Ralph Carney was a founding member of the pre-Waitresses band, Tin Huey, but is best known for his long association with singer Tom Waits, and collaboration with his nephew, Patrick Carney, on the Black Keys album, Attack & Release, and occasionally joins them on stage. He has also recorded or performed with The B-52's, Elvis Costello, Jonathan Richman, Les Claypool, Marc Ribot, Stan Ridgway, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Dieselhed and Bill Laswell. He was a member of the Oranj Symphonette with fellow Waits alumni Joe Gore and Matt Brubeck.

The Serious Jass Project is:
Ralph Carney on bass, baritone, tenor, c-melody, alto and soprano saxophones; b-flat and bass clarinets; flute, trumpet, English horn, lap steel guitar and vocals.
Randy Odell on drums.
Michael McIntosh on keyboard.
Ari Munkres on bass.