Ronnie Greb
1938 - 2005
RG, c. 1955
"Ronnie was one of the the best drummers I ever played with...he was a funny, self-deprecating guy...but he was the real deal...he always made me laugh at gigs, and he always made me work and play better than I thought I could. Ron, you will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure to make your acquaintance." -Bobo
Ronnie & Bobo, October 2002 at Bill's Seafood, Westbrook, CT
WORLD OF MUSIC Count Basie, Miles Davis stand at head of fine class of jazz boxed sets
By George Varga - Copley News Service
Jack Teagarden, "The Complete Roulette Jack Teagarden Sessions" (Mosaic)
It's not often that a Mosaic Records release disappoints. Nor is it common for Jack Teagarden (1905-1964) to leave a listener shrugging his shoulders. But this four-CD, nearly 65-track collection does both.
Teagarden's Roulette recordings, made from 1959 through 1961, have never been considered important Teagarden. The great and highly influential trombone players, whose career began in the early 1920s, had suffered a series of illiness and was not in good shape musically when these sides were made.
A large portion of this collection was recorded live over a single night at a New York City club and, due to contractual and union rules, Teagarden was not allowed to sing. And that alone is a huge disappointment. But the Big T could still play and he's backed here by his working band of trumpeter Don Goldie, pianist Don Ewell, clarinetist Henry Cuesta, bassist Stan Puls, and Ronnie Greb or Barrett Deems on drums. This is not "special" material of the kind typically associated with a Moasic release, but it is Jack Teagarden and that alone is worth a listen.
(All releases on Mosaic Records are available by mail-order only: (203) 327-7111; 35 Melrose Place, Stamford, CT, 06902; info@mosaicrecords.com.)
Saturday, October 19th, 2002 - 7:30 PM
The one, the only, Ronnie Greb was the guest drummer at Bill's Seafood at 7:30 PM!...and Guess What? It was Ronnie's Birthday too!!!! Thanks to everyone who came down and helped celebrate this wonderful night of great jazz with one of the greatest jazz drummers!
Some of the folks Ronnie's played with:
