 “I’m totally content lurking in the shadows as a sideman. If people like what I do, and notice my playing, that’s great.”
Though keyboardist Ron Reinhardt, by his own definition, is the quintessential sideman, those of us who have an interest in the musicians behind the musicians know that this isn’t really the case. Ron is an in demand keyboard player who has played with so many musicians that his resume is a "who’s who" of the smooth jazz genre.
He first came to our attention when we saw him with Richard Elliott and we’ve been seeing him ever since. Ron has been a part of Richard Elliott’s band since 1992. His association with Elliott led him to the Guitars & Saxes 1997 tour, and then to become a frequent member of Rick Braun’s touring band. Some of the musicians he’s played with over the years include Peter White, Jeff Golub, Warren Hill, Craig Chaquico, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Jonathan Butler, Kim Waters, Steve Oliver, Ricky Lawson, David Sanborn & Marcus Miller, Steve Cole, Marc Antoine, Oleta Adams, Brenda Russell, Everett Harp, Paul Jackson Jr., Bobby Lyle, Brian Culbertson, and Paul Brown. The list goes on. Outside of the smooth jazz genre, Ron has played with Jeff Berlin, Ira Sullivan, and Nat Adderly. In fact, Ron credits bass legend Jeff Berlin as the one who started his career on the path that it has eventually taken.
 Music runs in the Reinhardt family. Both his father and his brother, Dave, are musicians. Dave is a drummer, and their father is a multi-instrumentalist. “My Dad is a professional musician. He plays sax, flute, clarinet, and vocals. He still works three nights a week.” With that kind of background, it was a logical and natural progression for Ron to become a musician. He began playing keyboards when he was around 7 or 8, but it was “just goofing around.” Lessons came later, around age 10 or 11. The keyboard is the only instrument Ron chose to play, and he’s been playing it ever since. He was influenced by some of the great contemporary jazz musicians of the time: Ramsey Lewis, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinful, Joey DeFrancesco, and others. Ron would one day love to play with Pat Methany, even though, “he’s in a whole different league from me.”
When not playing music, Ron can be found communing with nature. His interests include backpacking, camping, hiking, and kayaking. “I think because I make my living around crowds of people, I crave the solitude and peace that I find in nature.”
While playing the keyboards remains his primary musical focus, Ron would like to try and focus on writing. He enjoys being a side musician, and will continue to play shows and tours across the country. Look for Ron Reinhart behind the keys at one of your next smooth jazz concerts.
- Mary Bentley |
