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Ralph Humphrey
May 11, 1944 - April 23, 2023
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Ralph Humphrey Drummerworld
Ralph Humphrey

Ralph was a working professional drummer and teacher in Los Angeles. His background includes a variety of drumming experiences. His earlier work with the Don Ellis Big Band and Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, among others, has given him the knowledge and expertise to speak, teach and write on the subject of rhythm and its application in modern drumming.

Ralph maintained a very active career in the recording industry, played for a variety of motion picture and TV and record projects. Most recent productions include the hit show Americian Idol (2002-2004), American Jrs. (2003-2004), The Emmys (2002-2004), Star Trek Enterprise, The Simpsons, Charmed, Family Guy, American Dad, etc. His recording and touring career spans nearly 40 years and includes performing with jazz notables such as Wayne Shorter, Al Jarreau, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Lou Tabakin, Manhattan Transfer, Natalie Cole, Free Flight, Pete Christlieb, Joe Farrell, Tierney Sutton, Alphonso Johnson, Milcho Leviev, Alan Pasqua and an assortment of mainstream artists as well, including Seals and Crofts, Barbara Streisand, Jose Feliciano, Bette Midler, Captain and Tenille, Richard Carpenter, Rita Coolidge, etc.

Ralph can be heard on Millers’s recent release titled ‘Save the Moon’ on the Marsis Jazz label, and on the Babaghanoush release titled ‘Aphrodite Moves On’. Prasanna’s new CD is titled ‘Be The Change’ and features Alphonso Johnson, Antti Suzuki and Victor Wooten.

In addition to his performing career, Ralph teached and headed the drum dept. at the prestigious Los Angeles Music Academy, an accredited one-year vocational school for drums, guitar, bass and vocals, located in Pasadena, Ca. He and long-time partner Joe Porcaro are the authors of drum curriculum at the school, which includes Playing Techniques, Jazz and Rock styles, Rhythm Studies and Ensemble Techniques. Before that, he and Joe were responsible for creating and designing the drum program for the Percussion Institute of Technology, a part of the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Ca. Ralph taught the program and headed the department from 1980-1996.

Ralph has authored a method book for drummers, published by Barnhouse in 1980 titled, ‘Even in the Odds’, which explores odd rhythms and meters.

Ralph endorsed Yamaha drums, Zildjian cymbals, Remo drum heads and Vic Firth sticks.

He made periodic clinic tours, where he spoke about his vast musical experiences and shared his knowledge about rhythm, technique, styles and creativity.

He lost his battle with cancer Sunday, April 23, 2023 - Ralph: Rest In Peace!




Ralph Humphrey Drummerworld



Drummerworld Video
Ralph Humphrey: Drum Solo with Frank Zappa
Mothers Of Invention: Frank Zappa—guitar, vocals - Tom Fowler—bass Bruce Fowler—trombone
Jean-Luc Ponty—violin Ian Underwood—woodwinds, synthesizer - George Duke—keyboards
Ruth Underwood—percussion - Ralph Humphrey—drums
from Solliden Skansen Stockholm Sweden - August 21, 1973





Ralph Humphrey Drummerworld



Drummerworld Sound
Ralph Humphrey:
The Nines Have It - in 9/8
(feat. Ronnie Gutierrez, Jimmy Johnson, Greg Mathieson, Mike Miller & Dan Rosenboom)
℗ RH Records Released on: 2023-05-10


Ralph Humphrey Drummerworld
Jimmy Johnson - "The Bassplayer":

Last October I got a call from Ralph Humphrey who was putting together a band to play at the Baked Potato. Of course we all said YES! We had a blast that night and Ralph sounded amazing, as usual.
Not only was it rare for Ralph to be band leader, we also played a song he had composed many years ago for a jam session with Mathieson, Abe Laboriel Sr and Jay Gradon called "The Nines Have It".
So a rare gig and an even rarer Ralph original composition.
(All in crazy permutations of 9/8 so most of us were hanging on to the railing while Ralph just sailed right through.)
A few weeks later that band of musicians decided to try to build a ProTools version of that song for Ralph. Sadly, as you already know, we did not get this finished in time for Ralph to see it made available.  
But we want to follow through and get it out there because it's a cool piece and everybody played great. I suppose it may be Ralph's last recording - and he's burning!





Ralph Humphrey Drummerworld




Ralph Humphrey





Ralph Humphrey Drummerworld



Ralph Humphrey Drummerworld



Ralph Humphrey Drummerworld







Ralph Humphrey Drummerworld




Ralph Humphrey - Frank Zappa:
Dupree's Paradise
Mothers Of Invention: Frank Zappa—guitar, vocals - Tom Fowler—bass Bruce Fowler—trombone
Jean-Luc Ponty—violin Ian Underwood—woodwinds, synthesizer - George Duke—keyboards
Ruth Underwood—percussion - Ralph Humphrey—drums
from Solliden Skansen Stockholm Sweden - August 21, 1973






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Ralph Humphrey Drummerworld



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Ralph Humphrey DrummerworldRalph Humphrey - Joe Porcaro



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