Ragology Ricky Alexander

• 1 Wildcat Blues 03:56
• 2 Slidin' (Escorregando) 03:20
• 3 Dizzy Fingers 03:37
• 4 The Buffalo Rag 02:33
• 5 Nola 03:23
• 6 You and a Canoe 03:36
• 7 Blackstick 02:53
• 8 Ragtime Oriole 03:06
• 9 Little Bits 02:53
• 10 Shreveport Stomp 03:43
• 11 Sweetheart O'Mine 02:58
• Total Runtime 35:58

Info zu Ragology

That elementary school teacher who taught Ricky Alexander the Original Dixieland Jazz Band’s “Tiger Rag” and other ragtime classics would fall in love quickly with the innovative, wildly versatile clarinet master’s third Turtle Bay Records recording Ragology.

In addition to showcasing Alexander’s effervescent passion for seminal century-plus old romps like “Buffalo Rag,” “Ragtime Oriole,” “Nola” and the Jelly Roll Morton classics “Shreveport Stomp” and “Sweetheart O Mine,” the high spirited 11-track collection is a true ensemble session featuring two veteran artists he considers ragtime authorities – Grammy winning pianist Conal Fowkes (co-leader of NYC’s High Society New Orleans Jazz Band) and banjo virtuoso/multi-instrumentalist Jerron Paxton.

"Ragology is the natural extension of the high energy stomping and swinging Alexander and Fowkes have created these past few years at The Rum House in Times Square with bassist Rob Adkins and drummer Kevin Dorn. Setting the quintet apart from other swing bands is their dedication to the ragtime foundation while creating spontaneous, jaw dropping moments that feel like they could rip open the musical space-time continuum." (Jonathan Widran, jwvibe.com)

Ricky Alexander, saxophones
Conal Fowkes, piano
Jerron Paxton, banjo

Ricky Alexander
When he isn’t performing at festivals or on tour, he can be heard playing in New York City’s jazz clubs and music venues almost every night of the week. With a career spanning over a decade, Ricky has established himself as a prominent figure in New York’s jazz scene and beyond through his accomplishments as a recording artist, teacher, bandleader, and performing musician.

As a recording artist, Ricky Alexander has showcased his skills as a musician and composer with three albums as a leader,”Just Found Joy”, “Strike Up the Band,” and “I’m In Love Again”, which have Additionally, Ricky has recorded as a featured soloist on over 30 albums. Recently, the single "My Window Faces The South," from vocalist Sweet Megg, achieved the 20th spot on the Country Music Charts, exhibiting musical versatility from Early Jazz to Western Swing and more. He has played as well for numerous TV commercials, films, and television productions, including a commercial for Jet Blue, Universal Pictures’ film “Bros”, and others.

As a bandleader, Ricky leads The Early Bird Jazz Band. From festivals such as the Syracuse Jazz festival, to downtown jazz clubs, to Theater District cafés, Ricky’s leadership has allowed him to engage a diverse variety of collaborators and audiences around the scene. Recently, Ricky and his band recorded fourth third album under the Turtle Bay Records label, which is due for release in the fall of 2025.

Throughout his career, Ricky Alexander has also been an active sideman. Since 2007, he has supported traditional and classic American Jazz ensembles including The Hong Kong Ballet, The Arlington Symphony, The Stamford Symphony, The Revisionists Jazz Band, The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra, Dandy Wellington and his Band, Richard Cortez, The EarRegulars, Terry Waldo’s Gotham City Jazz Band, Tatiana Eva Marie, Gordon Webster, and Grammy Award Winning bands Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, and Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats.

Collaborating with esteemed artists such as Sweet Megg, Martina DaSilva, Jerron Paxton, and Vanisha Gould, Ricky has consistently delivered performances that have garnered him critical praise and popular bookings.

While Attending NYU to earn his MS in Jazz Performance, Ricky served as an Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at New York University from 2011 to 2012, sharing his expertise with undergraduate musicians. While performing and recording continue to be Ricky’s focus, he teaches a small number of private clients who are themselves accomplished professional performers!

Ricky and his band are available for booking for public and private performances directly through the contact page on this website, or through the agency The Bash. He makes his home in South Brooklyn and spends his off-days playing tennis, cooking soup, visiting new neighborhoods, and enjoying his Brooklyn Botanic Garden membership.

“Delectably pithy, each of the record’s 11 tunes delivers a heady dose of syncopation and tuneful improvisation, recalling the abandon of jazz-age dance halls and speakeasies.” - Downbeat Magazine

“Whether listeners are long-time fans of trad jazz or just discovering the style, they will find Just Found Joy to be filled with exciting, timeless jazz.” -NYC Jazz Record “Just Found Joy is full of music that you will find joyful played by cats who continuously find grooves that will keep you swaying and smiling.” - Jersey Jazz

“Alexander is a whale of an improviser in the old style with a strong sense of construction in his solos.” - The Art Music Lounge

“Bright, dizzyingly fast paced solos and quicksilver interaction with trumpeter/cornetist Jon-Erik Kellso” -JW Vibe

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