Biography
Rickey Ford is a seasoned professional musician based in Houston Texas. He's considered an authority on music theory, and the music industry, and specializes in saxophone, flute, keys, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, and voice as well. With over fifteen plus years music teaching experience, and professional performance experience with artists ranging from The Delfonics, Jennifer Holiday, Milton Berle, Kirk Whalum, Joe Sample, Barbara Johnson Tucker, Ornette Cobb, Conrad Johnson, Calvin Owens, Mavis Staple (The Staple Singers), Anita Moore, Barry Lee Hall (of the Duke Ellingson Orchestra), Hank Neal, V. Michael McKay, Wendell Brooks, Kyle Turner, Sebastian Whittaker, Kenny Abair, AJ Murphy, Regina Belle, Horace-Alexander Young, Thomas Malonson, Tracy Marquis, Louis Carrington, Theola Booker, Dennis Dotson, Don Slocombe, Leonard Trombetta, Sancho Cosmic Latte, Cici Mims, Johnny Andre, Faye Robinson, Trudy Lynn, Grady Gaines & The Texas Upsetters, and Johnny Taylor.
After getting his chops together at Shelby State Community College and later TSU, Rickey has gone on to battle through suffering and struggle to get over the hump and achieve his musical and nonmusical dreams. His influences include James Brown, George Fredrick Hayden, Bob Marley, BB King, Selena, The Cumbia Kings, Bethoven, Bach, Thomas Dorsey, James Cleveland, Louis Armstrong, Carlos Santana, Beau Jocque, Clifton Chenier, Stevie Wonder, Sonny Stitt, the Beatles, Peter Frampton, Jimmy Hendrix, The Commodores, Parliament, Larry Graham & The Graham Central Station, Sly and the Family Stone, the Ojays, The Platters, Mystikal, 2Pac, Biggy, Johnny Taylor, Domingo, Luciano Pavaratti, George Benson, Muddy Waters, Nat King Cole, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, and Hubert Laws.
Rickey is a long-standing member of Phi Mu Alpha (professional music fraternity) and also teaches other instruments besides his primary instruments, including piano, oboe, and more. He is conversant in a wide range of styles, from classical to rock, reggae, funk, blues, gospel, alt. rock, zydeco/cajun and R&B.
Mr. Saxophone has performed at the Miller Outdoor Theatre, Astrodome, Astroworld, Arena Theater, Freedom Festival (with over 250,000 people in attendance), and countless other establishments.
Rickey Ford, or "Mister Saxophone" as he is respectfully called by those who admire him, is a definite first call for music instruction, consulting, and performance.