Born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 4, 1954. Ford began playing drums at age 15, then switched to tenor, inspired by Rahsaan Roy Kirk. Ran Blake saw him play in a Boston Club, and convinced him to go to the New England Conservatory. He was later invited by Blake to perform on several albums, including Rapport and Short Life Of Barbara Monk. Ford joined the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1974 under the direction of Mercer Ellington. In 1976, he was replaced by George Adams in Charles Mingus’ group. He recorded on Three Or Four Shades of Blue as well as Me Myself an Eye. He played with Mingus Dynasty’s George Russell, Dannie Richmond, Beaver Harris and Lionel Hampton in the late 70s, early 80s, and Adbullah Ibrahim’s Ekaya band. After the 1977 release of his debut album, he began to work as a leader. He recorded with Jimmy Cobb and an ex-Ellington friend, James Spaulding. Jaki Byard, one of his New England Conservatory instructors, is also featured on his latest releases. Ford is a strong and authoritative tenor player. However, his fluency in modern jazz idioms has hindered Ford’s ability to develop a unique voice. Ricky is a 2000 professor at the Bilgi University, Istambul. from http://ricky.ford.free.fr
