Ralph MacDonald was a percussionist, producer, songwriter, performer and Grammy-award winner who lived from 1944-2011. He had roots in the Caribbean, but was born in New York. His songs were recorded by artists like Bill Withers, Grover Washington Jr, Roberta Flack, Harry Belafonte, Jimmy Buffett and others. The son of Calypsonian MacBeth the Great, Ralph MacDonald was a member of Harry Belafonte’s band at the age of 17. For over 20 years he was the percussionist in Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. His music included elements of many styles of music from Jazz, African Rhythms, Calypso, Samba and others.
This interview with Ralph MacDonald was taped using a cassette recorder in 2006 at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. It was broadcast on the radio, never to be heard again until now. He was a friend and also one of the most talented songwriters the world has known. He was a lovely man. His music will live on, and through his music, so will Ralph.
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