publicity#1 w copyright

TOM RANIER

Early Career

After college, Tom played with various local jazz groups. He recorded with vibraphonist Dave Pike and Rod McKuen and toured with Carmen McRae, Joey Bishop, Helen Reddy, and Donna Summer.
After leaving the road in 1978, Tom returned to Disneyland and stayed until 1985. He recorded with Milt Jackson and Ray Brown and worked with a variety of jazz artists. It was during this period, that Tom began to work in the LA studios as a keyboardist.

Albums & Studio Work

In 1981, Tom, John Heard, and Sherman Ferguson formed the trio Heard, Ranier, Ferguson. The group produced an eponymous album in 1982.
In 1975, Tom recorded his first solo album, “Ranier,” featuring Frank Rosolino and, in 1979, he recorded his second album, “Night Music.”
Tom became a full-time studio player in 1985. He has worked on television shows such as “Moonlighting,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Star Trek: Enterprise,” and “Family Guy,” and on films, including “Forest Gump,” “Ted,” and “Frozen.” He recorded and toured with Barbra Streisand for her millennium concert series and is frequently a member of the Academy Awards orchestra.
Throughout his studio career, Tom has continued to play and record jazz. In 1997, he recorded his third album, “In the Still of the Night.” Tom was part of the trio 3prime, featuring Peter Donald on drums and Abraham Laboriel on bass. 3prime produced one album, “Live at Rocco’s,” in 2001.
From 2005 to 2013, Tom was a keyboardist and an arranger for the television show, “Dancing with the Stars.” He has been a full-time member of the orchestra for “The Simpsons” since 2011.
For information, contact:
info@tomranier.com

Our very first CalJAS performer, Ron Eschete has been with us since 2004.

 Shortly after leaving Loyola University, Ron was tapped to tour with Buddy Greco. While on tour with Greco, Escheté set his sites on the Los Angeles music scene. In 1970 Escheté relocated to California, working and recording with vibist Dave Pike. In 1975 he joined forces with pianist Gene Harris and quickly establish his reputation as a premier accompanist. Over the decades Escheté has worked with the greatest artists in jazz including: Ella Fitzgerald; Sarah Vaughn; Diana Krall; Dizzy Gillespie; Milt Jackson; Ray Brown and many more.

Escheté has appeared on the Tonight Show with Diana Krall, the Merv Griffin Show with the Mort Lindsey Orchestra, and the Mike Douglas Show with Buddy Greco. He has played nearly every notable jazz venue in the southern California including the Catalina Bar and Grill, The Jazz Bakery, Steamers, Donté’s, Carmelo’s, The Parisian Room and The Lighthouse to name only a few. He has toured extensively playing clubs from New York to San Francisco

Good friend and House Concert Host Luther Hughes has been one of the most active L.A. bassists for many years. His resume of recordings and performers is endless, including his years with Gene Harris, and perhaps more notably, Nancy Wilson. Luther’s work as a jazz and bass educator is developing some of the best young artists throughout the region.  www.lutherhughes.com

Guest vocalist and host, Becky Hughes along with CalJAS President Dale Boatman, will be featured on selected vocals.

For Reservations and event information go to COMING EVENTS/CalJAS PRESENTS