Home » Member Page

Ross LeCompte

born 1935,Paterson,NJ, then played in US Army bands following high school and Inherited textile chemical business which he abandoned for music career

About Me

Following high School played in the 87th Inf. band , the 10th Div. band and the USEUR band all in Germany. Worked and studied music in North Jersey and New York City with Tony Argo, Ray Starling, Billy Triglia, Johnny Bello,Don Ellis, Tony Parenti, Cozy Cole. Performed at the Metropol ,Birdland and Jilly's. limited technique and harmonic knowlege was overcome by the quality of his tone and feeling. Relocated to Phoenix Arizona and southern California in the early 70's with Ray Starling, guitarist Rick Seltzer and trombonist Joe Ortolano where they performed for the VIP'S agency and later with Tommy Reed's Southwest booking agency. Ross also worked at the Arizona Biltmore Resort with Lester Lanin and continued that relationship in California and New York. Ross was with the Merv Griffen Show, briefly in the late '70s.He was involved in an accident in Santa Monica when he severed his right hand which was re-attached at the UCLA medical center in Torrance, CA. Continuing rehabilitation led him to complete a counseling education and ordination as a Religios Science minister, Continuing his rehab from the accident Ross married his present wife Alta, a journalist, then relocated to southern Virginia where Ross teaches music and directs a Jazz Festival as well as the Southside Virginia Jazz Society. He has 4 children from a previous marriage and his wife Alta has 3 children from her previous marriage. Records include : Topsy - Cozy Cole, Underground Railroad - Cozy Cole, Brown Shoe Rag- Tony Parenti, Its A Good Life - Ray Starling ( Duke Niles Music ) Movie Scores - The Beast Within, A Star Is Born and Stuck On Each Other - ABC