Ry Cooder, born in 1947, is an acclaimed American musician, songwriter, and producer known for his masterful slide guitar work and passion for traditional music from around the world. A versatile multi-instrumentalist, he has worked with renowned artists such as the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker, and Ali Farka Touré. Cooder is celebrated for his genre-spanning solo career and his influential collaborations, most notably producing the Buena Vista Social Club album, which gained international acclaim. Recognized as one of the greatest guitarists by Rolling Stone magazine, he has also composed film scores and published a book of short stories, Los Angeles Stories.