Ron took over the clarinet duties in the Jim Cullum Jazz Band in May of 1999.Ron was born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, near Chicago, and while in high school played jobs with George Brunies, the Salty Dogs, Bobby Gordon, Dave Remington, Jim Beebe, and Eddie Davis. He was also a member of the Windjammers, a high school dixie group who played club dates around Chicago, had a weekly radio show, recorded for Argo Records, and appeared on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour. They rehearsed at Squirrel Ashcraft''s home in Evanston, and occasionally their rehearsals would turn into jam sessions with visiting greats such as Bobby Hackett, Bud Freeman, and Jimmy McPartland.

Ron went on to attend Princeton, graduating in 1969. While in college, he did a tour of the Orient with the Dukes of Dixieland led by Frank Assunto.  From 1970-1999, Ron was the lead saxophonist and clarinet soloist in the "President''s Own" U.S. Marine Band in Washington, D.C., performing thousands of concerts throughout the U.S. and Europe as well as regular appearances at the White House for the last six presidents. The band job left him plenty of free time to pursue his jazz playing, and he gigged regularly in the Washington, D.C. area with local players such as John Cocuzzi, Tom Roberts, David Sager, Brooks Tegler, and Larry Eanet. He appeared and recorded at many of "Fat Cat" McRee''s Manassas Jazz Festivals, and has played at many Princeton Reunions, with groups including Bob Haggart, Tom Pletcher, and Ed Polcer''s All-Stars. He also played occasionally with the Jim Cullum Jazz Band, and has recorded two albums for Arbors Records with John Sheridan''s "Dream Band" as well as playing at the 1997 Arbors March of Jazz, and the 1998 Odessa Jazz Festival.