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In the music industry, you usually can’t have it both ways. You find a musician who gets what life is like in the studio and in front of the stage lights, but who finds the business side of things a mystery. Alternatively, you get the industry insider who knows how to close a deal but not how to hold an instrument. Not so with Ross Wooldridge. This Brantford-based freelance musician and multi-instrumentalist knows how to straddle the divide.
Currently, the centerpiece for Wooldridge's musical output is his Tribute to the Benny Goodman Sextet. Created by Wooldridge and fronted by his superb clarinet work, his Tribute to the Benny Goodman Sextet has been delighting audiences around southern Ontario since 2005 with refreshingly authentic performances of Goodman's Swing era music. Using five of the most capable sidemen in the country, Wooldridge has created a sensational group. On occasion, he adds Alex Pangman's stylistically accurate and uplifting vocals to the group for extra added delight. His Tribute to the Benny Goodman Sextet is a testament to Wooldridge's taste, talent and leadership.
Sharing the spotlight is Wooldridge's role as the musical director, leader and
arranger for the Galaxy Orchestra. This fifteen piece (15 - 23 piece depending
on the show) big band has entertained in Southern Ontario and Western New York
for well over two decades, including Art Park in Lewiston, and the Toronto
International Film Festival. This world class orchestra continues to be in
demand in local concert venues. Working from a book of over 400 arrangements,
The Galaxy Orchestra is the premier choice for ballroom dance parties,
covering all of the big hits from the Big Band era from such great band
leaders as Glenn Miller, Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw,
Woody Herman… the list goes on. The band has six renowned theatre stage shows:
The Kings Of Swing Big Band Show, Galaxy of Stars - a second serving of our critically acclaimed
King of Swing showThe Fabulous Crooners - a look at the best of the best of
the post war rise of vocalists like Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett and
more, Benny Meets Artie, A Tribute To The Big Bands Of Artie Shaw And Benny
Goodman, In the Mood - The Music of Glenn Miller, Carnegie Hall - a dynamic look at Benny Goodman's groundbreaking 1938 Carnegie Hall
Concert, and Big Band Christmas- a hard swinging romp through the best traditional holiday favourites.
Additionally, Wooldridge is co-leader of Toronto’s renowned traditional jazz
band The Dixie Demons. With two albums to their credit and nearly 40 years in the
business, the Dixie Demons have made their mark in Southern Ontario as a
sure-fire hit at corporate functions, jazz festivals and night clubs with
their virtuoso performances.
www.dixiedemons.com
www.dixiedemons.com
Wooldridge’s work with the Dixie Demons caught the ear of the late guitarist
and trumpeter Jeff Healey, resulting in membership in
Jeff Healey’s Jazz Wizards and a great friendship.
Another offshoot of this collaboration is Wooldridge’s work with vocalist
Alex Pangman, Canada’s Sweetheart of Swing.
As if he weren't busy enough, Wooldridge is also a versatile, sought-after
sideman in the Toronto music scene. As well as his critically acclaimed
clarinet work, he is also in demand as a saxophonist, keyboard player,
arranger and producer. Although noted for his jazz playing, he is valued for
his ability to play at a truly proficient level in all styles. He enjoys
working with top Canadian talent, such as playing keyboards with singer
songwriter Alfie Zappacosta among others.
Simultaneous to his work as a freelance musician, Wooldridge has a gig of a
different sort as a teacher for the Toronto District School Board. With his
students, Wooldridge gets a look at the educational side of the music industry which many musicians never get to see. In his twenty-five years at TDSB,
Wooldridge learned invaluable information that has helped him as an
independent musician, and to his great satisfaction has enabled him to
inspire the next generation of young performers.
It is not surprising that Wooldridge, with his interest in early jazz, swing
and big band music, is also a student of early recording techniques and the
machines and processes that captured what he feels are some of the most
inspiring performances ever heard. His modest collection of records and
vintage radios and turntables underscores his appreciation of the art of the
well crafted arrangements and musicianship that was integral to the golden
age of recording. This is a passion he was delighted to share with
Jeff Healey. In addition, Wooldridge has a great love of antiques, and
simply for well executed design of any sort, be it the beautiful
architecture and detail of the Victorian era, to the inspired form and
design of machine age devices and art deco buildings and beyond.
With that, it's easy to see why Wooldridge has come to appreciate the beauty
and design of vintage cars of various eras. At present he enjoys driving
his 1966 Chrysler Town and Country station wagon and 1966 Dodge Monaco.
Wooldridge's pace shows no signs of slowing down, and he has many exciting
projects planned. To whet your appetite, keep an ear out for new
recordings featuring concert performances - such as the Galaxy Orchestra
from the
Benny Meets Artie show, and the In The Mood Show and
other new releases featuring Volume 2 of his
Tribute to Benny Goodman Sextet, and a new
Artie Shaw Gramercy 5 tribute.
