast of Sicily, guitarist Mick Ramo learned to play music from his earliest childhood years. By age thirteen, he had entered the music conservatory, where he studied violin. Professional engagements with the Italian State Symphony Opera House followed. Then he met jazz. Today, he calls the US home and immerses himself in all kinds of jazz performance activities that employ both his violin and his guitars.

Ramo finds the artist alone with his six- and seven-string guitars, interpreting familiar songs and originals. Dedications to Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Jack Wilkins, Laurindo Almeida, Baden Powell, and Charlie Byrd flow gently and with heartfelt passion.

"Lush Life" demonstrates Ramo's love for passionate melody. He expresses the tune's lovely theme proudly and with clearly defined articulation. He's equally at home interpreting ballads, blues, early swing, and Brazilian themes. The guitarist's "Brazilian Dream" makes a stirring impression as its classical guitar texture blends with blues and jazz in an improvised spate of emotion. Ramos bends notes, scrapes, and chords with the technique of a vocal choir. In his hands, the guitar lights up like a symphony orchestra.

Visit Mick Ramos on the web for audio samples and more.

Track Listing

Manha de Carnaval; A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That; Stella by Starlight; Mosaic Moods; Song for My Friend; December Flower; Lady of My Life; Lush Life; Songo Brasileiro (Brazilian Dream); Dicitencellu Vuie; Lauriniana; Talk of the Waves.

Personnel

Michele Ramo

guitar, 8-string

Mich

Album information

Title: Ramo | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Moonboat Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Mandarin Movie
< Previous

Suite Unseen: Summoner of the Ghost
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.