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 a professional 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, Dawn Bishop and Sergio Mendes, to name a few.

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, some of which include Jazz, Hip Hop, R&B, Blues, Classical, Afro-Caribbean, Brazilian, and Neo-Soul. Ronald has taken his mastery of music and composition and created a brand-new musical style like none other, which he and collaborating vocal Artist Neika Jewelle have branded “Hip Jazz.”

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. Uncovering and showcasing additional abilities, Ronald put his music recording engineering talents to work, creating hip, professional, industry standard tracks from scratch, mostly playing all the instruments himself. Ronald has produced several singers, rappers, and musicians, and continues to create and produce original music for himself and other labels and independent Artists. He now has a brand-new recording label, launched in 2024, called Notes on the Clef Records, a post pandemic musical rebirth, along with a new and exciting band to feature the groovy “Hip Jazz” music called Notes of Fusion. Notes of Fusion had its musical debut at the Arlo Rooftop in Manhattan in August of 2024, with latest hot single “Gimme Love,” and they are primed and ready to light up the Jazz Festivals here in the US and abroad, introducing a new musical movement throughout the world!

Ronald’s latest albums include A Moment in Christmas Time, Flutes of Praise Volume 2, Brooklyn Feeling and Zero to 100. He has also released original and cover singles “Missing You,” “Rock wit U,” “Love Your Love,” “Umbrella,” “Until You Come Back to Me,” “People Make the World Go Round,” “Water,” and “Gimme Love.” Ronald is presently recording 3 Brazilian albums simultaneously, Bossa Solstice, Bossa Connection and Bossa Moonlight, and just completed Bossa Lyfe. He is also recording his long-awaited album Rootsy and is also completing Memories of Paradise, a soon to be released album featuring his mentor and friend, the late and great Flautist, Dave Valentin. Other upcoming albums include Tropical Reunion and Fretless Memories. Ronald’s music has received and continues to receive airplay on radio stations throughout the U.S. and abroad, some of which include: KKFI 90.1 FM and KUAW 91.1 FM out of Kansas City, WHUR 96.3 FM out of Washington DC, BBC in London, JAZZ.FM91 in Toronto, 92.9 VOB radio in Barbados, WWUH 91.3 FM, Urban Influencer radio and WRTC 89.3 FM out of Hartford, CT.

In February of 2026, Ronald hosted a Black History Month community event at the Brooklyn Library for Arts & Culture, where he launched his music video, “Your Love for Me,” along with a live performance with the Notes of Fusion band. Ronald recently performed for the Northeast Pennsylvania 2026 Cavalcade of Jazz Festival, collaborating with many local and international artists. Ronald and the Notes of Fusion are scheduled to be the headliners for the 2027 Cavalcade of Jazz!

Look out for Ronald’s latest album, Bossa Lyfe, which he will debut on August 10th at the Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Festival, hosted by the Hartford Jazz Society, and via radio show interviews on August 5th, 2026 with Lorna Diane on Mixed Bag of Jazz WRTC 89.3 FM, and with Maurice Robertson on Evening Jazz on WWUH 91.3 FM. He will be interviewed by Cheryl Holder shortly after, on VOB 92.9 FM Barbados radio.

Ronald and the Notes of Fusion are on the move, and will keep you grooving, taking you on a musical journey around the world with thrilling “Hip Jazz!”