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Oral history interview with Larry Ridley.

Title
Oral history interview with Larry Ridley.
Publication
New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1996.

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DVDUse in library Sc Visual DVD-1071Schomburg Center - Moving Image & Recorded Sound

Details

Additional Authors
  • Ridley, Larry
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
  • Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Description
3 videodiscs (98 min.) : sound, color; 4 3/4 in.
Summary
The oral history interview with Larry Ridley, double-bass player and jazz history teacher, begins with his childhood in Indiana. Born September 3, 1937 in Indianapolis, Ridley began playing violin at the age 3. He recalls having had fine music instructors and the influence of many musicians who lived in or passed through the area. At age 5 Ridley began attending a neighborhood music school and played violin in the elementary school orchestra and into high school. When a sophomore in high school Ridley switched to double-bass and decided he wanted to play jazz after hearing Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown and Herb Ellis in a Jazz at the Philharmonic concert. Ridley had his first road gig at age 16, and tells how he got his first professional gig at the Turf Club in Indianapolis filling in for Monk Montgomery with Wes Montgomery and his band. Ridley discusses the importance and benefits of using the bow with the bass and the differences between the acoustic bass and the Fender bass. Slam Stewart and Paul Chambers, among others, influenced his attraction to the bass. Ridley then plays Satin Doll using the bow. The late 1960s Ridley played with Duke Ellington and describes his charisma, intelligence, talent and tells of a particular performance at the Rainbow Grill in NYC. Others he has played with: Ray Nance, Joe Venuti, and Stephane Grappelli. Ridley recalls meeting Louis Armstrong at the Atlanta Jazz Festival and talks about his stage persona and genius; on Dizzy, Ridley describes his incredible knowledge of music, how he stressed the importance of the piano, and his introduction of the Afro-Cuban influence into jazz. Ridley discusses his teaching and educational background: he has taught jazz history for 25 years at universities in various countries including Rutger's University, he received an M.A. in cultural policy from the State University of New York, he has worked for the National Endowment for the Arts as a panelist, and was the national coordinator for the Jazz Artists in Schools Program. Ridley expresses his viewpoints on the subsidization of the arts in the U.S. and in Europe, the intent and purpose of endowing the arts and humanities, and its surrounding controversy during the Reagan Administration. Ridley talks about his Jazz Legacy Ensemble and its objective to perform and perpetuate the music of the masters. He concludes the interview with his advice to young people to practice, do research, and learn from the masters.
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Iterviews.
  • Oral histories.
Note
  • The Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project was funded by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.
Terms of Use (note)
  • Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.
Biography (note)
  • Larry Ridley is a double-bass player and teacher of jazz history.
Linking Entry (note)
  • Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Call Number
Sc Visual DVD-1071
OCLC
1130060640
Title
Oral history interview with Larry Ridley.
Production
New York : Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 1996.
Country of Producing Entity
United States.
Type of Content
two-dimensional moving image
Type of Medium
video
Type of Carrier
videodisc
Digital File Characteristics
video file DVD
Event
Recorded July 30, 1996 Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Terms Of Use
Permission required to cite, quote and reproduce; contact repository for information.
Biography
Larry Ridley is a double-bass player and teacher of jazz history. Born September 3, 1937 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Ridley played violin as achild and switched to double-bass in high school. Ridley has performed and recorded extensively, worked for the National Endowment for the Arts and other music education organizations; is currently teaching jazz history and performing with his Jazz Legacy Ensemble.
Linking Entry
Forms part of: Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Connect to:
Request Access to Schomburg Moving Images and Recorded Sound
Added Author
Ridley, Larry, interviewee.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Louis Armstrong Jazz Oral History Project.
Research Call Number
Sc Visual DVD-1071
Sc Visual VRA-189 VHS
Sc Visual VRC-12 MII videotape
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