Bman's Blues Report

ALBUM REVIEW Ron Vincent - Ray's Hat Trick Label: Origin Records Released: October 23, 2026 DR: TBD R on 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 ...

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, About Time , from John Clay and it's a cool slice of classic jazz. Opening with Fred Hersch 's A Lark , Shunzo Ohno on trumpet and Matt Garrison on sax set the intro feeding to a playful melody by Enrique Haneine on piano. Sean Conly on bass really delivers on acoustic bass accompanied by Haneine and John Clay on drums. Very cool opener. Ruby Pucillo shows strong vocal work on Bob Hilliard's Alice In Wonderland . Set in 3/4 with Haneine, Conly and Clay anchoring, this really is a great showcase for Pucillo. Haneine takes a super stretch on piano and Conly's bass work is superb. Billy Drummond 's Dubai is my favorite track on the release with dramatic lead work by Ohno and Garrison. Clay has just the right hand on drums giving Garrison a solid platform for his coolest sax solo on the release, Ohno's muted trumpet solo pressed by Haneine and Clay is really strong and Haneine hits gold on his pi...