Lyle Ritz

Lyle Ritz (1930-2017) was an American ukulele player and session musician, best known for his innovative jazz ukulele playing. He is often credited with elevating the ukulele from a novelty instrument to a respected medium for jazz and other sophisticated musical styles.

Ritz was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He initially played the string bass before discovering the ukulele. He moved to Los Angeles in the 1950s and became a highly sought-after session musician, contributing bass lines to numerous pop, rock, and television recordings.

In the 1950s, Ritz began exploring the ukulele's potential beyond its traditional Hawaiian and novelty applications. He developed a unique chord-melody style, arranging and performing jazz standards, which showcased the instrument's versatility and harmonic capabilities.

His landmark album, "How About Uke?" (1957), is widely regarded as a groundbreaking work that established his reputation as a master of jazz ukulele. He followed this with other well-received albums, continuing to explore jazz standards and original compositions.

Throughout his career, Lyle Ritz performed extensively, both as a solo artist and with other musicians. He also taught ukulele, influencing a new generation of players. He remained an active performer and educator until his death in 2017, leaving behind a significant legacy in the world of ukulele music.