Ricky Ford

Biography

Ricky Ford, born March 4, 1954, in Boston, Massachusetts, began his musical journey in the Boston area playing drums and melodica before switching to tenor saxophone at age 15, inspired by Rahsaan Roland Kirk and his father's collection of Savoy records featuring Charlie Parker, Lester Young, and Coleman Hawkins. He enrolled at the New England Conservatory of Music around 1968-1970, studying with renowned teachers including Joe Allard, Gunther Schuller, Ran Blake, Jaki Byard, George Russell, and Joseph Maneri, earning a Bachelor of Music in 1983. Pianist Ran Blake encouraged his studies, and at age 20, Ford joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra under Mercer Ellington in 1974, replacing Paul Gonsalves, after recording with Schuller on an Ellington tribute.[2][1][3][4]

Ford's career advanced rapidly; he performed with Sonny Rollins in 1973 at The Jazz Workshop in Boston, joined Charles Mingus from 1976-1977 (introduced by Jaki Byard), Dannie Richmond (1978-1981), Lionel Hampton (1980-1982), Mingus Dynasty (1982), and Abdullah Ibrahim (1985). He recorded prolifically as a leader for Muse and Candid labels in the 1980s and 1990s, freelancing in New York with a fierce hard bop style influenced by tenor giants like Paul Gonsalves and Sonny Rollins. Settling in Paris in the 1990s, he led big bands, collaborated with Ze Big Band on albums like 7095 (2009) and Sacred Concert (2013), and founded the Toucy Jazz Festival in 2009.[1][2][3][5]

A multifaceted artist, Ford taught at Istanbul Bilgi University (2001-2006), influencing Turkish saxophonists, led Brandeis University's big band (1985-1996) arranging rare works, and pursued painting and composition. His legacy endures through 21 leader albums, sideman work with jazz legends, and ongoing performances, maintaining a strong presence in the expatriate jazz scene in France.[3][4][5]

Fun Facts

• Owns and is refurbishing a rare 1867 saxophone made by Adolphe Sax, the instrument's originator, planning to feature it on a future project.
• Met Duke Ellington backstage a year before his death, introduced by Colombian saxophonist Justo Almario, which motivated serious study leading to joining the Ellington Orchestra.
• Shifted from drums to tenor saxophone at his father's suggestion, influenced by family Savoy records of Charlie Parker and others; started writing music on an airplane with Charles Mingus.
• A painter and choral arranger, he led Brandeis University's big band (1985-1996) transcribing works by composers never before played by big bands.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Joe Allard - Saxophone teacher at New England Conservatory (Studies 1970-1974) [1970-1974]
• Gunther Schuller - Teacher and recording collaborator at NEC (Ellington album recording) [1968-1974]
• Ran Blake - Pianist who persuaded him to study at NEC (Club performance leading to enrollment) [Early 1970s]
• Jaki Byard - Teacher at NEC who introduced him to Mingus (Arranging class big band work) [1968-1976]
• Sonny Rollins - Brief professional engagement that was a turning point (Week at Jazz Workshop Boston, pre-Cutting Edge material) [1973]

Key Collaborators

• Mercer Ellington - Leader of Duke Ellington Orchestra, took tenor chair after Paul Gonsalves (Duke Ellington Orchestra tours and performances) [1974-1976]
• Charles Mingus - Band member in Mingus group (Mingus ensemble performances) [1976-1977]
• Dannie Richmond - Sideman collaboration post-Mingus (Recordings and tours) [1978-1981]
• Lionel Hampton - Member of Hampton's band (Big band performances) [1980-1982]
• Mingus Dynasty - Member of the band honoring Mingus (Mingus Dynasty performances) [1982]
• Ze Big Band - Leader and arranger for Paris-based ensemble (7095 album, Sacred Concert) [2009-2013]

Artists Influenced

• Wallace Roney - Helped discover on Muse records (Ricky Ford Muse CDs) [1980s]
• Roy Hargrove - Helped discover on Muse records (Ricky Ford Muse CDs) [1980s]
• Christian McBride - Helped discover on Muse records (Ricky Ford Muse CDs) [1980s]
• Danilo Perez - Helped discover on Muse records (Ricky Ford Muse CDs) [1980s]
• Jeff Keczer (likely Keuzer) - Helped discover on Muse records (Ricky Ford Muse CDs) [1980s]
• Various Turkish saxophonists - Important teacher during university tenure (Teaching at Istanbul Bilgi University) [2001-2006]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia