Ralph Macdonald

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 ten-year stint (1961-1971) with Harry Belafonte's band. After leaving Belafonte, MacDonald became a studio player, performing everything from soul and funk to disco and R&B. His jazz associations included Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Ron Carter, Paul Desmond, the Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn, and most notably Grover Washington, Jr. MacDonald led...