Ralph Rolle, master percussionist as far back as he can remember has always marched to the beat of a different drum. He began playing professionally at the age of 18. It is therefore no surprise that with almost 3 decades of professional experience within the music industry Ralph Rolle enjoys an illustrious career as a much sought after drummer and producer. Ralph's client list includes artists such as: Biggie Smalls, Queen Latifah, Erakah Badu, Toshinobu Kubota, D'Angelo, John Legend, India Arie, Erica Badu, and many more.
For the past 14 seasons, Ralph has been the Drummer for NBC's "It Showtime at The Apollo" with Ray Chew & The Crew. Ralph recently sat in for Anton Figg on "Letterman." while away on business. In 1990 Ralph founded Phat Kat Productions, Inc. a music production company. Over the past 15 years Phat Kat Productions has produced, and arranged both orchestral and vocal musical segments for commercials such as Nike, Burger King, Miller Genuine Draft, and Dark & Lovely. Ralph has worked on many projects writing, re-mixing and editing recording projects for R & B , Rap, Gospel and Pop artists including Toshinobu Kubota, HiFive, Najee, Glenn Jones, Johnathan Butler, Al Green and the list goes on.
Ralph Rolle has been seen and heard performing on many television shows and sound tracks like The David Letterman Show, The Chris Rock Show, Vibe, Planet Groove, The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show, The Cosby Show, A Different World, New York Under Cover, One Life To Live, Good Day New York, Maury, Good Morning America, Fox After Breakfast, N.B.C. Today Show, Top Of The Pops(London), Siempre En Domingo(Mexico), Jon Stewert, Pat Sajack, Regis and Kathie Lee, Music Fair (TV Asahi, Japan), Beat Street Sound Track, Love Jones Sound Track, On the Ropes Sound Track(Academy Award Nomination)
Expertise and opportunities such as these, have launched Ralph in to the coveted position of Musical Director for a morning talk and variety show, The Caroline Rhea Show.
02/29/08
Showtime At The Apollo
Artist played for
Freda Payne
Gloria Gaynor
Ray J
Ray, Goodman and Brown
Rahsaan Patterson
01/21/08
The Blue Note
Artist played for
Barry Eastmond
The Band... James Genus...Bass, Alec Shantiz...Keys, Sherrod Barnes...Guitar, Lenny Pickett...Sax, Freddie Jackson, Kenny Latimore, Elisabeth Withers-Mendes, Gordon Chambers, Cindy Mizelle, Rene Cody, Gloria
12/20/07
Avatar Studios
Writing session with Jerry Barnes, Sherrod Barnes and Selan Lerner (welcome back),
12/15/07
Geneva, Switzerland
Artist played for
Chic
11/16/07
The Kennedy Center
Artist played for
Lillias White
10/30/07
Legacy Studios
Artist recorded for
Nas...produced by Salaam Remi. Marching drum arrangement by Ralph Rolle
10/29/07
The Angel Ball
Artist played for
Chaka Khan
Joss Stone
10/15/07
VH1
Artist played for
Salt & Pepa
10/13/07
London
Artist played for
Chic
9/8/07
Geneva, Switzerland
Artist played for
Chic
8/20/07
South African Jazz Fest
Artist played for
Freddie Jackson
8/9/07
Belgium Music Fest
Artist played for
Chic
8/1/07
Turks and Caicos Music Fest
Artist played for
Freddie Jackson
6/26/07
B.E.T. Music Awards
Artist played for:
Eddie LaVert
Gladys Knight
Pattie LaBelle
Jennifer Holiday
Yolanda Adams
Chaka Khan
Stevie Wonder
Eryka Badu
Jennifer Hudson
Ne-Yo
Ciara
Ray Chew. Thank you for always making me your #1 choice. Having the faith that I will get the job done means the world to me. You are my friend, my brother and I look up to you in many ways. Your work ethic is unmatched. Much love and respect!!
06/19/07
The History of The Drum. I produced, Co-wrote and Co-directed this piece at The National Black Theater in New York City.
www.upercussion.org
If you are interested in having this piece performed at your School, community center, Church or summer program, please contact me through website above.
04/23/07
The Hammerstein Ballroom...New York City
Artist played for:
CHIC
Paul Simon
I think, every musician has that one group or that one song that they've always dreamt about playing. Last night was one of my ones.
I've always wanted to play The Apollo, Madison Square Garden and "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover" with Paul Simon. Well... I can leave this earth in peace now. I've achieved my first set of goals. I made Mr. Simon smile when I hit the "Fifty Ways" groove. I was cheesing from ear to ear. Russell Graham, The Apollo keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist, was on the gig as well. He was making faces at me and cracking up laughing because he knew that this was one of my BIG goals. Steve Gadd would pat me on the back because I complimented that groove as if he were there himself. DREAMS DO COME TRUE!
04/17/07
Geneve, Switzerland
Artist played for:
CHIC
02/18/07
Gstaad, Switzerland
Artist played for:
CHIC (what a great group of people!!!)
1/21/07
B.E.T. Celebration of Gospel 2007
Artist played for:
Paster Shirley Ceaser
THE CARAVANS
Fred Hammond
Yolanda Adams
Ty Tribett
Kelly Price
KoKo
Fantasia
Juanita Bynum
Loretta Divine
Bishop Morton
Steve Harvey
Smokie Norful
Kirk Franklin
11/18/06
The Borgata (Atlantic City)
Artist played for:
Mario Cantone
8/29/06
Hurricane Katrina Benefit in New Orleans
Artist played for:
Stevie Wonder
Kim Burrell
Yolanda Adams
Mary Mary
Kirk Franklin
4/20/06 to 8/9/06
Toshi Kubota Japan tour
4/8/06
C.B.S. EarlyShow
Artist played for:
Pheobe Snow
3/15/06
Katie Couric and The Entertainment Industry Foundation Presented, Hollywood Meets Motown
Artist played for:
Chaka Khan
Martina McBride
Elvis Costello
James Taylor
Michael McDonald
John Legend
Chris Botti
Mary J. Blige
The Muppets
Bacon Brothers
Idina Menzel
Big & Rich
Ashford and Simpson
Sting
Vanessa Williams
Jordan Rudess
Steve Tyrell
Jimmy Fallon
Tina Fey
Whoopi Goldberg
Smokey Robinson
JINGLE PERFORMANCE/ARRANGE*/VOICE OVERS**:
Nick at Nite, 20th anniversary (V.O. as Kurtis Blow), Nike, "Smart Guy Theme" (W.B), Gatorade, Zima/Gold, Miller Genuine Draft*, Lean Cuisine, Coca Cola, Dark And Lovely*, NBA Hoops Player Cards**, Coors Lite, Domino's Pizza and Lucky Strike Cigarettes Motor Cycle Racing (Europe), Naya Water**, CBS This Morning, Honda, Burger King, Comedy voice overs for nationally syndicated Unites Stations Inc.
April 1990 to June 1991
A&R MANAGER OF R&B MUSIC, JIVE RECORDS.
Responsible for scouting new talent: soliciting and selecting music for artist: developing artist musical direction, theme and distinct sound: recording budgets: liaison for relationship between artist and record label.
Oversaw entire recording project from conception to production to mix and re-mixes. Coordinating band and music repertoire for artists live performances. Also, traveled with artists on tour serving as technical consultant and adviser.
*SPECIAL PROJECTS INCLUDED: Musical Coordinator for
Hi-Five live performance on the "Arsenio Hall Show"
May, 1979 to present
DRUMMER/VOCALIST:
Touring, Performance and Recording Credits:
Touring:
Toshi Kubota (Musical Director), D'Angelo, Groove Theory, Little Steven Van Zandt, Freddie Jackson, Stephanie Mills, Ashford and Simpson, Roberta Flack, Najee, Groove Theory, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Alex Bugnun, Glenn Jones, Ray Chew and The Crew (Apollo Amateur Night on the road), Alyson Williams, The Cover Girls, Glenn Jones, Tashan, Oran"Juice"Jones, Chuck Stanley, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, James Chance
Recording:
Aretha Franklin, Toshi Kubota, Sakura, India Irie, Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, Notorious BIG, Nas, Natalie Merchant, Queen Latifah(The Dana Owens Album), Frankie Knuckles, Najee, Brand Nubian, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Glenn Jones, Doug E.Fresh, Waymon Tisdale, Mike Phillips, Robin S, Groove Theory, Vertical Hold, Vincent Henry, Musique, Syleena Johnson, Christopher Williams, Steve Cole, Nelson Rangell, Rhian Benson, Ray Chew, Lesette Wilson, Ruby Turner, Miss Jones, Kobi, James Chance and The Contortions, Ray Chew and The Crew, Profyle, Bruce Saunders, Lynden David Hall
Live and TV performances:
Live:
Toshi Kubota, Luther Vandross, Vanessa Williams, BeBe Winans, Gerald LaVert, Boyz II Men, Lauryn Hill, Brian McKnight, Kurt Waylom, Yolanda Adams, Chaka Khan, Joss Stone, Lillias White, Gerald Albright, Jennifer Holliday, Glenn Jones, Miss Jones, Johnny Kemp, Tri-ni-ty 5-7, Vesta, Jerry Butler, Cheryl Lynn, Nancy Wilson, Regina Belle, Peabo Bryson, Usher, Kenny Latimore, Marillyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Melba Moore, Eddie Holman, Martha Wash, Gloria Lynne, Ray Chew, Sherry Winston, Doug E. Fresh, The Floaters, The Intruders, The Bluenotes, The Persuaders, Jean Carne, Nikki Richards, Kindred, Darlene Love
TV:
Stevie Wonder, Kirk Franklin, Pheobe Snow, LeToya, Ruben Studdard, John Legend, Donnie McClurkin, Lyfe, Tyreese, Shirley Ceaser, Anthony Hamilton, Gerald LeVert, Israel and The New Breed, Juanita Bynum, CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond, Lil Flip, BeBe Winans, Vicki Yohee, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Martha Munizzi, Bishop Paul Morton, Kelly Price, Freddie Jackson, Ty Tribett, KoKo, Yolanda Adams, Smokie Norful, Crystal Waters, Aaliyah, Micah Stampley, Billy Paul, Rakim, Darlene Love, Billy Paul, Eddie Holman, Toshi Kubota(M.D.), Musique Soulchild, Malira (M.D.), Christion (M.D.)
Television and Movie performance Credits:
The Caroline Rhea Show (Musical Director), It's Showtime at The Apollo (14 seasons and counting), The David Letterman Show (Subbed for Anton Figg with Paul Shaeffer CBS Orchestra), The Chris Rock Show, Last Call With Carson Daly, B.E.T. Celebration of Gospel 2006, 2007, C.B.S. EarlyShow, Sinbad in Aruba (HBO), Vibe, Planet Groove, The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show, The Cosby Show, A Different World, New York Under Cover, One Life To Live, Good Day New York, Maury, Good Morning America, Fox After Breakfast, NBC Today Show, Bamboozled, Top Of The Pops (London), Siempre En Domingo(Mexico), Jon Stewert, Pat Sajack, Regis and Kathie Lee, New Yorkers (NHK,Japan), Music Fair(Japan), Beat Street Sound Track, Love Jones Sound Track,
On the Ropes Soundtrack(Academy Award Nomination)
Education:
1973-1976 Adlai E. Stevenson H.S. Bronx, New York:
Music and Mechanical Drafting.
1977-1978 Bronx Community College Bronx New York:
Child Care
..
1975 New York Knickerbockers Drum and Bugle Corp.
..
2001 Cadets of New York Drum and Bugle Corps. Fundraiser.
2007 New York Lancers Drum and Bugle Corp Alumni committee member. WWW.NEWYORKLANCERSALUMNI.COM
2007 The Rolle Resource Group/The Universal Percussion Emsemble. WWW.UPERCUSSION.ORG
Endorsements:
1998 to present
Zildjian Cymbals:Thank you Sarah for all of your help.
Yamaha Drums: Joe Testa...YOU ARE THE MAN!!!
Vater Sticks: Chad Brandolini...thank you for the GOOD WOOD!
Remo: Matt...Good lookin' out. The best drumheads ever!
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