
Ryland "Ry" Peter Cooder is an American prominent guitarist, singer and composer. He is known for his slide guitar work, his interest in blues-rock, roots music from his native North America, and for his collaborations with traditional musicians from many countries.
Cooder's solo work has been an eclectic mix, taking in dust bowl folk, blues, Tex-Mex, soul, gospel, rock, and much else. He has collaborated with many important musicians, including The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Earl Hines, Little Feat, Captain Beefheart, The Chieftains, John Lee Hooker, Pops, Mavis Staples, Gabby Pahinui, Flaco Jiménez, Ibrahim Ferrer (Buena Vista Social Club), Freddy Fender and Ali Farka Touré. He formed the Little Village supergroup with Nick Lowe, John Hiatt, and Jim Keltner.
Cooder was ranked 8th on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." A 2010 ranking by Gibson placed him at #32.

The Long Riders
1980 · as Wedding Band Guitar Player (uncredited)

The People Speak
2009 · as Self

Buena Vista Social Club
1999 · as Self

Wim Wenders, Desperado
2020 · as Self (archive footage)

Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice
2019 · as Self

Talking Guitars
2008 · as Self

Motion and Emotion: The Films of Wim Wenders
1990 · as Self

Motion and Emotion: The Road to 'Paris, Texas'
1990 · as Self

This Ain't No Mouse Music!
2014 · as Self

ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2014
2014 · as Self

Randy Newman: Live at the Odeon
1982 · as Self

The Great Music Experience | Nara City, Japan 1994
1994 · as Self

John Lee Hooker and Friends 1984-1992
1992

John Lee Hooker: Come and See About Me
2004 · as Self

The Artist Formerly Known As Captain Beefheart
1997 · as Himself

Ry Cooder & David Lindley: Live at the Fillmore Auditorium
1994 · as guitar, vocals

Ry Cooder & The Moula Banda Rhythm Aces: Let's Have a Ball
1988 · as Himself

Ry Cooder: How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?
1970