Ray "Bulldog" Drummond (November 23, 1946 – November 1, 2025) was an American jazz bassist.

Life and Work

Drummond initially played trumpet and French horn before switching to bass at the age of 14. He began studying political science at Stanford University in 1974, graduating with a bachelor's degree. He also played in the Stanford Jazz Workshop.

After moving to New York City in 1977, Drummond decided to pursue a career in music and became a professional musician. Since the 1980s, he has been a sought-after session musician on countless recording sessions. He has played on recordings with the Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet, as well as with Stan Getz, Johnny Griffin, Tom Harrell, Dusko Goykovich, Hank Jones, Lee Konitz, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, David Murray, the Sonny Clark Memorial Band, and Pharoah Sanders. Ray Drummond collaborated with James Spaulding, Horace Tapscott (Thoughts of Dar es Salaam, 1997), and Richard Wyands (As Long as There’s Music, 2001).
He also played on recordings by Renee Rosnes and Billy Drummond (no relation) under the name The Drummonds and released several albums under his own name with guest musicians such as Kenny Barron, Craig Handy, John Hicks, Branford Marsalis, and Joe Lovano. According to Tom Lord, Ray Drummond participated in 333 jazz recording sessions between 1970 and 2019.

He taught as an Assistant Professor of Jazz Theory and Practice at California State University.

Selected discography

1984 – Susanita (Nilva) with Manny Boyd, Branford Marsalis, John Hicks, Alvin Queen
1989 – Camera in a Bag (Criss Cross) with David Newman, Kenny Barron, Steve Nelson, Marvin Smitty Smith
1989 – One to One (DMP) duo recordings with Bill Mays
1990 – One to One 2 (DMP) with Bill Mays
1992 – Excursion (Arabesque) with Craig Handy, Joe Lovano, Danilo Pérez, Mor Thiam, Marvin Smitty Smith
1994 - Continuum (Arabesque Jazz) with Randy Brecker, Thomas Chapin, John Scofield, Kenny Barron Mor Thiam, Steve Nelson, Marvin Smitty Smith
1996 – Vignettes (Arabesque Jazz) with Gary Bartz, Chris Potter, Renee Rosnes, Billy Hart
1999 – 1.2.3.4 (Arabesque Jazz) with Craig Handy, Stephen Scott, Billy Hart

JOHNNY GRIFFIN QUARTET - Sophisticated Lady

"STROLLIN'": HOD O'BRIEN / RAY DRUMMOND at MEZZROW (July 17, 2015)

David Leonhardt, Ray Drummond bass, and Lewis Nash drums