Notes
ALL ABOUT JAZZ (August 2009) "Let's be honest; if you grew up in the 80's, Molly Ringwald's name on this recording is probably going to make you want to give it a try. Give it a try anyway. Pianist Peter Smith has put out a cooking hard bop album that has that classic Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers/ Horace Silver groove to it. Songs like "Once Again" and "Webs" have that full bodied front line courtesy of Charles Owens and with a high stepping back beat by Trevor Ware on bass and Clayton Cameron on drums that is simply infectious. Smith's piano work is something to check out as well, with his off to the races treatment of "Mean Streets" or his serenading trio work of "I'm in the Mood for Love." His duet with Ware on "Blues For LeDonne" is sly and slick. As for Ringwald, she has actually got a great voice! She sounds mature, comfortable and assured on "I'll Take Romance" and "I Just Want to Be With You." Smith himself delivers a heartfelt original "My Daughter" that will pull on your heart. Here It Comes is an incredibly impressive release by Smith who is certainly a talent worth paying plenty of attention to." -George Harris 'Peter Smith's artistic talents as pianist, composer, and singer reflect his inclusive and engaging nature as a man," comments John B. Williams, internationally renowned bassist and composer. "This is a beautifully done CD with great performances by all. A truly memorable musical journey that one will enjoy taking again and again." "I met a great pianist (Smith) in New York, and then he moved to L.A," Molly Ringwald related in a recent LA Times feature. "Then when I moved here for Secret Life of the American Teenager, he was the first person I contacted. We've been gigging around town, and it's great!" "I've played the piano my whole life," says Smith. "While at Columbia University, I studied extensively with pianist Mike LeDonne. I'd say my primary influences are the titans of the fifties and sixties: Miles Davis, Ahmad Jamal, Cedar Walton, Tommy Flanagan, guys like that." Smith's playing does not shy away from the 'swinging phrase,' and he often emulates the joyful feeling heard in the music of greats like Wynton Kelly and Errol Garner. Compositionally, Peter owes much to Horace Silver and Bill Evans, which becomes clear when listening to 'Once Again,' 'My Daughter,' and 'Put My Fears to Rest.' Many know Molly Ringwald as the superb actress in countless films, but few know that her singing career began when she was a little girl, making her recording debut with her Jazz pianist father, Robert Ringwald, More recently, she led the Broadway cast of 'Cabaret,' and the national tour of 'Sweet Charity.' Peter is the musical director of her ensemble, and the musicians on this album comprise Molly's 'working band.' Much of the original music here was tried and tested on the bandstand as 'opening numbers' for Molly's performances. Although Molly only sings on two tracks, she is, essentially, the impetus for this group and this album. The musicians' contributions on "Here It Comes" are superlative. Charles Owens, Allen Mezquida, Trevor Ware, and Clayton Cameron play with great fluidity and effortless mastery. Every track commands attention, but if pushed for recommendations, we point you towards the following tracks: 'Put My Fears to Rest' is a gem, interpreted by the Billie Holiday of our time, Patrice Quinn. 'Once Again" swings in the classic, 'Art Blakey' style. 'Mean Streets' features the incomparable brush-work of Clayton Cameron, and 'Blues for LeDonne' is a real tap-your-foot blues, inspired by Mike LeDonne. 'I Just Want to Be With You,' which Smith and Ringwald wrote together, harkens back to the sweet standards of old, and Allen Mezquida's gorgeous alto solo reminds us all that the 'walking ballad' is not a lost art. Liner Notes: The impetus for "Here it Comes" was the formation of the band to accompany Molly Ringwald. Molly and I worked together in my hometown, New York. We became friends,
