Ralph Moore (born 24 December 1956) is an English jazz saxophonist.

Early life

Moore was born in Brixton, London, England. His mother was the dancer Josie Woods, and his father was in the US military. He spent his childhood in Brixton, and after trying various instruments, took up the tenor saxophone at the age of 14. In 1972, he moved to Santa Maria, California, to live with his father. His mother had not wanted him to grow up in Brixton. "Around 1975 he moved to Boston, where he played locally and attended the Berklee College of Music. His studies were interrupted when his apartment was robbed and he was shot and seriously wounded, and he never received a degree."

Later life and career

Moore began his professional career with a tour of Scandinavia in 1979. He moved to New York the following year. He was part of Horace Silver's band from 1981 to 1985, including for tours of Europe and Japan, and recordings. He then played with numerous musicians, including Roy Haynes (around 1982–86), Darrell Grant (1986–87), Dizzy Gillespie's reunion band (1987), Freddie Hubbard (around 1987–91), and Gene Harris (1989–90). Moore's first recording as leader was for Reservoir Records in 1985. He subsequently recorded for Landmark, Criss Cross, and Savoy. Starting in 1995, he was part of Kevin Eubanks's band for The Tonight Show.

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Kenny Barron With Billy Hart With Freddie Hubbard With Bobby Hutcherson With Jimmy Knepper With Oscar Peterson With Valery Ponomarev With Ben Riley With Rob Schneiderman With Superblue With Cedar Walton Ray Brown Trio, Moore Makes Four, 1990