Ronald Naldi by Jean Bredin, Blogfinger staff. 7/17/22© Ocean Grove, NJ.
Ronald Naldi shares a laugh with pianist Sean Gough regarding tempo.
Here is Ronald Naldi sneaking to second base to sing a classic pop tune with pianist Sean Gough: “That Old Black Magic.”
And here is Ronald Naldi performing a beautiful song called “Blackberry Winter “accompanied by Sean Gough.
Dear Ronald:
Thank you for a beautiful concert today in the Bishop Janes Tabernacle. The program was varied, wonderful, and fun. And your pianist Sean Gough was excellent and we have seen him perform with you before in Ocean Grove.
Shelly Brown told me that she watched Sean closely, and she observed that his playing has gotten “deeper” and quite amazing.
I watched you on stage today and I couldn’t help but imagine myself as Martin Scorcese: You on the stage of the fabulous Metropolitan Opera House with all its magnificence and then the camera moves back and you are transformed onto the modest stage at the Bishop Janes. Yet somehow, as the scene shifts to and fro, you stay the same—your marvelous voice, the intensity of your presentation, your sense of humor, and your interactions with Sean and with the audience.
I especially enjoyed the jazz moments with Sean brilliantly feeling the music of Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder and Miles Davis. And you, so versatile, as you performed “Old Devil Moon” and “That Old Black Magic.”
One of your selections especially got my attention: It was “Blackberry Winter.” I had only heard it performed before by Marian McPartland on jazz piano. That is a favorite of mine.
Eileen obtained a video, and surprisingly the quality was pretty good, despite her dodging moving heads, although not like what you are used to in New York. The acoustics in the Bishop Janes were good.
You told the audience that you arrived in Ocean Grove at the same time as Gordon Turk, 49 years ago, and so this could be the start of something big.
Paul. Blogfinger.net
The Songs on a Summer Afternoon will continue on July 24, July 31, August 7, and August 14. Check ocean grove.org/songs for more details.