About Ricky 
Ricky Lawson
At the age of 16, Ricky's natural talent skyrocketed him into a major career. Since then he has played with names like Phil Collins, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Bette Midler, Lionel Richie, George Duke, The Brothers Johnson, Quincy Jones & many more.Early on, Ricky developed expertise in jazz, country, pop, R&B, funk and Latin rhythms - a versatility that allows him to play with anyone he wants to. He has earned his jobs and professional reputation by always being well prepared for his gigs. Some of the biggest #1 and multi-platinum singles and albums have featured Ricky's impressive talents, including Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You", Anita Baker's "Sweet Love", James Ingram's "I Don't Have The Heart" and Lionel Richie's "Dancing On The Ceiling".A co-founder of THE YELLOWJACKETS, Ricky received a Grammy in 1986 for co-writing the hit song "And You Know That" on the album Shades, which he co-produced. He also co-wrote The Pointer Sisters hit "Uh-Uh", co-produced their album "Seriously Slammin", and the Fattburger hit "Good News". He has been nominated for a total of 4 Grammys to date.Ricky is affectionately known throughout the music industry as the "Drummer to the Stars", and is the most well known and respected percussionist in the world. Ricky was the featured drummer on Steely Dan's Grammy winning Album "Two Against Nature", Lionel Richie's release "Renaissance", the soundtrack to the blockbuster film "Brothers", and the score for "Anna and The King", starring Jodie Foster & Chow Yun-Fat.Though always in demand as a touring musician and session player, Ricky wanted to expand his musical arsenal, as a recording artist and producer himself. His first solo album, titled RICKY LAWSON & FRIENDS, moved this musical genius another bold step forward in his career by allowing him to write, arrange, produce and perform on every track of this project. With a little help from some of his friends, including Gerald Albright, Phil Collins, George Duke, Sheila E., James Ingram, Boney James, Al Jarreau, Kirk Whalum and Vesta Williams, Ricky conjures up a unique and engaging blend of R&B, Pop and Jazz guaranteed to satisfy a wide range of musical appetites.In 2008, Ricky put together one of the best Classic Christmas CD's of the year, "RICKY LAWSON'S CHRISTMAS WITH FRIENDS". With special guests Ron Reinhardt and Philippe Saisse on acoustic piano, Rick Braun on trumpet, Richard Elliot, Michael Paulo, and Steve Alaniz on sax, Paul Brown, Adam Hawley, & Ian Kenne on guitar, Lenny Castro on percussion, Roberto Vally and Sekou Bunch on bass. This CD is a destined to become a staple in holiday music playlists all over the world. 2012 will be an exciting year, with several new projects in the works for Ricky. Stay Tuned!
Discography 
Discography
Projects & Artists
Page 1 1975
1976
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1984
Mystic Voyage
Vibrations
Just Family/Bad for Me
Destiny
Destiny [Expanded Edition]
Starbooty
Blue Valentine
Bad for Me
Brazilian Love Affair
Carry On
Follow the Rainbow
Master of the Game
Inside Story
Come to My World
GG
Inherit the Wind
Special Things
Blossom
Crazy for You
New Affair
Yellowjackets
All This Love
Casino Lights: Live at Montreux, Switzerland
Bet Cha Say That to All the Girls
Continuation
No Frills
Robbery
Pipes of Peace
In London
Let's Hear It for the Boy
Live in London
Somebody's Watching Me
Roy Ayers
Roy Ayers
Dee Dee Bridgewater
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5
Ubiquity
Tom Waits
Dee Dee Bridgewater
George Duke
Flora Purim
George Duke
George Duke
Robben Ford
Michael Wycoff
Garry Glenn
Wilton Felder
The Pointer Sisters
L. Subramaniam
Earl Klugh
The Emotions
Yellowjackets
DeBarge
Various Artists
Sister Sledge
Philip Bailey
Bette Midler
Teena Marie
Paul McCartney
Al Jarreau
Deniece Williams
Al Jarreau
Rockwell
Page 2 1984
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1991
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1991
Ramsey Lewis
Maze
Johnny Gill
Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets
Jeffrey Osborne
Maurice White
Alexander Zonjic
James Ingram
Yellowjackets
Chet Atkins
Patrice Rushen
Anita Baker
Lime Spiders
Earth, Wind & Fire
Deniece Williams
Al Jarreau
Jeffrey Osborne
The Pointer Sisters
George Duke
Bobby Lyle
Clive Griffin
James Ingram
Maze
Michael Paulo
Whitney Houston
Nancy Wilson
Dianne Reeves
Sara Hickman
Anita Baker
Gladys Knight
Keith Washington
Margaret Bell
Two of Us
Can't Stop the Love
Chemistry
Mirage a Trois
Samurai Samba
Emotional
Maurice White
Neon
Never Felt So Good
Shades
Street Dreams
Watch Out
Rapture
Cave Comes Alive!
Touch the World
As Good as It Gets
Heart's Horizon
One Love: One Dream
Serious Slammin'
Thief in the Night
Ivory Dreams
Step by Step
It's Real
Silky Soul
Fusebox
I'm Your Baby Tonight
Lady with a Song
Never Too Far
Shortstop
Compositions
Good Woman
Make Time for Love
Over & Over
Page 3 1991
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1994
Sheila E.
Sheila E.
Earl Klugh
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Kenny Loggins
James Ingram
Tevin Campbell
Dianne Reeves
Bobby Brown
Brian McKnight
Various Artists
By All Means
Rachelle Ferrell
Ray Simpson
Kevyn Lettau
Fattburger
John Beasley
Kirk Whalum
Randy Crawford
Keith Washington
Gene Rice
Regina Belle
James Ingram
Dave Koz
Bette Midler
Bette Midler
J. Spencer
Norman Brown
Randy Crawford
Everette Harp
Fourplay
Howard Hewett
Howard Hewett
Sex Cymbal
Sex Cymbal [German]
Best of Earl Klugh, Vol. 1
Different Lifestyles
Leap of Faith
Greatest Hits: The Power of Great Music
T.E.V.I.N.
Dianne Reeves
Bobby
Brian McKnight
Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration
It's Real
Rachelle Ferrell
Ray Simpson
Simple Life
Best of Fattburger
Cauldron
Caché
Don't Say It's Over
You Make It Easy
Gene Rice
Passion
Always You
Lucky Man
Experience the Divine
Experience the Divine: Greatest Hits
Chimera
After the Storm
Best of Randy Crawford & Friends [#1]
Common Ground
Elixir
It's Time
It's Time [2006 Reissue]
Page 4 1994
1994
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1997
1997
1998
1998
1998
Forbidden Fruit
Intuition
Pure Pleasure
Collection
Evolution: The Polydor Anthology
I Got No Kick Against Modern Jazz
In This Life
Who Are You
Esquire Jazz Collection: Crosstown Traffic
Let's Go Bang
Best of David Benoit 1987-1995
Best of Al Jarreau [Warner Bros.]
France [WEA]France
France [WEA]France Gall
People Make the World Go 'round [Mojazz]
Best of My Love: The Best of the Emotions
Gonna Take a Miracle : Best of Deniece Williams
Best of Randy Crawford
From the Heart
Louder Than Words
True Love
No Truer Words
Best of Roy Ayers: Love Fantasy
Adventures in Jazz
L.A. Jazz Syndicate
Estar Sin Ti
Best of George Duke: The Elektra Years
Best of Smooth Jazz [Warner]
Baby Come to Me: The Best of Regina Belle
MTV Unplugged NYC 1997
Very Best of Latin Jazz [Global TV]
Rock and Roll Doctor: Lowell George Tribute
Barney's Great Adventure
Marion Meadows
Pauline Wilson
Phil Perry
Yellowjackets
Roy Ayers
Various Artists
Kirk Whalum
Bill Cantos
Various Artists
Jennifer Love Hewitt
David Benoit
Al Jarreau
France Gall
France Gall
Various Artists
The Emotions
Deniece Williams
Randy Crawford
Daryle Chinn
Lionel Richie
Michael O'Neill
Mark Portmann
Roy Ayers
Bob Mamet
L.A. Jazz Syndicate
Mijares
George Duke
Various Artists
Regina Belle
Babyface
Various Artists
Various Artists
The Barney Movie
Page 5 1998
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1999
1999
1999
Forever Loved
This Is Jazz, Vol. 37
Formas de Vida
Best of Smooth Jazz, Vol. 3 [Warner]
Seven
Simon BirchOriginal Soundtrack
Nu Nation Project
Christmas with Babyface
For You
Keep the Faith
Quiero Mas
#1's
#1's [Import Bonus Tracks]
My Love Is Your Love
My Love Is Your Love [Australia Bonus Remix CD]
Prince of Egypt [Inspirational]Original Soundtrack
One WorldJohn Tesh
Funky Jazz Party, Vol. 2: Love Jams
Shanice
Real as I Wanna Be
Double Scale: A Windham Hill Jazz Collection
Brent Jones & The T.P. Mobb
First Things 1st
Classics in the Key of G
Camino Para Ti
Hot Coko
Skyy's The Limit
Greatest Hits [Sony]
Somethin' Bout Love
Dance
Dance [Japan]
24-7
VH1 Divas Live 1999
Jimmy Reid
George Duke
Yaire Bateria
Various Artists
Night Ranger
Simon Birch
Kirk Franklin
Babyface
Kirk Whalum
Faith Evans
Patricia Manterola
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Whitney Houston
WhitneyHouston
Various Artists
John Tesh
Various Artists
Shanice
Cliff Richard
Doc Powell
Brent Jones
Ricky Lawson
Kenny G
Laura Miller
Coko
Aaron Skyy
Nancy Wilson
Brian Culbertson
Dave Koz
Dave Koz
Kevon Edmonds
Various Artists
Page 6 1999
1999
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2002
2002
2002
2003
2003
Faith: A Holiday Album
Best of Yellowjackets
Anna and the KingOriginal Soundtrack
Live, Vol. 1
Two Against Nature
Two Against Nature [DVD Audio]
Eternity
Not That Kind [Bonus Track]
Vivid
Another Door Opens
My Romance: An Evening with Jim Brickman
Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya
Paradise
Nightshift
Christmas with Yolanda Adams
Brothers [2001]Original Soundtrack
Renaissance
Ricky Lawson and Friends
Joy Enriquez
Joy Enriquez [Import]
BeBe Live and Up Close
Best of Kirk Whalum
Sweet Love: The Very Best of Anita Baker
Best of Anita Baker
Groovology
Everything Must Change
New Found Freedom
Hits
Joyful
Just Whitney
Just Whitney [Bonus DVD]
Church: Songs of Soul and Inspiration
Flying Without Wings
Kenny G
Yellowjackets
Various Artists
Lea Salonga
Steely Dan
Steely Dan
Norman Connors
Anastacia
Michael Lington
Jeff Kashiwa
Jim Brickman
Boyz II Men
Jared Douglas
Gregg Karukas
Yoland Adams
Various Artists
Lionel Richie
Ricky Lawson
Joy Enriquez
Joy Enriquez
BeBe Winans
Kirk Whalum
Anita Baker
Anita Baker
Gerald Albright
Michael Lington
Tom Scott
Randy Crawford
Bobby Lyle
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Various Artists
Ruben Studdard
Page 7 2003
2003
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2005
Essential Babyface
Justin Guarini
Motown
Motown [UK Bonus Track]
Make Me Better
Voice
Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Keb Mo
So Damn Happy
Twist of Motown
Soulful
Essential George Duke
Weeper
Grammy Nominees 2004
No. 1 Smooth Jazz Radio Hits [Shanachie #1]
Keep It Simple
Giving Back
Straight and Smooth
It's About Time
Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix
Straight Ahead
Pure
My Everything
Words & Music: John Mellencamp's Greatest Hits
My Favorite Time of the Year
Devoted Spirits: A Tribute to Earth Wind and Fire
Journey to Eden
Come on Through My Door
Go For The Ride
Kite Hill
Live at the Funk Lounge
Nightlife
Ultimate Easy Album
Anthology
Babyface
Justin Guarini
Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald
Ann Nesby
Junior Maile
Keb' Mo'
Aretha Franklin
Various Artists
Ruben Studdard
George Duke
A. Ray Fuller
Various Artists
Various Artists
Keb' Mo'
David Garfield
Bobby Lyle
Alyson Williams
Various Artists
Ellis Hall
Boney James
Anita Baker
John Mellencamp
Dionne Warwick
Devoted Spirits
Dov
Ronee Martin
Vernon Bush
James Moody
Val Watson
Paul Taylor
Various Artists
Perri
Page 8 2005
2005
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2007
Ultimate Collection
In the House
Love and Life
Christmas Fantasy
Greatest Holiday Classics
Greatest Holiday Classics [Japan B.Track]
Time to Love
Red Rocks Platinum
Hurricane Relief: Come Together Now
Flow
Listen: Music from the Motion Picture Dreamgirls
20th Century Masters - Millennium Collection:
The Best of the Yellowjackets
HeadBoppin
Timeless LoveSmokey Robinson
Testimony, Vol. 1: Life & RelationshipIndia.Arie
Miles HighSkip Martin
Mirage a Trois/Club NocturneYellowjackets
B'day [Bonus Tracks/Bonus DVD]
B'day [Deluxe Edition]
B'day [EU Bonus Tracks]
B'day [Japan Bonus Track]
Givin' It Up
50th Anniversary Collection
Dreamgirls [Original Soundtrack] [Deluxe Edition]
Don't Get No Better
L.A. Instrumentals
Live!
Ready to Play
Listen
Gold
Greatest Hits
Ultimate George Duke
Michael McDonald
Bob Sinclar
Latoya London
Anita Baker
Kenny G
Kenny G
Stevie Wonder
John Tesh
Various Artists
Lynne Fiddmont
Beyoncé
Yellowjackets
Paul "Shilts" Weimar
Smokey Robinson
India Arie
Skip Martin
Yellowjackets
Beyoncé
Beyoncé
Beyoncé
Beyoncé
George Benson
Smokey Robinson
Original Soundtrack
Patrick Lamb
Simon Høirup
Nina
Nils
Beyoncé
Brian McKnight
Fattburger
George Duke
Page 9 2007200720072007200720072007
2008
2008
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2008
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2008
20082008
2008
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2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
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2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
2010
2010
If Only...
Ladies' Choice
RnR
Missing You
Drum Duets, Vol. 1
One Less Dream
Jazz Club: Jazz for the Road
Beautiful Wedding: Jazz for the Wedding Dinner
Monglong
Better Than Anything
It's Good to Have Friends [Bonus Tracks]
Movin'
Dolce Vita
Greatest Hits
Listen
Tim Bowman
This Christmas (Borders)
Up Close and Personal
Very Best of Jeff Kashiwa
Rock Steady
Only the Best of Dee Dee Bridgewater
All It Takes
Anjulie
Time Flies When You're Having Fun
Collection: Whitney Houston/Whitney/My Love
Is Your Love
Greatest Holiday
Oh Happy Day: All Star Music
Soulbook
Gregorie Howard
KnightHarkness
Collector's Pack
Kirk Franklin: Double Play
Howard Hewett
Paul Taylor
Rick Braun
Peabo Bryson
John Wackerman
Morris Brothers
Various Artists
Various Artists
Lee Seung Hwan
Nnenna Freelon
Al Turner
Al Turner
Warren Hill
Dave Koz
Terry Dexter
Tim Bowman
Aretha Franklin
Nils
Jeff Kashiwa
Richard Elliot
DeeDee Bridgewater
Rick Braun
Anjulie
Smokey Robinson
Whitney Houston
Kenny G
Various Artists
Rod Stewart
Gregorie Howard
KnightHarkness
Michael Lington
Kirk Franklin
Page 10 On the Rural Route 7609 [Special Edition]
Pushing the Envelope
Come to My World/On the Line
Now and Then
What The Funk?
First Impressions
John Mellencamp
Gerald Albright
Michael Wycoff
Smokey Robinson
Nils
Hulon
2010
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