Phillip Arthur Ranelin was a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. He grew up in the shadows of Melvin Rhyne, Jimmy Coe, Russell Webster and Jimmy Coe. Ranelin is a respected and loved figure around the world as a master trombonist in the J.J. Johnson tradition, former Freddie Hubbard sideman, and co-founder of Detroit’s famed TRIBE records. Ranelin studied with and performed with many of the best Jazz and classical teachers in the industry, including Dr. Louis Smith, Nathan Davis, BunkyGreen, Larry Ridley and Nathan Davis. Ranelin has performed with many jazz artists, including Norman Connors and Ella Fitzgerald, Teddy Edwards., Gerald Wilson., Vi Redd., Freddie Redd., Marcus Belgrave. Harold McKinney. Ray Appleton. Ray Appleton. Ray Gales. Tootie Heath. James Spaulding. The all-star Luckman Jazz Orchestra at Disney Concert Hall. Freddie Hubbard. In 1981, MISTRAL was Japan’s #1 Jazz album. Ranelin, a leader, has shared the bill alongside Stanley Clarke and Christian McBride as well as Les McCann (Sonny Rollins), Pharoah Bernie, Wayne Shorter, Jimmy Smith, O.C. McCoy Tyner, Leon Thomas, and Smith. Ranelin has performed at numerous Jazz festivals all over the world, including the Montreux Jazz Festival.
