Ralph Carney

Early years

Carney was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, the youngest of three siblings. His father worked in polyester research for Goodyear, and his mother encouraged his musical interests. He began learning banjo, violin, and harmonica in eighth grade, later taking up saxophone at 15. He also worked at a mall record store.

Career

Carney began professionally as a founding member of Tin Huey. He recorded or performed with many artists including Dieselhed, Marc Ribot, the B-52's, Elvis Costello, Les Claypool, St. Vincent, and Medeski Martin & Wood. In 1981 he was a lead member of the Swollen Monkeys, whose album Afterbirth of the Cool was produced by Hal Willner. He released solo albums and was in the Oranj Symphonette.

He led Carneyball Johnson, playing saxophones, Turkish clarinet, piccolo, trumpet, percussion, and vocals. He collaborated with the Black Keys on Attack & Release (2008) and with his nephew Patrick on the BoJack Horseman theme in 2014. He toured with They Might Be Giants in fall 2009, recorded with Black Francis for a silent film score in 2008, and guested with Yo La Tengo and Medeski Martin & Wood in 2010 and 2011. He performed on Hal Willner-produced shows at UCLA's Royce Hall.

He composed music for poetry records by Robert Creeley and Ira Cohen, and performed on a Kathy Acker record. He contributed to Web Premiere Toons for CartoonNetwork.com in 2001.

Tin Huey released a compilation in 2009. He collaborated with David Greenberger on Oh Pa (2011). After 2009 he led Ralph Carney's Serious Jass Project, issuing Seriously in July 2011.

Personal life

Carney's nephew, Patrick Carney, drums for the Black Keys, and the two worked together on the BoJack Horseman theme. His brother, Jim Carney, was an Akron Beacon Journal reporter. Carney passed away at 61 in 2017 after a fall at his Portland home. He is survived by his daughter, Hedda, and partner, Megan Hinchliffe.