Ronald Lashley, born and raised in Barbados, grew up showing great promise as a musician. He was a member of St. Michael’s Cathedral Choir under the late John Fletcher, D. Mus, who later became his teacher and mentor. At the age of 15, Ronald won a Flute Scholarship to North Dakota to the International Music Camp. That same summer, Ronald prepared to begin formal studies in London in Organ Building and Flute. During his Organ studies, Ronald worked as an apprentice rebuilding and tuning organs, studied organ with Ann Marsden Thomas and took courses in German and Music at the Morley College. Ronald traveled to the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Dusseldorf, Germany, to meet with and be mentored by his friend, Professor Johannes Geffert. As encouraged by Professor Geffert, Ronald left for Bremen, enrolled in German classes at the Goethe Institute, and studied Jazz Flute with Elias Leuvarden. Within 6 months Ronald became a fluent German speaker, receiving a certificate in written and spoken German. Soon after, Ronald won a Scholarship to the Berklee College of Music, where he studied with Billy Pierce and the late Matt Marvuglio, graduating with a B. Mus; and he then went on to Columbia University, graduating with an M.A in Music Education.

Ronald Lashley is recognized as a Flautist, Organist, Pianist, Bass Clarinetist, Music Educator, Producer, Composer, Recording Artist, etc… Ronald launched his first band, A Different Point of View, and his first album Soul Talk, at the 1996 Barbados Jazz Festival, performing Jazz Flute alongside renowned musicians including Al Jarreau, Ray Charles, Diane Reeves, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Ronald’s participation in the International Jazz scene as a Jazz Flutist has taken him all over the world, and in the company of some of the world’s best musicians. Some of Ronald’s musical collaborations, associations and friends include Dave Valentin, Hubert Laws, Paquito D’Rivera, Lew Tabackin, Brandford Marsalis, Patato Valdez Lincoln Goines, Robby Ameen, Ron Carter, Reggie Workman, Marcus Miller, Ruben Rodriguez, Kai Eckhardt, Dawn Bishop from Sergio Mendes, and Will Calhoun, to name a few.

Hawthplay Records, LLC, a NY based independent recording label, was created and launched by Ronald in 2014, with the goal of scouting and developing local and international undiscovered talent. Ronald has produced several singers, rappers, and musicians, and continues to create and produce original music for himself, and both Hawthplay and independent Artists.

Ronald’s subsequent albums include Flutes of Praise, Fretless Memories, Tropical Reunion, Bossa Lyfe, and Memories of Paradise, a soon to be released album memorializing his mentor and friend, Dave Valentin.

As a result of spending many years in NY, Ronald demonstrates his tremendous love of music through a masterful blend and fusion of genres and musical styles, including Jazz, Hip Hop, R&B, Blues, Classical, Afro-Caribbean, Brazilian, and Soul. Ronald has taken his mastery of music and composition and created a brand-new musical style like none other, which he likes to call Hip Hop Jazz or “Hip Jazz.” His latest Smooth Jazz albums include Brooklyn Feeling, released on October 20, 2019, single “Love your Love,” released on December 3, 2020, and album Zero to 100, released on December 9, 2020. Check him out on iTunes, Amazon Music, Shazam, Google Play Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and more! Ronald’s music has received and continues to receive airplay on radio stations throughout the U.S. and abroad, including KKFI, KUAW, WHUR, BBC in London, and JAZZ.FM91 in Toronto, Canada.

Ronald Lashley is always on the go, and spends much of his time arranging, producing, recording, and creatively using his God given gifts to spread original, innovative music around the world! Stay tuned for performances from his new band, Notes of Fusion!