Drummer and music educator Ralph Humphrey's touring and recording fame includes the Don Ellis Big Band, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, Akiyoshi-Tabackin Big Band, Al Jarreau, Manhattan Transfer, Seals and Crofts and Free Flight. He can also be heard on album projects by Wayne Shorter, Tom Rainer, Mike Miller, Jeff Richman, The Outsidemen, Babaghanoush, and
Humphrey is one of Los Angeles’ most requested studio drummers, recording for TV, motion pictures, albums and jingles. He is the author of the drumming books Even in the Odds and Rhythm by the Numbers: A Drummer's Guide to Creative Practicing, and has written articles for Modern Drummer Magazine.
Ralph joined Frank Zappa's band in 1973. His drumming can be heard on Over-Nite Sensation, Apostrophe, Roxy & Elsewhere, You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore Volumes 1, 3, 4 and 6, Piquantique, Unmitigated Audacity, The Lost Episodes and Lather. He is interviewed in the documentary The Drummers Of Frank Zappa.
Additionally, Humphrey has played drums for artists as diverse as Barbra Streisand, José Feliciano, Bette Midler, Captain and Tenille, and Richard Carpenter. He is a teacher at the Los Angeles Music Academy, teaching the drum curriculum. He and Joe Porcaro created the drum program for the Percussion Institute of Technology, a part of the Musicians Institute in Hollywood.
He lives in Coastal Mendocino County, and plays locally with the popular Stephen Bates Band.
Tune in August 6th, from 8 to 9:30 pm, for A Musical Conversation with Drummer Ralph Humphrey, live on North Bay Beat, with your hosts John and Catherine.