Ronald "Ron" Frank Paley OM (born November 20, 1950)[1] is a Canadian composer, arranger, pianist, electric bassist, and big-band leader based in Winnipeg.
[5] In 2014, Ron Paley was presented with the BreakOut West "Heritage Award"[7]—an honor bestowed upon an artist with "a demonstrated, outstanding body of work over a long period of time -- a real icon in the community".
[8] The Ron Paley Big Band was formed in 1976,[2] and has since performed numerous jazz concerts and dances, appeared at Expo 86 as part of a western Canadian tour, and traveled widely in Manitoba.
[1][9] Paley was also the musical director for the University of Manitoba stage band from 1976 to 1986, and filled the same role for two local TV shows, CKND's 'Friday Night Live' (1987), and CBC's 'Jerry and Ziz' (1979).
[1] He also has written more that 25 pieces for big band alone (including the extended Interior Alternatives, 1989), as well as several third-stream items, notably Happiness Is a String Quartet Playing the Blues (1977), Saxophone Quintet (1981), and Shades of Jazz (1981).