Ron McClure
Ron McClure (born November 22, 1941) is a bassist who has played in hard bop, jazz-rock, free jazz and bebop sessions and bands.
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Early life
McClure was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He started on piano at age five, and later played accordion and bass. McClure studied privately with Joseph Iadone and, later, with Hall Overton and Don Sebesky. McClure attended the Hartt School of Music,[1] graduating in 1963.
Later life and career
McClure worked in the Buddy Rich Sextet in 1963. He then joined Maynard Ferguson's big band[1] and, afterwards, Herbie Mann in 1964; and then assumed the bass chair in the Wynton Kelly Trio vacated by Paul Chambers in 1965 (playing behind guitarist Wes Montgomery).
From 1966 to 1969 he was a member of Charles Lloyd's "classic quartet" together with pianist Keith Jarrett and drummer Jack DeJohnette,[2] which was voted "Group of the Year" in 1967 by Downbeat Magazine.
In 1970, together with pianist-composer Mike Nock, drummer Eddie Marshall and violinist Michael White, he co-founded the jazz-rock group "The Fourth Way". He also participated in Carla Bley's innovative album, "Escalator over the Hill," and worked with saxophonist Joe Henderson, recording four joint albums.
In 1974, McClure joined Blood, Sweat & Tears, staying through 1975 and performing on three albums: Mirror Image, New City and In Concert.
In the 1980s, McClure joined Quest, led by saxophonist Dave Liebman, which also included drummer Billy Hart and pianist Richie Beirach.[3] He also recorded a duo album with pianist Michel Petrucciani. McClure's major engagements in the 1990s through the early 2000s were with Lee Konitz, and then with the reassembled Quest.
McClure has done sessions as a leader for Ode, Bellaphon, EPC, Steeplechase, and Ken Music. His solo output include the contributions of John Scofield, John Abercrombie, Vic Juris, Paul Bley, Richie Beirach and Randy Brecker, amongst other jazz musicians.
Discography
As leader
- McJolt (SteepleChase, 1990)
- Never Forget (SteepleChase, 1991)
- Tonite Only (SteepleChase, 1991)
- Sunburst (SteepleChase, 1992)
- Inner Account (SteepleChase, 1993)
- Never Always (SteepleChase, 1995)
- Concrete Canyon (SteepleChase, 1996)
- Closer to Your Tears (SteepleChase, 1997)
- Dream Team (SteepleChase, 1998)
- Soft Hands (SteepleChase, 2006)
As sideman
With Burak Bedikyan
- Leap of Faith (SteepleChase)
With Carla Bley
- Escalator over the Hill (JCOA, 1971)
With Paul Bley
- The Nearness of You (SteepleChase, 1989)
With Stanley Cowell
- Sienna (SteepleChase, 1989)
With Joe Henderson
- If You're Not Part of the Solution, You're Part of the Problem (Milestone, 1970)
With Charles Lloyd
- Love-In (Atlantic, 1967)
- Journey Within (Atlantic, 1967)
- Charles Lloyd in the Soviet Union (Atlantic, 1967)
- Soundtrack (Atlantic, 1968)
With Julian Priester
- Love, Love (ECM, 1973)
With George Russell
- Live in an American Time Spiral (Soul Note, 1983)
With Michel Petrucciani
- Cold Blues (OWL, 1985)
