Robert Hicks: Vocalist, Pianist, Composer and Arranger

Recordings:

Robert Hicks
New Standards

“While his singing is the prominent feature, including some imaginative scatting that Mel Tormé would admire, Hicks’ piano work is also first rate–a light touch, a minimalist style not unlike a George Shearing. He’s got the whole package”.
Wayne Thompson, Jazzscene

“Robert Hicks is a charmer. He has joie de vivre that sounds genuine...if you are reassured by the sure signs of craftsmanship, then Robert Hicks will work for you too”.
Thomas Conrad, CD Review

“He consistently underplays in his vocals, either playing the sweet-singing romantic or scatting wildly with fine instrumental support...Hicks is a real talent...”
Jerome Wilson, Cadence

“Unlike some young singers who approach the standard repertoire with some bewilderment and a lot of forced effort, Hicks obviously understands these songs and is very comfortable performing them.”
Steve Gruber, Pulse!

Featuring: Al Viola, George Bohanon, Rick Baptist, Chuck Flores, Graham Young, Doug Webb, Dan Greco.

Song List: YOU’D BE SO NICE TO COME HOME TO • LET’S FALL IN LOVE • I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU • DON’T WORRY ’BOUT ME • THEY ALL LAUGHED • CARAMBOLA • ALONG THE NAVAJO TRAIL • THE SONG IS YOU • MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT • CARIOCA • EARLY AUTUMN • I DIDN’T LIKE IT THE FIRST TIME (THE SPINACH SONG)

VCD 82863

Robert Hicks w/ Pete Rugolo
and his Orchestra

“Textures In Hi-Fi is a nearly flawless
re-creation of the West Coast modernist big band era, as sharp and evocative as Wynton Marsalis’ re-creation of the Ellington canon. The brass section shimmers, the reeds wail, the bongos rap out their incantation. Suddenly you’re there, dashing through Hollywood nights of mystery and passion”.
Lynn Darroch
The Oregonian Arts & Entertainment

This is an exciting collaboration between acclaimed singer/pianist Robert Hicks and legendary arranger/composer Pete Rugolo. For this collection, Hicks reached as far back as the ’40s to select a unique program that is partly comprised of retrospective music from Rugolo’s career, including re-makes of charts originally written for Nat “King” Cole, June Christy and Stan Kenton. The adventurous Firebird Jumps (based on Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite) was written by Rugolo in 1945 (right before he joined Stan Kenton’s band) and is recorded here for the first time. Pete also wrote four new arrangements tailored to Robert’s warm vocal style including two for strings & French horns, and two for the 19-piece big band loaded with an all-star cast of Kenton alumni. Here is a danceable program that defies anyone listening to keep still.

Featuring: CONTE CANDOLI, PETE CANDOLI, BUDDY CHILDERS, BOB EFFORD, STEVE WILKERSON, JOHN LEITHAM, ROY WIEGAND, JACK COSTANZO, DON BAGLEY AND AL VIOLA.

Song List: IT’S CRAZY • "RICHARD DIAMOND" THEME • RITZ ROLL & ROCK • MINOR RIFF • INTERLUDE • IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN I DANCE WITH YOU • BONGO FEVER • FIREBIRD JUMPS • OUT OF THE SHAWDOWS • YOU STEPPED OUT OF A DREAM • THAT WAS THE END OF ME • RIKA JIKA JACK• HOUSE OF BLUE LIGHTS.

VACD 91028