Ralph MacDonald: Biography

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• Idris Muhammad
• Bernard Perdie

• Sidinho Moreira
• Marcelo Salazar

• Rahsaan Roland Kirk
• Grover Washington, Jr.
• Harry Belafonte

• Bill Salter

• Bob James
• Richard Tee
• Michael Brecker
• Randy Brecker
• Rick Marotta
• Steve Gadd
• Eric Gale

Born:

Mar 15, 1944 in New York, NY [Harlem]

Genres:

Classical Music, Jazz Music, Bop Jazz Music, Contemporary Jazz Music

Decades Active:

1970's|1980's|1990's

Artistic Quality

Low

Cultural Impact

Low

Popularity

Low

Ratings Guide

A busy studio musician during much of his career, Ralph MacDonald added colorful sounds and catchy rhythms to hundreds of recording sessions. His father's band played calypso in Harlem, and it had a strong influence on his playing, as did a tenyear stint (196171) with Harry Belafonte's band. After leaving Belafonte, MacDonald became a studio player, performing everything from soul and funk to disco and RB. His jazz associations have included Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Ron Carter, Paul Desmond, the Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn and most notably Grover Washington Jr. MacDonald led albums for Marlin in 1976 and 1979, TK in 1980, and Polydor in 1984.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide