James Ranka and Friends: Home
Welcome!...to our Smooth Jazz website.
If you are a regular visitor, you will have noticed major changes in our look and content...but first, PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS SITE RIGHT NOW!
Why?
Because we want you to know the early 2006 release of James Ranka and Friends' new CD entitled "MaynStreet Colors" is coming SOON!
Fresh; all original, "MaynStreet Colors" blends James Ranka's Smooth Jazz piano/keyboard signature sound with the energetic, inspired, jazz chops of Canadian drummer, Nigel "MaynStreet" Maynard...add David Chionsini's incredible sax mastery and composing, Aaron Stanley's bass and the recipe for a delicious Smooth Jazz CD is nearly ready for the serving.
Get ready to be inspired, energized and 'jazzed' about "MaynStreet Colors".
Our debut CD, "God Is Cool" continues to do well - THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!
We've included several samples from this CD - simply choose the quality you want: Obviously, broadband hi-quality sounds MUCH better than the modem variety.
HOW TO ORDER A CD OR A DOWNLOAD
Click Here to go to CDBaby.Com
EVERY song on the "God Is Cool" CD is also offered as a download at EVERY international, major download site. For example,
Click Here to go to iTunes.Com
"CHRISTIAN JAZZ"
Christian Jazz cannot be defined: I defy anyone to do so. Taking a reverse course makes better sense - that is, Christian Jazz is Jazz (fusion, smooth, funk, pop, etc.) music composed and performed by so-called Christian artists. The term, "Christian Jazz" will NEVER be found in Billboard, for example, and will NEVER exist as a true music genre. To think otherwise is ridiculous. Is it possible to arrange "Amazing Grace" in a jazz funk style? Of course it is possible! However, the song stands alone, placed in a proper genre such as Contemporary Christian, Gospel or Hymn - choose one - simply arranged to sound like jazz music: IT'S NOT CHRISTIAN JAZZ!
One exception exists, and that is my interpretation of the sole vocal song contained on the CD, "The Lord's Prayer". I would categorize that solitary work as Contemporary Christian.
What do YOU think? Love to hear your view - Email me!
The music you will hear when you purchase "God Is Cool", our debut CD, is NOT Christian Jazz - it IS Smooth Jazz through and through...nothing more, nothing less - enjoy!
"GOD IS COOL" THE CD
The title is an unlikely description of the music. Ranka, a Christian artist, chose titles for the 10 song CD as a tribute to his faith, but the sound is similar to Kirk Whalum, Spyro Gyra, David Benoit...others.
Instrumentation Includes:
Saxophone
Guitars (electric, bass and acoustic)
Authentic drums/percussion
Piano and keyboards
The CD was produced, engineered and mixed by James Ranka completed in August, 2003.
All songs were recorded at Destiny Productions, Ranka's commercial studio; mastered by Ernie Wells ( Eighth Note Productions) based in Houston, Texas. Ernie recently recorded Burt Bacharach's latest 'Greatest Hits' album!
Ranka's "friends" are all renowned jazz musicians including:
David Chionsini - Saxophones, keyboards
Tony Dupuis - Award-winning drummer
Danny Pemberton - Guitars
Although independently released in less than a year, rave reviews are the norm:
"What can I say about James Ranka? Music just flows from the man!" Robert Boggs, CBS Music Producer
"I find myself listening to this CD over and over." Dudley Smith, CEO ICM Records
This album is mainly Smooth Jazz in genre, but it truly blends many other musical influences, including: Gino Vanelli, George Winston, Robert Lamm, Steely Dan, The Yellow Jackets and Spyro Gyra.
All songs are vibrant instrumentals with one exception. The final cut is James Ranka's version of the Lord's Prayer, a vocal song that occupies the #1 spot (jazz genre) on the international premier music download sites. Fast becoming a welcome alternative to the original, a Houston-based church Music Director remarked,"One day this song (Ranka's version of 'The Lord's Prayer') will be a standard used in every church in America."
Since Ranka debuted "God Is Cool" this gifted new artist has:
1. SIGNED A MAJOR DISTRIBUTION DEAL.
2. SIGNED A MAJOR RADIO AIR-PLAY AGREEMENT.
3. RECEIVED FAVORABLE REVIEWS FROM MAJOR REVIEWERS.
4. SOLD MORE CDs THAN 90% OF NEW SMOOTH JAZZ ARTISTS' DEBUT ALBUM INDEPENDENTLY RELEASED.
JAMES RANKA
James is a composer, pop keyboardist, pianist, arranger, and engineer/producer. Although a part of many other albums as composer, producer, keyboardist, "God is Cool" is James Ranka's debut album.
JAMES EXPLAINS THE TITLE CHOICE
"A young, talented guitarist had recently joined my home church.
Asked by a church member why he joined, the young musician replied,
'Because I think God is cool'.
Spoken with true sincerity, the vernacular made a lasting impression.
Jazz music is often described as "cool", and as God infused a love of jazz in me, "God is Cool" represents a gift I want to share with ALL Smooth Jazz lovers."
...James Ranka
