A MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE RESPONDS
MARC-PAUL BLOOME
10 East End Avenue,
New York NY 10021-1115
18 July, 1995
Director – WorldBeat Jazz Series
Guggenheim Museum
1071 Fifth Avenue
New York NY 10022
Dear Director,
Before I say anything, let me say thank you. Your WorldBeat Jazz series, one more time, gives me another good reason to continue to live in New York. It simply encapsulates what New York is all about. The Guggenheim – and its continuing ability to enrich the lives of New Yorkers and the world.
The very idea of such a program taking place in your space just seems right. It is as if the very concept of the Guggenheim has successfully reached out to another art form and made it its own.
And the musicians. Last Friday, we were fortunate to have heard Ramon Taranco and his group. In fact, we went back Saturday, the next night, to make sure that what we heard was really that superb. He is a master musician, and in his way, very much in the right company with the master painters and sculptors that you display. He is a true innovator, and, notwithstanding his Latin surname, he creates sound pictures far beyond that genre. From Mississippi shuffle blues to Blue Grass to Villa Lobos to Thelonius Monk and his own compositions, he exhibits a very rare span of musicianship. He is simply in the right place at the Guggenheim.
I might add that I studied music for more than a decade and fed myself through university playing the piano on the south side of Chicago. Not in his class, but my appreciation of his ability was met equally by some young Japanese visitors and a German couple sitting next to us.
Again, I commend you for your program and your choice. May I ask, why just in summer?
Very truly yours,
Marc-Paul Bloome
HOSPITAL AUDIENCES INC., Manhattan
HAI – Transforming Lives Through the Arts
Patty Reitkopf – Director, Performance Program
Hospital Audiences, Inc. (HAI)
548 Broadway, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10012
Tuesday May 22 2012
To whom it may concern,
As the director of HAI’s performance program, I have known Ramon Taranco since 1996. He has performed as a soloist as well as with various musical partners for (Hospital Audiences Inc.) HAI. Mr. Taranco has an excellent record of accomplishment – always receiving rave reviews from HAI audiences and facility staff. He was particularly good about adapting his repertoire to various situations – playing holiday music when required as well as rhythm and blues and jazz at Mardi Gras events.
Ramon Taranco is a reliable and professional artist who HAI program coordinators called upon to deliver a quality program. In my capacity as Director, I would recommend Mr. Taranco for programs needing talented, dependable artist who can respond to the requirement of a particular audience, especially those with special needs.
Patty Reitkopf
Director, Performance Program
HAI
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The following is feedback HAI received from an event coordinator at Bishop P. Hucles Nursing Home, Brooklyn NY; after a June 2011 concert by Ramon Taranco + His Havana Blues Revue:
The Ramon Taranco band was EXCELLENT.
It was a huge turn-out and all the residents LOVED him. Just about everyone was dancing, tapping feet and hands, and smiling. Plus he sang a lot of music that the residents knew and could sing along to.
Hands down, his band is the best entertainment I have seen so far. They were also really warm with the residents afterwards, wishing the men Happy Father’s Day and telling others what a joy it was to play for them.
JAZZ FESTIVAL DIRECTOR & instigator of Port Jefferson NY’s
“Artist-in-Residence” program - Ramon won the position
INTERNATIONAL ART OF JAZZ
5 Saywood Lane, Stony Brook, New York NY 11790-3103
516-474-2929
November 10, 1995
Mr. Ramon Taranco
207 West 85th Street, Apt. 305
New York, NY 10024
Dear Ramon
For the past six months, you and I have worked together in what I consider to be a most pleasant and productive collaboration involving program planning and performances.
You saw our non-traditional audience development project as a challenge, the concept of which you embraced fully. No one could possibly have been more cooperative or accessible than you, trekking back and forth on the Long Island Railroad from Manhattan to Port Jefferson in summer heat with never a complaint!
Your two performances for us were in sharp contrast to each other, yet you were equally at home and well-received in both – the outdoor concert opening the Village of Port Jefferson’s Harborside Festival and the private-home reception for Assemblyman Englebright.
As for the members of the planning committee, we congratulated ourselves on our good fortune to have found an artist who so perfectly met the very specific criteria we had established: charismatic, bilingual, articulate, and talented. It was a lot to ask for, but that shoe fits you.
I appreciate the thought you put into the project, the value of the suggestions you made, and the fact that you always kept in touch with me! Your communication instincts and skills are totally professional.
You are a talented professional who is a pleasure to work with. I hope you will feel free to use me as a reference. All good wishes, Ramon.
Sincerely,
Ann H. Sneed
Founder/Director
The following is a letter to Ann Sneed from New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright after hearing Ramon Taranco perform:
Dear Ann,
Thank you so much for attending my August 6th 1995 fundraiser and for your generous contribution on behalf of you and Clare Connaughton.
Thank you especially for bringing Ramon Taranco to play his guitar for us so beautifully that Sunday. His performance greatly enhanced our brunch, and the guests truly enjoyed hearing this fine musician play.
Sincerely,
Steve
[Politician Steven Englebright has been serving in the New York State Assembly since 1992. He formerly curated the Geologic collection at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, was founding director of the Museum of Long Island Natural Sciences and holds a Master’s degree in Paleontology and Sedimentology.]
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This letter is from the Mayor of Port Jefferson, Robert T. Strong:
October 19, 1995
Dear Ann:
If this letter is a little late I hope you and our friends at the Lila Wallace Reader’s Digest Fund will understand. A new Village administration and my own recent hospitalization are responsible. The Village of Port Jefferson remains your “arts partner”.
We were delighted that Ramon Taranco could perform with the IAJ Ensemble at the opening of our Harborside Music Festival on July 6th. I’m especially pleased to have had the opportunity to talk with him after the concert. Ramon is an excellent choice for our artist-in-residence-to-be.
It seems the planning months have gone by very quickly and now it is time to put the final touches on the project application.
If I can be of any further help just give me a call.
Sincerely,
Robert T. Strong
Mayor of Port Jefferson NY
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The following is Ann Sneed’s outline of the attributes they were looking for in the candidate they would select for Port Jefferson’s Artist-in-Residence. As Ramon Taranco was granted the position, this letter says a lot about Ramon:
INTERNATIONAL ART OF JAZZ
5 Saywood Lane, Stony Brook, New York NY 11790-3103
(516) 474-2929
March 8 1994
Dear Russ,
IAJ has received a planning grant from the Lila Wallace – Reader’s Digest Arts Partners Program. It is an audience-development project devised around an artist-in-residence who will serve as both a planner and implementer.
It is a demanding and challenging opportunity for the right artist, one that offers a rewarding break for the performer who needs, perhaps, some restorative time for him/herself.
We are looking for a “Pied Piper,” a very special person who will embrace the project and this diverse community. For that reason, we have chosen to communicate our search through those best qualified to identify qualified artists who might be intrigued by such a non-traditional venture.
Please feel free to copy and circulate the following as you deem appropriate:
ARTS SEARCH
Long Island arts partnership seeks artist-in-residence candidates for 12-month multicultural, audience-development project. Candidates must 1) be professional performing musicians; 2) have charisma and strong communication skills; 3) be willing and able to relocate to Port Jefferson area; 4) be able to assist in development of music program for area residents. Bilingual (English/Spanish) desirable.
Thanks very much; we’re grateful for your help!
Ann H. Sneed
Executive Director
International Art of Jazz, Inc.
ALAN GUETTEL
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation / Société Radio-Canada
Music Producer, CBC Radio
354 Jarvis St., Toronto ON
11/02/87
To whom it may concern:
I have known Ramon Taranco and his music for a number of years – especially in my former capacity as music producer of CBC Radio’s “Morningside.”
He is a talented player of popular and classical guitar styles. As well, the versatility of his playing, and [knowledge] of the guitar itself, has led him to a genuine understanding of a wide range of music.
Ramon is comfortable with jazz, classical, pop and blues – as well as the Afro, Latin American and folk musics that are the sources of today’s pop music.
All of this is relevant to any recording project he may undertake. As an independent producer as well myself, I know how this sort of versatility and breadth of understanding in a musician makes it easier to accomplish even the routine musical tasks – like selecting synthesized sounds or rhythmic figures for a particular production. And it is essential in establishing the big picture and the direction of a recording project.
The applicant’s music will appeal to a mature audience – people who appreciate musicality and skillful playing, as well as good songs.
If this project is well funded enough that all of Ramon Taranco’s talents can be used, I’m sure that there is a place – possibly several places – for his work in the record business.
Sincerely,
Alan Guettel
Peter Donato
SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT INC.
544 Richmond Street West
Toronto ON M5V 1Y4
July 7, 1994
To whom it may concern:
I have known Ramon Taranco for over fifteen years. As a musician he is truly gifted. I have had the good fortune during that time to both work with Mr. Taranco and to enjoy his music.
As a professional musician and a producer of musical events (Southern Comfort Blues Festival, Songwriting workshops, electronic music seminars), I speak with some authority and knowledge of the music industry and in my professional opinion would rank Mr. Taranco as a first class guitarist and certainly one of the more talented artists to have crossed my path.
In dealings with Mr. Taranco I have always found him to be highly professional and disciplined both as an artist and as a person.
I have no hesitation in recommending him to you as a significant artist.
Should you require any further information about Mr. Taranco, I would be pleased to have you call me at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Peter Donato
Partner, Special Assignment Inc.
November 10, 1987
To whom it may concern:
I have heard a number of Ramon Taranco’s compositions, both popular and light classical, and believe he has a talent worth nurturing.
He deserves support to establish a career which, I believe, might bring a new musical flavouring to our culture.
Yours truly,
Peter Goddard
Guitar Lessons in Vaughan With Teacher Ramon Taranco. Ramon is a master in classical, blues, jazz, and worldbeat music, as well as an accomplished composer, and performer. Enjoy private lessons from the best using his unique eclectic approach that will help you learn to play in many different styles of music.
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