Chronologically:
1972
First professional job, touring with Stomu Yamash'ta's Red Buddah Theatre throughout Europe.

1973-77
Began freelance work as jazz soloist, including leading groups with Michael Garrick and Johnny Patrick, and appearing on French TV with the legendary jazz pianist Jaques Dieval.

1977-80
In both Soft Machine and The Albion Band, recording "Alive and Well in Paris" with the former and the classic Albion Band album "Rise Up Like The Sun". Appeared in several productions with The Albion Band at the National Theatre (The Passion Plays/ Sir Gawain and the Green Knight). Began long associations in the folk world with June Tabor, Andrew Cronshaw, Martin Simpson, and Albion Band percussionist Michael Gregory.

1980
Left Soft Machine and The Albion Band to form 2nd Vision with Soft Machine guitarist John Etheridge(who was at the time also playing in Stephan Grappelly's group). Recorded critically acclaimed album "First Steps."  (Recently re-released)

1980-85
Changing group name from 2nd Vision to simply The John Etheridge / Ric Sanders Group toured extensively, both with the group and as a freelance soloist. At this time, along with guitarist Vo Fletcher, started to take an active role in music education. In association with the Musicians' Union they toured extensively in both junior and secondary schools and recorded a TV show for the B8C - "Here come the Music Men."

1985-present
With Fairport Convention has recorded 11 albums and 5 full length concert videos. Has made several solo albums and recorded a violin tuitional video in the "Music Maker" series, introduced by Jools Holland.

In 1999 along with Fairport and artists including Dan Ar Braz, Tri Yann, Roger Hodgson, The Prague Symphony, Nikki Matheson, James Woods, Gabriel Yacoub, and Les Choeurs Bulgares "Philippopolis", played on Alan Simon's ambitious "Excalibur" album, which earned a gold in France. In the subsequent live concerts Ric played Violin duets with the great French jazz violinist Didier Lockwood and contributed a new instrumental to the show co-written with his fellow Fairporter Chris Leslie. The results can be seen and heard on the live Video and album "Le Concert Mythique."

Ric has recorded and/ or appeared live with artists including:

Roy Harper, Jethro Tull, Gordon Giltrap (with whom he toured as a duo and recorded the duo album "One to One"), The Strawbs, Pentangle, All About Eve, The Mission, Gerry Rafferty, Louden Wainwright III, Jerry Donahue, Robert Plant, Charlie Landsborough, The Fureys, Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), Martin Barre, Vikki Clayton, Fred Thelonious Baker,June Tabor, Martin Simpson, Andrew Cronshaw, Huw and Tony Williams, Ashley Hutchings, and Pete York