Monica Ramey and the Beegie Adair Trio

"The pairing of Beegie and Monica is a master class on how to interpret timeless songs with style, taste and a swinging contemporary sensibility. This recording delights me!" - Michael Feinstein Ladies Day: Monica Ramey and the Beegie Adair Trio: "I am terrible at this sort of thing, but the title of this piece is intended as a play-on-words involving Lester Young’s nickname for the legendary Jazz vocalist, Billie Holiday. Lester, himself an iconic tenor saxophonist, called Billie “Lady Day” and she called him “The President” which was later shortened to “Prez.” His sound on tenor sax blended so well with Billie’s sultry voice that they became forever associated with one another in the minds of many Jazz fans. Given how well vocalist Monica Ramey works with pianist Beegie Adair, the allusion to Billie Holiday immediately came to mind and was reinforced by the fact that Monica and Beegie are both ladies. But enough about my poor attempts at word play, let’s turn our attention to Monica and Beegie. Like Prez and Lady Day, Monica and Beegie were made for each other. Simple as that. The interplay between Monica’s song stylings and Beegie’s piano accompaniment is beautiful to behold. They fit together: nothing strained or exaggerated. The music just flows between them. And although they make it sound so effortless, what they do together and how well they do it is really rare and very special." - Steven Cerra, Jazz Profiles "Anthony Wilson says this thrush can warble and Adair went so far as to start a record label to release her, so I’m tempted not to even listen to it and just tell you it’s a winner. Not sporting? Oh, alright, I’ll be back in an hour. Tick tick tick tick. Back again. I win. How does so much cool, mainstream jazz come out of Nashville? Pairing an mainstream jazz trio that’s proud of being mainstream and a vocalist who knows how to deliver in service to the song yields a classic feeling jazz vocal record with no dust on it... Abashedly accessible from all the participants, this is a great gateway drug for potential jazzbos too intimidated by the jazz police and unable to know which Coltrane and Miles to jump in with. Well done throughout." -Chris Spector, Midwest Record "When you combine sophistication, musical royalty and a fresh approach to the Great American Songbook, you get "Monica Ramey with the Beegie Adair Trio". This new CD is a wonderful blend of classic songs, beautiful arrangements and world class musicianship. Monica's exquisite vocal performance with Beegie's elegant piano style is a match made in heaven." - Lori Mechem (jazz pianist & co-founder of the Nashville Jazz Workshop) Ramey’s sophomore album (Adair Music Group) accentuates the musical chemistry of one of the world’s most successful jazz trios (Beegie Adair, piano; Roger Spencer, bass; Chris Brown, drums) with her voice elegantly adding lush, lyrical sophistication to the musical conversation. Produced by Adair and Spencer, the album also features jazz masters George Tidwell and Denis Solee, on several tracks. The result is a collection of some of jazz’s most venerated songs, as well as the introduction of an original tune, co-written by Adair and pianist Lori Mechem. “The album is special because I learned these songs listening to the trio, live, over the years.” says Ramey. “I adore the trio’s signature interpretations of standards, as well as many tunes that are more obscure to even the truest jazz fan. It’s a pleasure to share them with the audience and to be in such incomparable company”. “Producing this project with Roger was a joy” says Adair. “I’m extremely proud of this album and I think the trio’s fans will enjoy it as well. Monica’s growing fan base will surely love it. She really knocked it out of the park!” This special project features a ‘production A-Team’, including producers Roger Spencer and Beegie Adair, Sandra Dudley producing Ms. Ramey’s vocals, engineering by Brendan Harkin, Tom Knox, Lauren Vessio and Roger Spencer, liner notes by guitarist Anthony Wilson, art by Brian Parker and photography by Jeff Coffin. 'Monica Ramey And The Beegie Adair Trio' is an Adair Music Group release.