Ralph Peterson Expands The Messenger Legacy with Onward & Upward 14 Former Jazz Messengers Join 3 Legacy Messengers for Historical New Recording out September 18th on Onyx Productions Master drummer Ralph Peterson continues to advance the continuum of his late mentor Art Blakey on Onward & Upward, his ambitious and expansive 25th release as a leader. … Read More
By Shaun Brady, The Philadelphia Inquirer Ralph Peterson has been thinking a lot about legacy. That’s somewhat inevitable in jazz, where tradition and history always loom large. Last month marked the centennial anniversary of the birth of Peterson’s mentor, the iconic drummer Art Blakey. The music composed under Blakey’s guidance by such legends as Wayne … Read More
By Rita Charleston, The Philadephia Tribune “Whatever you want to call it, it’s Black music,” says renowned drummer Ralph Peterson describing his feelings about jazz. “But it belongs to the world now, and all people of all races and creeds and colors play it. Nevertheless it remains an African-American music form.” And he should know. … Read More
Giovanni Russonello, The New York Times ART BLAKEY CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION at Dizzy’s Club (Oct. 7-12, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.). Blakey is remembered equally for the thunderous power of his drumming and for his influence on future generations; for over three decades, his Jazz Messengers remained a proving ground for premier young musicians. In recognition of what would have … Read More
Jazziz Ralph Peterson was one of two drummers to perform with The Jazz Messengers, having been hand-picked by Blakey as the second drummer in the legendary bandleader’s Jazz Messenger Big Band, in which he served until Blakey’s death in 1990. Peterson’s résumé includes more than 150 albums as a sideman, with credits on albums by … Read More
Sascha Feinstein, Jazziz This two-CD tribute to Art Blakey, recorded live over two nights in 2018 at the Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme, Connecticut, does justice to its honoree’s high standards. Ralph Peterson, the last drummer to perform side-by-side with his mentor, united five alums of Blakey’s Jazz Messengers: tenor saxophonist Billy Pierce, … Read More
R.J. Deluke, All About Jazz “Drumming is as natural to me as breathing.” —Ralph Peterson Drummer Ralph Peterson has been on the jazz scene for some 35 years or more, carving out a career as a performer and an educator that would be the envy of many. His main influence is the legendary Art Blakey, and … Read More
Michael Jewett, WEMU Drummer Ralph Peterson Brings his Art Blakey tribute to the Blue Llama Jazz Club in Ann Arbor this weekend. He joins 89.1 WEMU’s Michael Jewett for music and conversation. LISTEN HERE!
Michael Ullman, The Arts Fuse Once again, drummer Ralph Peterson pays fine homage to Art Blakey’s tradition of joyous, hard-edged bashing jazz. Ralph Peterson & The Messenger Legacy/ Legacy Alive: Volume 6 at the Side Door (Onyx). “The Messenger” of this disc’s title is, of course, a reference to Art Blakey’s famous hard bop band … Read More
Richard B. Kamins, Step Tempest The drummer, educator, and mentor Ralph Peterson literally burst into the public ears in 1985 as a member of O.T.B. (Out of the Blue), a group of young musicians that Blue Records Records created to showcase younger talent. He worked with so many musicians through his career including Tom Harrell, Terence … Read More
