Ralph Percy Yaw was born on October 22, 1898, in Berkshire, Franklin, Vermont, and passed away on April 25, 1963, in Kern, California. He was a prominent American composer and arranger known for his contributions to the swing era, particularly his work with bandleader Stan Kenton. Yaw's musical career began in earnest when he moved to Los Angeles in 1919, where he played piano in local and touring bands and managed the Coconut Grove in Bakersfield, California, from 1927 to 1934.

Yaw's career as an arranger flourished in the 1930s and 1940s, during which he wrote arrangements for several notable bandleaders, including Isham Jones, Cab Calloway, Eddie Barefield, Count Basie, and Les Brown. However, he is best remembered for his collaboration with Stan Kenton, with whom he began working in the early 1940s. Yaw was instrumental in shaping the sound of Kenton's first band, which was known as an "arranger's band." He composed and arranged numerous pieces for Kenton, including original compositions like "Balboa Bash," "Blue Flare," and "Two Moods."

Yaw was known for his innovative approach to arranging, particularly his treatment of saxophones, which he felt was done correctly for the first time in his work with Kenton. Despite often refusing compensation due to the band's financial constraints, Yaw enjoyed the creative freedom and camaraderie he found in working with Kenton.

In addition to his work in jazz, Yaw later transitioned to country music, writing hits such as "No Longer a Prisoner" for singer Hank Snow. His legacy in the music industry is marked by his contributions to both jazz and country genres, as well as his collaborations with various other musicians and lyricists, including Georgie Starbuck Galbraith.