Ricky Ford

[Hardbopjazz]

By the late 70s Ricky Ford replaced George Adams in the Mingus band. I was listening tonight to a Mingus show on Wolfgang's vault and was impressed by his playing. I really don't know anything by or with him outside of the Mingus. Anyone else enjoy his playing? Any other records worth checking out with Ricky Ford?

[Pete C]

By the late 70s Ricky Ford replaced George Adams in the Mingus band. I was listening tonight to a Mingus show on Wolfgang's vault and was impressed by his playing. I really don't know anything by or with him outside of the Mingus. Anyone else enjoy his playing? Any other records worth checking out with Ricky Ford?

With Mingus he was a young up and comer (maybe 18), a shadow of the monster he'd become.

These are from a fun live gig that I caught in the '89.

He's been in Europe for at least the last 10 years, so I'm not up on his more recent stuff.

[clifford_thornton]

What a "rhythm" section! Bet those are strong and steamin'.

[JSngry]

This is a good one:

As is this one:

There's a third Candid with that group. They're all nuts, those albums.

Then there's the two sides w/Mal Waldon on

Ford's Muse sides make an interesting journey taken as a whole. Sometimes you find them as cutouts, so be on the lookout.

Ricky Ford kinda started out kinda funny, like he was going to end up like a hardboppy Scott Hamilton or some such. But then he started going kinda left (well, not really "going" in was in there from the beginning (and oh yeah, don't miss his recordings with Ran Blake, none of them), and next thing you know, he's playing really, really intensely all the time. Those Candid sides get "uncomfortable" at times, in a good way, if you know what I mean.

And now, I guess he lives in France.

[Spontooneous]

A second to Jim's endorsement of that Richard Davis album.

Also, Ricky has a beautiful wake-up call of a solo on Steve Lacy's "Vespers" (on the song "I Do Not Believe"). Not for everybody, especially those who can't take Irene's singing. But I love it.

[JSngry]

There's another one w/Davis, not as strong an overall group (a matter of degree, though, not of level), but Ford is doing it for real.

[Ted O'Reilly]

For another side of Ford's personality, check out the albums he did as a member of Abdullah Ibrahim's Ekaya group. There are 3 or 4 from about 1983 to 1990 or so.

[BFrank]

Just DL'd Manhattan Blues. Thanks for the heads up - and thanks for this thread. I always liked Ricky, but he's so far off the radar I forget about him.

[king ubu]

Yeah, got the Waldrons (they're in that box of sardines) and the Ibrahim albums - fine player!

He also did one with Rhoda Scott:

(Ford is on one, Person on the other disc - no battles)

Several of the albums mentioned will be put onto my shopping list!

[jazztrain]

I had a "whatever happened to" conversation about Ricky Ford with a colleague a few weeks ago. He was based in Massachusetts for many years. I saw him many times, probably back in the late 1970s before he headed overseas to Paris. I think he also has spent aome time teaching in Turkey.

[brownie]

Ricky Ford plays tomorrow at the Duc des Lombards club in Paris.

Ricky Ford Quartet

[AllenLowe]

good player, though I always felt there was something missing; I first saw him with Jaki Byard's big band in Boston, maybe 1975. He apparently did his career in for a while by getting a little too carried away with himself. Glad he's still playing.

[JETman]

Given that today is the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and that many believe that the mystery of TWA Flight 800 hasn't really been solved, Ricky Ford's sad connection to Wayne Shorter should be mentioned, and the victims of that 1996 crash also remembered in our prayers.

[relyles]

I believe this is his most recent release (2006) and it is a good one.

[colinmce]

Don't miss his debut, Loxodonta Africana on New World. A great mid-size ensemble record that calls to mind mid- 60s Blue Note, with Richard Davis, James Spaulding, and Charles Sullivan in tow. Not hugely original, but a great listen.

[JohnS]

For another side of Ford's personality, check out the albums he did as a member of Abdullah Ibrahim's Ekaya group. There are 3 or 4 from about 1983 to 1990 or so.

I can recommend his recording with Abdullah Ibrahim. Ford really made a big impression live with Ekaya. Ford can also be heard on Ran Blake's highly praised (Penguin Guide) The Short Life Of Barbara Monk.

[Pete C]

Oh yeah, those Waldron albums. Fantastic. Both Ford & Fortune are smoking.

Given that today is the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and that many believe that the mystery of TWA Flight 800 hasn't really been solved, Ricky Ford's sad connection to Wayne Shorter should be mentioned, and the victims of that 1996 crash also remembered in our prayers.

I knew about Wayne's wife. What's the Ford connection?

[JETman]

Oh yeah, those Waldron albums. Fantastic. Both Ford & Fortune are smoking.

Given that today is the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and that many believe that the mystery of TWA Flight 800 hasn't really been solved, Ricky Ford's sad connection to Wayne Shorter should be mentioned, and the victims of that 1996 crash also remembered in our prayers.

I knew about Wayne's wife. What's the Ford connection?

His mom was on the flight on her way to visit him in Paris.

[Eric]

I enjoy all of his Muse lps. I think 32 Jazz (with Ricky's assistance IIRC) pulled together a best-of compilation, but nothing else on CD.

[JSngry]

I enjoy all of his Muse lps. I think 32 Jazz (with Ricky's assistance IIRC) pulled together a best-of compilation, but nothing else on CD.

Most, maybe all, of the Muse albums were released as Muse CDs before Muse folded up tent. Both the CDs and the LPs do turn up as cutouts on occasion and can be found.

[AllenLowe]

please don't forget that the pianist on Loxodonta Africana was Bob Neloms.

jeez, I'd forgotten the thing about his mother on the plane. Awful.

[Pete C]

please don't forget that the pianist on Loxodonta Africana was Bob Neloms.

He was also the pianist for most of Ford's tenure with Mingus, replacing Danny Mixon.

[brownie]

I believe this is his most recent release (2006) and it is a good one.

A more recent album (April 2010) can be ordered here:

Ricky Ford and ZE Big Band

[Eric]

I enjoy all of his Muse lps. I think 32 Jazz (with Ricky's assistance IIRC) pulled together a best-of compilation, but nothing else on CD.

Most, maybe all, of the Muse albums were released as Muse CDs before Muse folded up tent. Both the CDs and the LPs do turn up as cutouts on occasion and can be found.

Correct you are - in fact I have a couple of them. I am clearly losing it ...

[JSngry]

being there, doing that...just don't lose them!