Larry Ridley ....

Born: September 3, 1937, Indianapolis, IN, USA;

Doctor of Performing Arts - University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. 2005;


Master of Arts, Cultural Policy - State University of New York / Empire State College. 1993;


Bachelor of Science, Music Education - Indiana University / New York University, 1971;

Professor of Music, Emeritus, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, beginning 1999;


Professor of Music - Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, 1971-1999;


Department Chairman & Designer/Implementer of the Undergraduate Jazz Degree Program of the Livingston College of Rutgers University Music Department - 1972-1980;

National Endowment for the Arts - Jazz Panelist, 1974-1976; Panel Chairman, 1976-1978;

National Endowment for Arts National Coordinator, Jazz Artists in Schools Pilot Program - 1978-1982;

Music Panelist - NY State Council on the Arts, 1987-1990; United States Information Agency, 1992; and numerous other State arts agencies (NC, PA, MI, NJ, OH) Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation;

YAMAHA Silent Bass Artist;

2011 to Present - Lecturer: Jazz at Lincoln Center / Swing University;

Executive Director, African American Jazz Caucus (AAJC) - beginning in 2001 to the present;

2014 - MEADE LEGACY JAZZ GRIOT AWARD, JEN Conference, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dallas, TX;


2013 - Inducted into The Indianapolis Jazz Foundation Hall of Fame;


2013 - Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Jazz Legacy Award presented to Dr. Larry Ridley by the Honorable Congressman John Conyers (D-MI); also, Mel Watt (D-NC)& Bobby Scott (D-VA) @ The 43rd Annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Legislative Conference (9/19/2013); Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC;


2012 - Inducted into the Indianapolis Public Schools System- Shortridge High School Hall of Fame;


2011 - Don Redman Heritage Award presented by the Don Redman Society, Piedmont, WV, Jefferson County, WV NAACP & Harpers Ferry Historical Association;

2011 - Rutgers University/Livingston College Legacy Award, presented by the Livingston College Alumni Association;


2006 - New York City Council Proclamation (June 19, 2006) awarded to Larry Ridley by Charles Barron, Council Member, 42nd District, Brooklyn, NY.
9/16/2001 - 6/30/2002 Member Board of Directors, Madame C.J. Walker Theatre Center, Indianapolis, IN;


2001 - Recipient of the Howard University "Benny Golson Award";


1999 - Inducted into the Down Beat Magazine Jazz Education Hall of Fame;


1998 - Inducted into the International Association of Jazz Educators Hall of Fame, NYC Convention;


1997 - Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation's "Living Legacy Jazz Award", Kennedy Center, Washington DC. (http://www.midatlanticarts.org/funding/artists_programs/living_legacy/ridley.html.);

Leader, Bassist and Artistic Director - the JAZZ LEGACY ENSEMBLE , 1985 to the Present;

1982 - 1987: Jazz Cultural Theater, New York City: Co-Partners: Larry Ridley, Barry Harris, Jim Harrison, Frank Fuentes;

JAZZ ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: Grambling College, Southern University, University of Utah, Drake University, Creighton University, Colorado College, Penn State University, Bowdoin College, Alcorn State, Bennington College, College of the Virgin Islands, University of Natal-Durban, South Africa. Madame Walker Theatre Center, Indianapolis, IN - 7/1/2002 to 9/30/2002. Schomburg Center/New York Public Library - 1993 to the present.