Remembering Baj Ridgell, a Kind and Talented Musician

Community News, Entertainment — By Buddy Sampson on October 31, 2026 at 12:05 am

Baj Ridgell.

Mbaji.

I was devastated to hear of his passing earlier in the year. His passing hit me like a ton of bricks, because I was with him a short time before his untimely passing.

I knew him as Baj, but he was born Bradley Elmer Ridgell on July 14^, 1949 and passed away May 5, 2026. He was, in recent years, one of The Scoop LA’s biggest advertisers. But he was much, much more than an advertiser. He was a dear friend, who I could always call on for advice.  He took out ads at times with The Scoop LA when we, like many businesses in Los Angeles were struggling to stay afloat amid economic changes. He didn’t have to do that. He could have easily went to our competitors, but he was a loyal advertiser.

That Brother was a tower of a man, and I was Blessed to have him invite me to his studio to record bass for a reggae tune he was writing. Due to a breakdown in communication, I learned the wrong part, but he paid me anyway. I didn’t want to accept the money, but he insisted I take the money- that’s the kind of guy he was. I had plans on making the session up to him.

Then a few weeks later, I heard the devastating news.

I hadn’t been that stunned and devastated in years. I never in a million years expected that to happen. He told me he was under the weather, but I didn’t expect that, no, not all.

Even though it’s months later, I’m still having a lot of trouble processing his passing.

Folks he was The Scoop LA’s top advertiser. But that’s not why I’m devastated. He was kind, patient and I looked up to him as a bit of a mentor.

He wrote for all kinds of people including Donald Byrd and the Blackbirds. But his legacy, is much, much more towering than being a producer and songwriter.

The quality that defined Baj Ridgell was his huge, huge heart. It’s been said before, it’s not original, but Baj Ridgell, Mbaji was simply a walking heart, personified in a person.

I was very disappointed, in many ways, because when I went to the studio, which was not far from where I lived, I was hoping we’d become closer friends, the kind of friends that would watch sports together and hang out. And when I went to the studio and met his lovely wife Marla, who was kind to me from the moment I met her, I knew that I really wanted them as closer friends. Sometimes, Baj and I would spend hours on the phone, not only talking about music and business, we’d be talking about politics and our favorite topic-sports. He would talk trash to me if my team, The Eagles lost, and boy do I miss that.

I had the amazing honor of officiating his going home ceremony and it’ll be something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life. Mbaji, Baj practiced the Muslim faith, so I was sure to have included a Muslim prayer as well as a Christian prayer to begin the celebration of this wonderful King’s life. I can only hope that I did him justice, and I knew there were going to be other musicians there and although Baj actually never had a chance to hear me play, I was determined to play for his celebration. And I did, but more on that later.

Bradley Elmer Ridgell was born in Chicago, Illinois to Lillian Dyce and Elmer Ridgell and has a younger brother, Thomas Cross through another marriage. He learned music at a young age, and was mentored musically by his cousin, Sigidi. He has a daughter from a previous marriage, Shauna and remained friends with his ex-wife, Stephanie.

He met his wife Marla in 1990 and they were married in 1995. Baj always talked to me about Marla, so I was very excited to meet her when I went to their studio, and she was everything he talked about- bubbly, sweet and kind.

Baj had his own record company, BackHouse Nation, and finally, after a couple of years I got to sit and record in that studio. He was nominated for a Grammy and wrote hits for several artists, including Donald Byrd’s “Falling Like Dominoes,” and “Think Twice.” Mbaji’s music has been recorded by some of the biggest names in music, including the SOS Band, Donald Byrd, Eddie Kendricks, Erykha Badu and J Dilla. He composed music that could be considered a mixture of R&B, Jazz, Funk, and Pop, and also penned songs for Gene Harris, and has been sampled by such musical luminaries such as Ice Cube, Tribe Called Quest, Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, De La Soul and Wyclef Jean.

His last track, “One of Those Evenings,” featured Elaine Stepter of the R&B group, Rose Royce. Elaine Stepter sang beautifully at his celebration. My only regret was that I didn’t lay get a chance to play with her that evening.

Saxophonist Don Bell read the obituary and there were tributes by percussionist Chilli Willie Groove, percussionist Victor Orlando and many others including family and friends. His wife Marla gave a stirring tribute and there were songs and great food.

At the end of the celebration, I played the bass with keyboardist Robert Turner, Don Bell and Chilli Willie Groove. We played “Mr. Magic,” by Grover Washington, which seemed to make an impact on the attendees and helped me musically, more on that in my Commentary.  My only wish was that Baj were there to hear it, and I hope that I made him proud, as he looked on from heaven.

Baj was a great man and a very talented man. But what made him excel was the spirit, heart and kindness he possessed. He will be dearly, dearly missed.

Wishing Marla peace and Marla if you’re reading this, know you have my unequivocal support.

Rest in Heaven my friend. You certainly will be missed here.

Blessings to all his friends and family and my most sincere condolences.