Four of Ohio's most versatile & accomplished jazz musicians unite on the BLU stage for an unparalleled live performance! Featuring Howie Smith, Bob Ferrazza, David Thomas, Bill Ransom.
Organ Ism, consisting of Howie Smith on saxophones, David Thomas on organ and Bill Ransom on drums/percussion, was formed in 2007. It was transformed into a quartet with the addition of guitarist Bob Ferrazza in 2011. Its repertoire includes original compositions by members of the group as well as new takes on popular songs by composer/performers of the past fifty years such as Janis Ian, John Lennon/Paul McCartney, Freddie Mercury, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, and Jimmy Webb.
Saxophonist/composer Howie Smith has worked with musicians, composers and ensembles as varied as Anthony Braxton, Gary Burton, Dizzy Gillespie, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Elvis Presley, John Cage, Pauline Oliveros, the Cleveland Orchestra and the Tone Road Ramblers. His recorded performances are equally diverse and his extensive catalogue of compositions includes works for conventional big bands and combos; for string, wind and percussion ensembles; for electronics; and for mixed media. Recordings of his work may be heard on the Philips, Polydor, Albany, Optimism and Sea Breeze labels. His most recent recording is Opal Dream, with famed keyboardist Mike Nock, on Open Blue (OBCD-1201).
Guitarist Bob Ferrazza has appeared regularly in jazz clubs and concert halls around the world with the likes of Donald Byrd, Joey DeFrancesco, Art Farmer, Slide Hamton, Billy Hart, J.J. Johnson, Joe Lovano, Jack McDuff and David “Fathead” Newman. His first recording as leader, Personal, was followed by The Way I Like It and Rare Beauty: Intimate Gems of Duke Ellington on Koch Records. All have all garnered enthusiastic reviews. Mr. Ferrazza is currently director of the Jazz Studies program at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
David Thomas, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, is a graduate of Case Western Reserve and Cleveland State University. He toured with Dizzy Gillespie, recorded with jazz saxophonist Phil Woods, and has performed with most of Cleveland’s finest jazz musicians. As an educator he has been an instructor at the Cleveland School of the Arts, Cuyahoga Community College, Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University. He is currently on the faculty at JFK High School.
Drummer and percussionist Bill Ransom is equally at home with classical, jazz, R&B and rock. He has toured and recorded with leading artists including Patrice Rushen, Beth Hart, Marion Meadows, Cecil Bridgewater, Diane Reeves, Mary Wilson, and James Newton. He spent much of the 90’s on the road with contemporary saxophonist Najee and R&B crooner Gerald LeVert, and his debut CD, Generations, was released nationwide in November 2005 on Bongo Time Records.
Join us as saxophonist Howie Smith, who the New York Times calls “an electrifying and versatile soloist,” leads this energetic group of all-star musicians in their return to BLU!