Ralph Thomas is an African American ethno musician      

"We play specific musical traditions, both in terms of musical structure, repertory and performance, and in terms of the part music plays in society; on the other hand we consider the principles and methods that may be applied to the study of any music in its cultural setting, and the problems and insights that arise when we compare musics on a worldwide basis. The term ethnomusicology is generally applied to this multifaceted approach to the performance of world music."

Ralph Thomas has been using fusion music since theearly 60?s. "My music has always been open to different cultures and sounds Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Mexican, Peruvian, American,Hebrew, Turkish, African, Indian & Japanese.  Ralph Thomas was born in Chicago in 1950. He performson saxophone, flute, bagpipes and percussion. Whileattending the Chicago conservatory of music in 1969 he became amember of the Chicago A.A.C.M, studying with Phil Cohran and Richard Muhal Abrams, and recording with well knownChicago Blues legends, Howling Wolf and mighty Joe Young onthe Cadet Label. In 1974, he moved to Los Angeles, where he wasimmediately accepted by Motown Records and 20th Century Fox. Hewas sought by and recorded with such celebrated artistsas Marvin Gaye, Jermaine Jackson, Smokey Robinson, andRick James. In 1980 Ralph moved on to record and produce his ownalbum, "Eastern Standard Time", released on Zebra Jazz label, which was successful, not only in the U.S butalso in Europe. In 1981 Ralph recorded for Quincey Jones Prod : onsuch soundtracks as Roots, and The Color Purple. In 1985his love for Afro-Caribbean rhythms took him further afield tothe Caribbean, recording for Jack Ruby with well-knownreggae artists Augustus Pablo and Gregory Isaac. He toured with various Caribbean bands in order tocapture the spirit of these rhythms, In 1986 he moved to NewYork City where he was able to experience the essence ofboth Samba and Salsa, performing with Johnny Colon, DonCherry, Olatunji and Sun Ra. Since 1993 Ralph Thomas has been based in Paris andhas had several tours in Europe with Mra Oma. Since 1996 Ralphhas been successful in recording with many artists inParis, which has included Sara Alexandra, Mra Oma and Ranaivo-Rajaona Hery. He has also performed withSunny Murray, Archie Sheep, Trilok Gurtu, The MasterDrummers of Nepal at Katmandu,etc.
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Northgate Jazz CO-OP
Chiang Mai Thailand