Ron Vincent - Ray's Hat Trick - Album review
ALBUM REVIEW
Ron Vincent - Ray's Hat Trick
Ron Vincent is a seasoned veteran of the New York jazz scene, widely respected for his smooth feel and tasteful control behind the kit. A Rhode Island native, he started carving out his musical path at the Berklee College of Music back in the early seventies. After graduating, he hit the highway to pay his dues across the country, spending a few formative years gigging around Kansas City before making the definitive move to New York in 1982. He quickly became a go-to sideman in the city's competitive club circuit, eventually tracking on roughly one hundred records alongside jazz royalty like Phil Woods, Lee Konitz, and Art Farmer.
Vincent’s profile jumped to the next level in 1989 when he locked down the drum chair for the legendary baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan. He spent seven years anchoring both Mulligan's Quartet and the Re-Birth of the Cool Tentet, keeping that tight musical partnership rolling until Mulligan passed away in 1996. When he isn't touring or playing, Vincent is big on passing the torch to the next generation. He runs masterclasses at universities across the states and teaches percussion on the faculty at Manhattanville College. Now, he’s expanding his legacy by stepping right into the spotlight as a composer and arranger, marking a fresh chapter as a bandleader..
Opening with Duke Ellington’s Angelica, Dave Brandom on alto sax, Tim Armacost on tenor sax and Matt Garrison on tenor sax set the stage with a warm melody underpinned by Ron Vincent on drums and Bill Mays on piano. With a swinging Latin beat, Garrison steps out with a super sax solo followed by the mastery of Mays on piano and Steve Cardenas rolls in on guitar with clean, warm guitar runs. Solid opener. On title track, Ray's Hat Trick, Armacost lead on bass clarinet with it's deep throaty sound. Matt Garrison on soprano saxophone fleshes out the melody with an intermediate solo of his own before passing to Brandom on alto. Cardenas hits the road running with really nice guitar phrasing and Dan Johnson and Vincent create a great swaying groove.
Bill Mays' ballad Still Life has a very delicate texture, almost orchestral in composition with Armacost on the bottom again with his bass clarinet and really beautiful piano work by Mays. Dave Brandom joins with a wispy flute solo that floats gently over Armacost on clarinet, and Cardenas' guitar work borders on classical. Very nice. Cardenas has center stage on his own composition, New Moon with quiet guitar expressions and fluid piano soling by Mays.
Shuffle, Mike, has a cool easy feel with Cardenas and Brandom on flute leading the way on melody. This really is a nice track and Brandom really has a chance to spread his wings on flute, followed by a meaty bass solo by Johnson. Mays picks up the baton, leading on piano with plenty of swagger and joined back with the full boat... Armacost on bass clarinet, Garrison on tenor and Vincent on drums. Strong track.
Wrapping the release is Wee, and Vincent opens with a crisp drum solo feeding the groove to Cardenas who gives it wings. A brisk yet thoughtful piano solo by Mays and passed man to man through Brandom, Armacost and Garrison. Vincent takes back the reins for a late session workout before the final blowout with Brandom, Armacost and Garrison. Strong closer.
📋 Album Credits & Production Info Toggle Display
- Album Title Ray's Hat Trick
- Artist Ron Vincent
- Record Label Origin Records
- Release Date October 23, 2026
- Personnel Ron Vincent (Drummer / Bandleader), Bill Mays (Piano), Dean Johnson (Bass), Steve Cardenas (Guitar), Dave Brandom (Woodwinds), Tim Armacost (Woodwinds), Matt Garrison (Woodwinds)
- Studio Production Produced by Ron Vincent; Recorded and mixed by Chris Sulit at Trading 8s (Paramus, NJ); Mastered by Michael MacDonald at AlgoRhythms Mastering.
🎼 Track Listing & Personnel Toggle Display
Featured Personnel & Masters: Bill Mays, Dean Johnson, Steve Cardenas, Dave Brandom, Tim Armacost, Matt Garrison, and Ron Vincent.
- Angelica
- Dear Old Stockholm
- Ray's Hat Trick
- Pick Yourself Up
- Still Life
- Is That So
- New Moon
- Restitution
- I Hear You
- Mike
- Wee
📺 Session Video Performance Toggle Display
Watch: Ron Vincent play live sessions from Ray's Hat Trick
🎵 Discography & Purchase Options Toggle Display
| Album Title | Record Label | Accreditation | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ray's Hat Trick | Origin Records | Debut Album as a Bandleader | 2026 |
My take
This record does a fantastic job of balancing breezy, swinging grooves with delicate, deeply textured melodies. The whole group locks in beautifully, shifting gears effortlessly to give each track plenty of room to breathe and evolve.
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