Ronnie Ross
b. 2 October 1933, Calcutta, India, d. 12 December 1991. Ross came to England in his early teens where he first took up the tenor saxophone. In the mid-50s he joined Don Rendell who persuaded him to change to baritone. Thereafter, Ross built a reputation as an outstanding player of the instrument, working in bands led by Ted Heath, Marshall Brown and Woody Herman. He was also co-leader with Allan Ganley of the Jazzmakers. In the early '60s he was leader of his own small band and also participated in numerous recording sessions, including some with John Dankworth. The '60s also saw him spending time in Europe where he played with the Clarke-Boland Big Band. Ross continued leading his own groups and recording under various leaders during the '70s and into the '80s, including an appearance on rock singer Lou Reed's hit single A Walk On The Wild Side. A forceful player, Ross's baritone has long been one of the treasures of the British jazz scene although he seldom achieved the recognition his talent deserves.