About Ramon

An accomplished jazz musician, educator, and bandleader based in New York City, Ramon's musical journey began in Cape Town, South Africa, where he earned a Bachelor of Music with Distinction from the University of Cape Town, majoring in jazz performance. While at UCT,  he was already the resident electric bass player for the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 2006, Ramon was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to pursue graduate studies in jazz at New York University, where he earned a Master of Music degree. As a Fulbright Scholar, he studied with renowned artists including Joe Lovano and Billy Joel.

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Upon graduating from NYU, Ramon began working extensively as a musician, music director, and bandleader in New York City. He served as Music Director and bass player for the A Team Orchestra, Music Director for singer Blue Nefertiti, and Music Director and bandleader for the Starlight Orchestra, and now his own band, Onyx. He also worked as an upright bass player with the world-famous Cedar Lake Ballet Company.

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Ramon has collaborated with Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated artists across genres, including jazz, pop, R&B, and more. Performance venues have included renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Blue Note in New York, as well as major festivals worldwide.

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In addition to performance,  he is passionate about music education, having given workshops and served as a visiting professor at numerous colleges, universities, and high schools.

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Ramon's accomplishments have been recognized through prestigious awards and grants, including a Fulbright Scholarship, NYU Jazz Scholarship, and the Andrew Mellon Foundation Scholarship. He continues to perform, teach, and serve as a passionate ambassador for jazz music, and its application and impact across the entire spectrum of the current-day musical landscape.