Kat: Who has had the biggest musical influence on your career?

Ricky: My career spans a little over 20 years, so there have been SO many "musical" influences throughout. "Career" influences are a little easier. Early on (in my teens), I would say that Ray Barretto allowed me the freedom on stage to really develop as a pianist...and encouraged me as an arranger. Jimmy Sabater (of "To Be With You" fame) was a mentor as well. As a producer, I learned from observing people like Louie Ramirez during recording sessions. From there, it's "trial and error" as I continue to develop and reinvent my production sound...always with the artist's best interest.

Kat: As a child, Is there a moment regarding music that's most memorable for you?

Ricky: Just out of my teens, I was on a European tour and headed for the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. I'd heard George Benson would be there as well, which excited me because I'd recently worked with him and I wanted to gain the respect of some of my fellow musicians, who of course thought I was making the whole thing up. When we arrived, the hotel lobby was packed "wall-to-wall" with famous musicians and celebrities! When I finally saw Benson I tried getting his attention, but he didn't seem to even know me! My colleagues were nearby, saw the whole thing...and grinned mockingly. Embarrassed (and depressed), I went up to my room, got undressed and sulked in front of the TV set. Thirty minutes or so later, there's a knock on my door. I look through the peephole and I see it's one of my musician buddies. I answer in my underwear, only to find George Benson standing next to him! It seems Benson had looked for me, and he'd asked my friend where he could find me. Eventually, I realized I was still in my underwear...but I was walking on air for a week!

Kat: Do you play any other instruments?

Ricky: I consider myself something of a percussionist, though I'm not known for my work on that instrument (except on a few recordings). I've played the drums since age two and have always played different percussion instruments. I also play bass.

Kat: Aside from music, what other interests do you have?

Ricky: I'm something of a movie buff, so on my free time (yeah, right) I sit home and watch movies by my favorite directors or read up on film making.

Kat: What inspires you on a day to day basis?

Ricky: Anything that I hear that moves me.

Kat: When you are at home relaxing, whose CDs do you play?

Ricky: Depends on the day. One day it's Gonzalo Rubalcaba or Chick Corea...next day might be DMX or (still my favorite) Tupac Shakur. Some days it's Debussy or Stravinsky. Although it's Earth Wind & Fire and Stevie on any day!

Kat: What would you most like to convey to people (fans) about yourself?

Ricky: That I am accessible...approachable. Anyone who would take the time to want to talk to me or ask a question (or opinion) deserves my time. I'm very appreciative of that.

Kat: A lot of our members support you and your career, do you have a message for them?

Ricky: The luckiest person in the world is the one doing what he's always loved, being acknowledged for it, and earning a good living from it. It's a true privilege and a blessing. Thank you for sharing in my joy, and for being interested in what I might have to say...musically or otherwise.