Larry Ridley

Laurence “Larry” Howard Ridley II

(September 3, 1937 - Present)

Larry Ridley was born and raised in Indianapolis where he first began playing the violin with Ruth McArthur who charged his mother seventy-five cents per lesson.  Miss McArthur opened a music school for African American students in Indianapolis’ segregated public system. The Ruth McArthur Conservatory of Music was supported by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and first violinist Mildred Lind became Ridley’s second teacher after McArthur.

Early twentieth century musician and songwriter Ben Holliman, the father of his uncle’s wife, tutored Ridley on early jazz and blues music. Always wanting to learn more, Ridley met bassist Monk Montgomery and asked him for lessons. In 1955 he secured a violin scholarship at Indiana University School of Music where he also played on jazz combos and with the David Baker Band. These experiences also led him to jazz studies at the Lenox School of Jazz in Massachusetts.  

In 1957 Ridley organized a jazz band, the Jazz Contemporaries, with Freddie Hubbard, James Spaulding, Paul Parker and Walter Miller. Although underage they performed at George’s Bar on Indiana Avenue, playing six night a week with two matinees during the summer. 

A professional career spanning more than 50 years, Ridley has performed with countless jazz legends throughout the years. From 1971-1999 he was professor of music at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and Department Chairman & Designer/Implementer of the Undergraduate Jazz Degree Program of the Livingston College of Rutgers University Music Department, 1972-1980.  Ridley has been inducted into the International Association of the Jazz Educators Hall of Fame and the Down Beat magazine Jazz Educators Hall of Fame plus the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation Hall of Fame in 2013.