Ardent Marigolds

The eagerly anticipated album by composers Jonathan Ragonese and Steve Rudolph is titled quot;Ardent Marigoldsquot;. It features a collection of duets with Jonathan playing tenor and soprano saxophones and Steve playing a Steinway Concert Grand. The compositions consist of seven originals and three unique interpretations of standards that are delivered as jazz art songs. The project was recorded before live audiences over the course of two days this past June 2013 at the Rose Lehrman Arts Center in Harrisburg, PA in performances that served as a benefit for the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz. It was recorded on location by renowned engineer Jon Rosenberg, produced by Jeff Lynch and mastered at Sterling Sound in New York City by the legendary Greg Calbi.. Jeff explains the origin of the project, quot;Jonathan was about to graduate with his masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music and was already seeing performance opportunities internationally. We felt there was a need to document this unique musical relationship before Jonathan became involved in so many other opportunities.quot; It all began a dozen years ago, when pianist Steve Rudolph got an email from a student musician in his early teens. 'Mr. Rudolph' the email went 'I'm ready to play with you'. Thus began a musical relationship that has informed each other's work - both are better for the experience. Steve, an Indiana native, arrived in Central PA in 1978 with a three month contract to perform at the Holiday Inn Town in Harrisburg. That job lasted two years and he remained in Harrisburg, founding the Central PA Friends of Jazz and helping to keep the music alive in our region. He has performed worldwide with many jazz legends including Al Grey, Buddy Morrow, Louie Bellson, Mark Murphy, and Clark Terry. Steve has recorded 10 CDs as a leader and performed as a sideman, arranger and producer on many more. He is a Yamaha Keyboard Artist and was the recipient of the Harrisburg Arts Award and several grants for composition from the PA Council on the Arts. Jonathan, now 24, plans on pursuing his interest in music education, particularly for young people, and continuing to make music, whether composing, arranging or performing. Like his mentor before him, Jonathan finds himself sharing the stage with internationally renowned artists like Dave Liebman as well as the best of the new generation of players. His quot;Ad Hocquot; trio features pianist Christian Sands, currently touring with bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Mark Whitfield, Jr, who tours with Kenny Garrett. As an arranger, Jonathan has completed orchestral works for saxophone giants Steve Wilson and Tim Warfield, Jr. Unlike most gifted young players who depart for a prestigious music school, Jonathan was determined not to release a recording under his name until he finished his education. With his Masters in Composition from the Manhattan School of Music now in hand quot;Ardent Marigoldsquot; serves as his recording debut, as well as a tribute to the Central Pennsylvania musical community that fostered this unique musical relationship. Released on PACT Records (PACT 6424), this recording was made possible by a generous grant from the Lois Lehrman Grass Foundation ARDENT MARIGOLDS, PACT 6424 Jonathan Ragonese and Steve Rudolph Track Listing 1. quot;D'Earth, D'Moon and D'Starsquot; a Steve Rudolph original. 2. quot;The Peacocksquot; - a gorgeous interpretation of this Jimmy Rowles classic. 3. quot;A Carole for Milesquot; - a Steve Rudolph composition written for th