Raphael Ravenscroft

Raphael Ravenscroft, born in Stoke on Trent, is an English musician and author on saxophone play. He lives in Exeter.

He is best known for his work with Gerry Rafferty, performing the saxophone solo on "Baker Street" and his performances with Pink Floyd —tenor sax in The Final Cut—, Abba and Marvin Gaye. Other Ravenscroft performing credits include work with America, Kim Carnes, Mike Oldfield, Chris Rea, Robert Plant, Brand X, Hazel O'Connor and Bonnie Tyler.

In 1979, Ravenscroft released the solo album Her Father Didn't Like Me, Anyway (CBS Portrait JR 35683). In 1983, Ravenscroft released the track "Maxine" which gained airplay, but performed poorly on the charts. His track "A Whole Lot of Something Going On" was sampled by producer Heavy D on the track "Feel It In The Air", by Beanie Sigel.

In 2010, Ravenscroft played on albums and on sessions with Duffy, and Mary Hopkin and Daft Punk and Ben's Brother Jamie Hartman. Ravenscroft is also the author of several books on saxophone technique including the instruction book, The Complete Saxophone Player (1990).

In 2012 Raphael Ravenscroft created the music for a series of films featuring photographer Don McCullin and in 2011-2012 composed for several major advertising campaigns around the world. In summer 2012 he retired due to ill health and moved back to Devon. He married and divorced twice and separated from his third wife in 2009. His daughter, from his second marriage, is the renowned artist Scarlett Raven. He remains best known for his saxophone solo on Gerry Rafferty's 'Baker Street'.