BN-LA-250-G

Ronnie Foster - Live At Montreux

Released - 1974

Recording and Session Information

"Montreux Jazz Festival", "Casino De Montreux", Switzerland, July 5, 1973
Ronnie Foster, organ; Gregory Miller, guitar; Marvin Chappell, drums.

14100 East Of Ginger Trees
14101 Chunky
14102 Boogie Juice
14103 Sameness

Track Listing

Side One
Title	Author	Recording Date
East Of Ginger Trees	Seals-Crofts	July 5 1973
Chunky	Ronnie Foster	July 5 1973
Side Two
Boogie Juice	Ronnie Foster	July 5 1973
Sameness	Ronnie Foster	July 5 1973

Liner Notes

It is the evening of July 3, 1973. The orange-colored auditorium, layered with billows of smoke is filled to capacity with nameless faces; crowded under the semi-angled ceiling to hear and see the Blue Note Records presentation of Jazz music. The city of Montreux, Switzerland, set beneath the mountains and bordering the Rhone River overlooks valleys of densely populated terrain. Distant glances into an unclouded sky reveal the country of France.

It is a gala event. Television dollies slowly make their way towards the unmanned stage. Reporters and cameramen whisper in their native tongues. The sun has set, and the evening Sights of Montreux gently cast rays upon the musical mecca. The audience will soon be "Cookin' with Blue Note" at the 1973 Montreux Jazz Festival.

The B-3 Hammond organ is not properly adjusted. The amplitude of the organ must be attuned to the acoustics of the hall. For Ronnie Foster, born Buffalo, New York, 1950, this debut performance at Montreux is important. Important in light of his stature as a Jazz artist. Professionally, his first big break was in 1972 when Ronnie was signed to Blue Note Records by George Butler, Director of the Label. Gigging off and on with Grant Green, Stanley Turrentine, and George Benson, Ronnie decided to form his own group and work the club circuit throughout the United States. He has recorded two albums, "Two Headed Freep" and "Sweet Revival."

Ronnie Foster is the next generation of greats that are happening today. His dedication to the organ is evident for his self-taught approach to the organ is realized through his individual technique and styling. His music is young and energized as in the composition, "East of Ginger Trees." He successfully extrapolates jazz riffs from conventional song-form. In the tune "Chunky" the drummer's single stroke roll on the high-hat creates energy behind the lush vibrations of the Hammond, as if the train is speeding down the track, or the sprinter is rounding the bend.

Ronnie's affinity for incorporating rhythm 'n' blues in the tune "Boogie Juice" unearths the happy marriage of jazz and soul. The adroit manner in which the synthesizer is adapted in his performance never becomes offensive to the jazz ears of Montreux. "Sameness," a richly rewarding original, emits fierce notes of rage and holocaust. The trio then breaks into a free-form interplay between the melody line and the improvisation of the organ. Throughout, the guitar of Gregory Miller picks delicate, balanced chord runs that compliment Foster's musical adventure.

It is obvious that Ronnie Foster's debut performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival will one day be a collector's item. for this is only the beginning. He will be playing to capacity crowds for years to come. Sample what's happening in Jazz Music today.

TAKE THIS MUSICAL RIDE TO MONTREUX
Jere Hausfater - Blue Note Records