Ronald Wayne Laws (born October 3, 1950)^[1] is an American jazz^[2] and smooth jazz saxophonist, and singer. He is the younger brother of jazz flutist Hubert Laws, jazz vocalist Eloise Laws and the older brother of Debra Laws.^[3]

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, United States,^[1] Laws is the fifth of eight children. He started playing the saxophone at the age of 11.^[4]

He attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, for two years.

In 1971, Laws journeyed to Los Angeles, California to embark upon a musical career. He started off by performing with trumpeter Hugh Masekela. In 1972, Laws joined the band Earth, Wind & Fire, where he played saxophone and flute on their album Last Days and Time. After 18 months working with Earth, Wind and Fire, he decided to become a solo artist.^[4] In 1975, Laws issued his debut album entitled Pressure Sensitive on Blue Note Records.^[5] The album reached No. 25 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.^[6] In 1976, Laws went on to release his second LP Fever.^[7] The album reached No. 13 on the Billboard Top Soul LPs chart.^[8]

His third album, Friends & Strangers, was issued in 1977 on United Artists Records.^[9] The album has been certified gold in the US by the RIAA.^[10] Laws' fourth studio LP, entitled Flame was released in September 1978 on United Artists.^[11] The LP reached No. 16 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.^[12]

His follow up album Every Generation was issued in 1980 by United Artists Records.^[13] The album reached No. 4 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.^[14]

Artists such as jazz saxophonist Boney James and jazz guitarist Norman Brown have been influenced by Laws.^[16][17]