Ralph Raymond Peña was an American West Coast jazz and modern jazz double bassist and composer from Jarbidge, Nevada, born on February 24, 1927. He began his professional career at age 15 with Jerry Austin and later established himself in the San Francisco jazz scene while attending college. Peña collaborated with artists including Art Pepper, Cal Tjader, and Stan Getz. In 1955, he was a founding member of Shelly Manne & His Men and joined the Jimmy Giuffre trio from 1956 to 1957. Between 1958 and 1962, he performed in a duo with pianist Pete Jolly. During the 1960s, Peña accompanied vocalists Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nancy Wilson, and contributed to various film soundtracks. His studio album Master of the Bass was released in 1961. Peña died on May 20, 1969, in Mexico City after being struck by an automobile while working on a film score.
