Ali Ryerson Jazz Flute Big Band

Biography

Ali Ryerson, born on October 21, 1952, in New York City, grew up in a musical family with her father, Art Ryerson, a renowned jazz guitarist who performed with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra and recorded with legends like Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, and Frank Sinatra. Initially envisioning a dual career in jazz and classical music, she studied flute with Harold Bennett of the NY Metropolitan Orchestra, John Wion of the NYC Opera Orchestra, and performed at Julius Baker masterclasses, graduating from the Hartt School of Music. Her focus shifted to jazz at age 20 with a touring show-band gig alongside jazz musicians, leading to her first European tour and recording in the mid-1980s.[1][2][3]

Ryerson's career spans over four decades as an international touring and recording jazz flutist, consistently ranking among top flutists in the DownBeat Jazz Poll. She has released nearly two dozen albums on labels like Concord, DMP, Capri, and Red Baron, with her Jazz Flute Big Band's debut 'Game Changer' (2013) hitting the US Jazz Charts' Top 10 for six weeks. A pioneer in jazz flute, she founded the NFA Jazz Flute Big Band in 2005 as Jazz Chair, served as musical director of the Hudson River Regional Jazz Festival (2001-2004), and composes for flute ensembles, premiering works at NFA conventions since 2013. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Blue Note, and global festivals.[1][2][3][4]

Her legacy includes authoring the 'Jazz Flute Practice Method,' offering masterclasses worldwide, and endorsing Gemeinhardt flutes with her autograph series. Ryerson's innovative Jazz Flute Big Band, featuring flutes from piccolo to contrabass with a rhythm section and commissioned arrangements, has elevated jazz flute, creating opportunities for aspiring players within the flute community.[1][2][4]

Fun Facts

• Her father Art Ryerson recorded with both jazz icons like Charlie Parker and pop stars like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, shaping her musical upbringing.
• Founded the NFA Jazz Flute Big Band in 2005, which uses only flutes from piccolo to contrabass plus rhythm section, debuting with 'Game Changer' that charted for six weeks.
• Designed her own Autograph Series flutes with Gemeinhardt, her endorsing company for over a decade.
• Shifted to full jazz focus at 20 via a touring show-band where half the repertoire was jazz, sparking her professional path.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Harold Bennett - Flute teacher (NY Metropolitan Orchestra) [Early career]
• John Wion - Flute teacher (NYC Opera Orchestra) [Early career]
• Julius Baker - Masterclasses (NY Philharmonic) [Studies]

Key Collaborators

• Stephane Grappelli - Recorded and performed (Various performances) [Career spanning decades]
• Roy Haynes - Recorded and performed (Jazz recordings) [Career]
• Hubert Laws - Recorded and performed (Jazz projects) [Career]
• Kenny Barron - Recorded and performed (Jazz albums) [Career]
• Joe Beck - Duo recordings and frequent collaborator (Duo albums like 'Portraits in Silver') [1990s onward]
• Luciano Pavarotti - Performed as principal flutist (Monterey Bay Symphony) [Symphony tenure]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia