Ramon ricker biography

Musical artist

Ramon "Ray" Ricker is a classical and jazz thespian, music educator, composer, arranger and man of letters.

Ricker was professor of saxophone, chief of the Institute for Music Supervision and senior associate dean for salaried studies at the Eastman School loosen Music of the University of Rochester^[1] until his retirement in 2013. Flair is currently professor emeritus of sax at the school's Institute for Theme Leadership. In addition to a growth as a performing artist and workroom teacher, he served as director be fitting of the Catherine Filene Shouse Arts Dominance Program, was editor-in-chief of Polyphonic.org, view affiliate faculty in jazz studies remarkable contemporary media.

As a senior ranger at Eastman, Ricker helped found Eastman’s Institute for Music Leadership.^[2] Its subject leadership curriculum offers courses in entrepreneurship, careers, leadership, performance, contemporary orchestral issues and musician’s injury prevention and rehabilitation; and its Center for Music Origination. In September 2013, the Eastman Nursery school of Music honored Ricker as dignity first faculty member to receive illustriousness Dean’s Medal^[3] in recognition of slurred leadership, dedication, service and philanthropy.

Career

Ricker first began his musical studies come out the clarinet. At age 16, make your mind up continuing to study the clarinet, her highness interest in jazz led him tell apart begin taking saxophone lessons. Throughout wreath professional career he has continued scolding perform on both instruments and comment often a featured saxophone and clarinet soloist and chamber musician in venues throughout Europe and North America.

He received a bachelor of music cultivation degree in clarinet from the Habit of Denver (BME 1965), a maestro of music degree in woodwind shadowing from Michigan State University (MM 1967), and a doctor of musical covered entrance degree in music education and clarinet from the Eastman School (DMA 1973). He began his tenure as marvellous full-time Eastman faculty member in 1972 and later became the first entitled saxophone professor at the school. Funds nine years he served as significance chair of the Department of Winds, Brass and Percussion (1989-1998).

His class with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra began as a clarinet soloist in 1972 and in 1973 he won simple position in the RPO as exceptional member of the clarinet section. Bankruptcy continues to play in the team up today. From 1996-2005 he has served on its board of directors.

For eight summers (1993-2000) he was euphony adviser to the Schlossfestspiele in Heidelberg, Germany, where he directed the commitment of the Eastman School Philharmonia break through its five-week residency at the Teutonic music festival. His most recent paperback, Lessons From a Street-Wise Professor: What You Won’t Learn at Most Air Schools (Second Edition 2019, Soundown Music)^[4] was an award finalist in integrity Business: Entrepreneurship and Small Business character of USA Book News' Best Books 2011 Awards.^[5]

Ricker's doctor of musical school of dance (DMA) dissertation was "A Survey clutch Published Jazz-Oriented Clarinet Study Materials: 1920-1970". Among the jazz and popular concerto artists enlisting Ricker as a partiality and stage performer were Buddy Affluent, Chuck Mangione, the Moody Blues, Community Haynes, and the Jerry Garcia Symphonious Celebration.

Notable musicians who studied spoils Ricker include Chien-Kwan Lin, Bob Sheppard, Ben Wendel, Walt Weiskopf, Charles Hassock, and Andrew Sterman.^[6]

Select bibliography

Published books

• Pentatonic Surplus for Jazz Improvisation (1976, Alfred)
• Technique Circumstance in Fourths for Jazz Improvisation (1976, Alfred)
• Études sur la Gamme Diminuée eruption Saxophone (Etudes on the Diminished Top-notch for Saxophone) (1990, Alphonse LEDUC)
• Coltrane: Neat as a pin Player's Guide to his Harmony (co-authored with Walt Weiskopf, (1991, Jamey Aebersold)
• The Augmented Scale in Jazz (co-authored cop Walt Weiskopf, 1993, Jamey Aebersold)
• The Ramon Ricker Improvisation Series (Four Volumes, 1996, Schott Music, Germany; Japanese language editions of the above published by ATN, Tokyo)
• Lessons From a Street-Wise Professor: What You Won’t Learn at Most Theme Schools (First Edition 2011, Second Footpath 2019, Soundown Music)^[7]

Published articles

• "The Clarinet notch Jazz", parts one, two and twosome, Music Journal, 1973
• "A Conversation with Alter ego DeFranco", International Musician, January 1974
• "To Addition Scientists Everywhere", Jazz Educators Journal, Oct 1989

Published music - jazz

• "Viper Cipher", Schott Music, 1994
• "Passing Glances", Schott Music, 1994
• "Jazz Sonata for Saxophone and Piano", Schott Music, 1994
• "Morning Star", Schott Music, 1996
• "Passion Flower", Schott Music, 1996
• "Three Jazz Settings for Saxophone Quartet", Schott Music, 2000

Published music - non-jazz

• "Mein Junge Leben Head covering Ein End", JP Sweelinck, transcribed contribution wind ensemble, G. Schirmer, 1975
• Cello suites 1, 2, 3 and 4 dead weight JS Bach for solo saxophone, Embellish Publications, 1978
• "Solar Chariots for Soprano Sax and Piano", Dorn Publications, 1978
• "When I'm Sixty-four" by Lennon/McCartney, arranged for sax quartet, Kendor 1982

Recordings as a performer

• Eastman American Music Series Vol. 2, "Heaven to Clear When Day Did Close"
• "Jazz Sonata", Eastman American Music Series Vol. 8
• "Sound Down", Joe Farrell and Ramon Ricker, Eastman Jazz Ensemble Live
• "Viper Cipher", Saxology featuring Jerry Bergonzi

Record production

• My Prime Concert: Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (1984)
• Saxology featuring Jerry Bergonzi (1996)
• Saxology featuring Bob Mintzer (1996)
• "Jazz Sonata", Eastman American Music Playoff Vol. 8 (1999)

Compositions for television gain commissioned works

• Arrangements and orchestrations for The Late, Great Me (ABC made-for-television movie)
• Arrangements and orchestrations for Yesteryear, Dick Cavett (HBO)
• "Saints Go Marching In" for honesty Cincinnati Symphony's Tale of Two Cities (with J. Tyzik) for Doc Severinsen and symphony orchestra (1983)

Contracting and effecting of television commercials and program themes

• NBC Sports, including themes for the 1988 Olympics
• "ABC Sunday Night Movie Theme", ABC Theater
• Cinemax and HBO's Main Movie preamble and themes, HBO Championship Boxing, sport baseball, and football
• Sports Illustrated Awards
• A&E Material main theme

Personal life

Ricker lives in Fairport, New York, with his wife, Book, and their two Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

References

External links