Ross Wooldridge was born 1962 in Hamilton Ontario. He showed early musical ability, and was taking piano lessons by age four. He was self-taught on clarinet at age 13, and took saxophone at Ancaster High and Vocational School.
While attending Mohawk College and Humber College (where he also picked up the flute), he honed his skills as a multi instrumentalist, arranger and composer. After finishing his education, he added to his portfolio of skills the titles of producer, conductor, transcription specialist and teacher.
He enjoys co-leading an excellent traditional jazz band known as the
Dixie Demons with trombonist Dan Douglas, as well as a busy career of playing and recording with Jeff Healey and the Jazz Wizards, Alex Pangman and her Alley Cats, Jaymz Bee and the Royal Jelly Orchestra, Alfie Zappacosta, Terra Hazelton and her Easy Answers, and many other local artists. Ross has produced CD’s for the Dixie Demons and Alex Pangman, both of which have garnered rave reviews and continually receive airplay on JazzFm and other radio stations across North America.
Additionally, Ross is the leader/musical director of Toronto’s Galaxy All Star Orchestra, a big band specializing in the swing music of the 1930’s through the 1950’s. He has written many of the arrangements the band plays, and produced their CD “Tribute to the Kings of Swing” which is played regularly on JazzFm and other radio stations across North America. Their latest show is “Benny Meets Artie – A Tribute to the Big Bands of Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman”.
Another of Ross’s notable achievements is his critically acclaimed Tribute to Benny Goodman Sextet. This group was featured at a sold out concert presented by JazzFM and The Sound of Toronto Jazz Series in 2005, and they have been in demand ever since. They have released to excellent reviews a new CD for 2012, recorded at a concert performance.
As well as his extensive local resume, Ross has performed with and arranged music for a number of international stars, among them Ben E. King, the Drifters.
Instruments: Piano, Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute.
Accolades: Nominated for Clarinetist of the Year,
National Jazz Awards, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.
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