by Nicholas Wire

Famous cellist Pablo Casals was once asked in an interview why he practiced every day, even at the age of 90.  

“Because I think I’m making progress,” Casals said.

Casals’ humility in that interview reinforced an age-old truth – talent without dedication is nothing. 

Cal State Fullerton music alumnus Tom Ranier, known for his talent on the piano, keyboard and synthesizer, echoes Casals’ famous message.

“I believe that one’s talents and one’s abilities are our gifts, and that our responsibility is to use those gifts,” Ranier said. “Just because, for example, a person is talented, unless the person is willing to work hard and make whatever sacrifices, that talent isn’t necessarily going to show through.” 

Ranier, now 76 years old, is following in Casals’ footsteps by continuing to master his craft. From his first release, “Ranier,” at Warner Bros. in 1976 to his most recent album, “ This Way,” in 2020, Ranier has produced music for nearly 50 years.

“Tom Ranier is among our most esteemed alumni. He’s an incredible pianist,” said Dustin Barr, Director of Wind Studies. “He is one of the most impactful alums we’ve had.” 

Ranier grew up listening to notable musicians such as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Buddy DeFranco, Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson, all Titans in the world of jazz.

Without music in his life, Ranier would be a completely different person. 

“This is much before I thought I’d considered a career in it, but I felt a deep connection and a deep attraction to it,” Ranier said. “I was 10 years old, actually, when I first started taking piano lessons, and it seemed to come fairly naturally to me. I worked very hard.”

Ranier, named a Titan of Music in 2018 by then-College of the Arts Dean Dale Merrill, CSUF President Fram Virjee and School of Music Director Larry Timm, continues to build on his already-accomplished musical career.

When reminiscing on his career, Ranier was very appreciative of the Titan of Music Award. He said he even felt as though he did not deserve it.

“You realize that you’re very, very lucky to be even a minuscule part of all of that, and to be able to participate in that,” Ranier said. 

“Secret Heart,” a track in his 2020 album, was the most meaningful of his career. The song was a tribute to the late saxophonist Michael Brecker.

“I wanted to do a tribute to him. He was such an incredible inspiration in my life and, of course, thousands of others,” Ranier said. “I transcribed his soprano saxophone solo, and I managed to get a hold of the song itself and I harmonized it for woodwinds, and I played all those parts. I’m especially proud of that.”

Along with his albums, Ranier has played keyboard and woodwinds at the Academy Awards, Emmys, Golden Globes and Grammys. He has also contributed to films such as “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” “Labor Day” and “Zathura: A Space Adventure.”

He is currently working with Randy Newman on the upcoming movie “Toy Story 5.” 

“When you go into one of the sessions, you’re [immediately] sight-reading, and you got to be able to pull it off very, very quickly,” Ranier said. “It’s a very, very demanding type of music making. It’s also very, very fulfilling.” 

Ranier’s passion for music has led him to share his knowledge and experience as an instructor at UCLA, CSUF, Saddleback College and Fullerton College.

“To be able to impart one’s knowledge and one’s experience in a way that hopefully could illuminate somebody’s path, and give them some guidance and some inspiration at the same time is a very, very worthwhile goal,” Ranier said.

Even after decades of success, Ranier continues to approach music with the same passion he had as a child. His lifelong dedication reflects not only his mastery, but also his belief that growth, like music, never truly ends.