If I have a jazz gig, a piano trio or quartet, some of my favorite bass players to call are Andrew Simmons, Chuck Kisler, Ev Stern, Doug Miller, Larry Halloway, Jeff Cook, Tom Anastasio, Jeff Johnson, and I'm sure I've forgotten a few.
For drums, first on the list are guys like D'vonne Lewis, Scott Mercado, Grant Wilson, Jeremy Jones, Cary Stevens, Mike Bajuk, Jud Sherwood, and all those others.
Sometimes I get calls for quartets or larger groups and the first guy I call is my brother Travis Ranney who is well known in the musician world as being one of the top sax guys around. If he can't make it there are a handful of other people I'd call, but this rarely happens because I usually can sell the trio gig. Who needs a horn when a trio can give you more?
Influences
Walking down a sunset boardwalk with a beer in one hand and a bottle of mezcal in the other.
A little it of this, a little bit of that, don't eat too much or you'll be a big, fat, cat.
Sounds Like
Well, if I'm playing jazz piano, it sounds like me playing jazz piano. If I'm playing Mozart piano, it sounds like me playing Mozart piano. Same with funk, reggae, and everything else piano.
I guess it just sounds like me playing music.
Music for me is based on rhythm first, melody second, harmony third. More music can come out of one note being played rhythmically than can come out of a symphony orchestra losing time. A lonely melody (Rite of Spring, anyone?) can be the most poignant voice in a piece of music, yet played in a haphazard way, rhythmically, it would lose everything. As will a good harmony. If the melody isn't played with harmony in mind, whether you're reading music or improvising, then both rhythm and melody might be wasted.
Success is through finding balance, not only in music, but in everything.
I look at the piano like a chromatic percussion instrument, but one that is sensitive enough to evoke any emotion so that something soft and sweet is just as powerful as a ten minute double time reggae funk jam with a band.
I play solo piano and put together groups for any kind of event from Vancouver, B.C. down to Portland, Oregon. Go to http://www.scotranney.com for more information or to contact me about availability.
I'm a pizza fanatic, it's almost a religion, definitely a way of life. I'm all about the simple pleasures. Pizza in the morning.
Sometimes you just have to take a dandelion break. In the meadow or in a crack of a sidewalk, sometimes that's just what you have to do.
We sought it with thimbles, we sought it with care;
We pursued it with forks and hope;
We threatened it's life with a railroad share;
We charmed it with smiles and soap.
I don't really like poetry, unless it's kind of dirty and has clever rhymes, those kind are almost always fun.
"But what really worried me was the ether. There is nothing in this world more helpless and irresponsible... and depraved than a man in the depths of an ether binge. And I knew we'd get into that rotten stuff pretty soon. Probably at the next gas station."
In addition to all those things that keep my tendrils of curiosity waving crazily like a giant worm covered Medusa head, I enjoy music, playing it, writing it, listening to it.
I'm pretty sure music is a verb.
I play music for all kinds of reasons and enjoy solo piano as much as playing with a group. The music is fun and full of life, with just as many unanswered questions and unplanned adventures.
Great Tracks & PianoTouch Here ! I Love ! Thank you for have answered to my invitation. Welcome in my « FriendshipSpace ». it’s a Pleasure to have you among my Friends. All the Best Stay in touch
Thanks for the add!! It’s great to have you on our friends list. We have several public gigs coming together here in the next few weeks. The next one on the calendar is Saturday, February 28th at The Longhorn Saloon, 5754 Cains Court, right in the middle of downtown Edison. I so hope you can come and bring some friends. It will be a rockin’ dance party starting at 9:00!!
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Hey Scot Ranney!
I think you are one of my HOTTEST FRIENDS, so I nominated you for my Hot Friends list. But are you really HOT enough to be on Hotties for Sale? Find out!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Brother's Cooley-- blues/rock from Cali, Snug Harbor-- Funk/jazz/reggae from Bellingham. Together, will be a great musical force. If you saw our last show you will understand. Hope to see you there, come say hi! much love and respect to you
Thanks for adding me. I love "What Child is This" - beautiful playing. I actually don't use this site much - please visit my 'regular' one: www. myspace. com/heidimccurdy Cheers!
Hola Scott, Thanks for the add. Cool to hear from you. Hope you are doing good and that music is still lighting up your heart as i know your music lights up other. Take Care. SabrinaG. Amor y Paz
Hey, Scot, thanks for the "add" request. Hope you enjoyed my songs. Had some real fun listening to the tunes on your page - happy, dancy, "ambient" in a very comfortable, energetic way. Liked it. Yeah .., stop by for another visit and leave a comment if you wish. Best regards, Ken
