Reviews:
Lacey Mae (2008)
By Rowdy Creek (2006)
Bio:
Artist Beverly Ritz is a highly respected pianist, composer. and music educator. Her music has been endorsed by jazz critic Scott Yanow, pianist/composers Jessica Williams & George Kahn, and guitarist Phil Mack.
Performer
Hundreds of concerts and club dates—including a solo jazz piano concert at the Performing Arts Center in Newport, Oregon. Ritz's repertoire consists of “cool” interpretations of jazz classics and her original compositions.
Composer/Lyricist/Recording Artist
Recorded 8 albums & 1 single. Published 18 pieces of music and 2 children’s sing-along books. The single, Someday, also is the title track of a movie. Music can be heard on NPR stations—including KMHD in Portland, Oregon, KKJZ in Los Angeles, California, & WAER in Syracuse, NY, and on a wide variety of radio stations all over the world. Winner of ASCAP writer’s award for 12 consecutive years.
Music Educator
Since 1976, Beverly has taught piano, guitar, and voice to thousands of students in California, Oregon, and Washington. She has worked in elementary schools, colleges, recreation centers, & assisted living facilities.
Background
Originally from Washington, D.C., Ritz began her recording career in Santa Monica Canyon, California in the 1980s, where she initially established Goldie Mae Records & Ritzy Music, ASCAP. However, in the mid-80s, as Beverly saw the environment fade and meanwhile discovered that her recordings were being broadcast in northern Oregon, she followed her music to the Pacific Northwest! A stint in Seattle prompted her to write and record Herschel Sea Lion, Discovery Park, and Walk Away From The Blues (Goldie Mae Records, 1986). Relocating to Nedonna Beach on the northern Oregon coast, she suddenly became immersed in defending and befriending countless animals who approached her, needing help. Not only did she come to their aid, but she immortalized them in songs and children's books. Both Songs For Wildlife (Goldie Mae Records, 1989) and her first CD, Tango, Where Did The Time Go? (Goldie Mae Records, 2001), contain winsome rivers of melodies inspired by animals and nature.
In 2006, Ritz set up a 16-track digital recording studio featuring a 6'7" grand piano. Since then, she has produced the award-winning CD, By Rowdy Creek, and the highly-acclaimed disc, Lacey Mae.
The CDs and other products can be ordered from: www.ritzymusic.com.
