Global Music Elite Gather in NYC for Phil Ramone Tribute

How do you say goodbye to Phil Ramone?

Pictured L-R, seated: Paul Simon, Quincy Jones, Karen Ramone, BJ Ramone, Matthew Ramone; L-R, standing: Steve Gadd, Josh Groban, Dave Grusin, Ed Cherney, Nikki Yanofsky, Kevin Spacey, Noel Paul Stookey, Shelby Lynne, Peter Yarrow, Matthew Morrison. (Photo by Johnny Richie Photography) (Click to enlarge

The answer is: You don’t. Instead, you gather together a few hundred of his closest friends, reconnect and refresh your understanding of what made this producer of music one-of-a-kind.

And that’s exactly what happened this past Saturday in New York City at a very special event, entitled “Phil Ramone, Music Memorial Celebration”, held at Centennial Memorial Temple within the Salvation Army’s Greater New York Division Headquarters.

What transpired that evening was truly unforgettable for all in attendance, as an unprecedented parade of Phil Ramone’s family and friends– many of whom stand as today’s true music elite – shared their experiences of a man who left an indelible stamp on the world before his passing in March.

Imagine a show with all of these Ramone collaborators onstage in the same night, and you get a renewed sense of his impact: Tony Bennett, engineer Ed Cherney, Josh Groban, Dave Grusin, Billy Joel, Quincy Jones, Shelby Lynne, Matthew Morrison, Paul Simon, Kevin Spacey, Noel Paul Stookey, Nikki Yanofsky and Peter Yarrow. Aretha Franklin appeared via video feed.

The backup band that accompanied many of the artists who performed were all-stars in their own right, including Rob Mounsey (musical director/piano), Steve Gadd (drums), Bashiri Johnson (percussion), Ben Butler (guitar), Henry Hey (keyboards), Zev Katz (bass), Vaneese Thomas (background vocals) and Jill Dell’Abate (background vocals and music coordinator).

Another loving perspective on Phil Ramone was provided by his family members Karen, BJ, Matt and Simon Ramone, who also shared the stage. The Salvation Army Phil Ramone Orchestra for Children launched the event’s musical program with a spirited rendition of “When the Saints Come Marching In.”

FOH engineer Ron Reaves at the Phil Ramone Music Memorial Celebration (Photo Credit: Matthew Eisman)

Throughout the evening, FOH mixer Ron Reaves provided an immaculate mix for the audience, many of whom were experiencing the Salvation Army’s breathtaking Art Deco auditorium on 14th Street for the first time (in December, Ramone was recognized by the organization with the 2012 Pinnacle Achievement Award).

Naturally, the evening was recorded for posterity, with John Harris and Joel Singer serving as Recording Engineers, while Mitch Maketansky was Audio Coordinator – all three of Music Mix Mobile.

The tributes to Phil Ramone came in many forms that night, ranging from music and memories, to quotes and funny stories: “Music was my Dad’s Universe,” – BJ Ramone; “Phil gets it,” – Billy Joel;   “Most entertainers dislike producers – they tell you right away what you shouldn’t do. The opposite was Phil Ramone,” – Tony Bennett.

All of it added up to a picture of a producer whose records sold into the hundreds of millions. Not just because of his amazing ear for music, but his unique gift for relating to artists, and making them supremely comfortable as they created their craft in the studio.

John Harris was Recording Engineer for the evening, along with Joel Singer (not pictured). (Photo credit: Matthew Eisman)

No question, the show was spectacular — but the best part of the evening may just have come after the last note sounded and the house lights came up. Instead of rushing back to our apartments, sprinting to a train, or high-tailing it back to the airport (many in attendance flew in from around the world on short notice to be there), a vast majority of the invited guests stayed on.

We gathered in constantly reforming groups by the stage, among the rows of seats, or the Centennial Memorial Temple’s spacious lobby, reconnecting and forging new friendships on the spot. The gentle murmuring of family and fondness in the after-show glow sounded out like a new song – yet another original sonic experience orchestrated by the irreplaceable Phil Ramone.

— David Weiss    

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