Ralph Alessi is an ECM recording artist and acclaimed American jazz trumpeter, composer, and educator known for his distinctive and innovative approach to jazz improvisation and composition. Born in San Rafael, California, in 1963, he was raised in a musical family. His father, Joseph Alessi, was a classical trumpeter and his mother, Maria Leone, an opera singer. In addition, his brother Joe Alessi is a world renowned classical trombonist. His upbringing in this environment laid the foundation for his deep connection to music.

He studied at the California Institute of the Arts, where he pursued both classical and jazz music, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (and master’s degree in jazz bass). Alessi’s versatility in different musical traditions has contributed to his unique sound, blending classical precision with avant-garde jazz.

Alessi relocated to New York City in 1991, and since then has  collaborated with many prominent musicians, such as Steve Coleman, Ravi Coltrane, Jason Moran, Don Byron, Fred Hersch and Uri Caine. His own ensembles and recordings showcase his skill as both a bandleader and a composer, with 13 albums as a leader. This include  Baida (2013), released on ECM Records, receiving widespread acclaim for its complex, lyrical compositions and improvisations. Baida was e shortlisted by several publications as one of the best jazz albums of the year. His latest ECM release in 2024 was It’s Always Now which writer Jim Macnie proclaimed as having a “poignant lyricism.” In 2025, he will record and release his 5th album on ECM records featuring Matt Mitchell, John Hebert, Ches Smith and his brother Joe, appearing together on record for the first time. 

In addition to his performance career, Alessi is also a committed educator. He has been on the faculty at institutions such as the Eastman School of Music and the New England Conservatory, and currently the founder and director of the School for Improvisational Music in Brooklyn, New York as well as on faculty at the Hochschule der Künste Bern in Switzerland. His teaching emphasizes creative exploration and improvisation, influencing a new generation of jazz musicians.

Alessi’s music is celebrated for its intricate, emotive, and expressive qualities, blending technical mastery with an adventurous spirit. His innovative work continues to shape contemporary jazz and inspire both listeners and fellow musicians.

“Alessi is an individualist, with a style and sound all his own” Downbeat Magazine