Ray Reach: Difference between revisions

From Bhamwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 46: Line 46:


== Partial Discography ==
== Partial Discography ==
'''As pianist / keyboardist, arranger, vocalist and producer:'''
'''As pianist / keyboardist, arranger, vocalist and producer:'''
* [[Ellis Marsalis]] and the [http://www.bhamwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=SuperJazz_Big_Band SuperJazz Big Band].  ''"UAB SuperJazz, featuring Ellis Marsalis"'' (2001)  (co-produced by [[Henry Panion]]), recorded at the [[Alys Stephens Center]].
* Ellis Marsalis and the [[SuperJazz Big Band]] (2001) ''"UAB SuperJazz, featuring Ellis Marsalis"'', co-produced by [[Henry Panion]] ([http://www.amazon.com/UAB-SuperJazz-featuring-Ellis-Marsalis/dp/B001B8D5M0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1253114694&sr=1-1 Amazon])
* [http://www.bhamwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Ray_Reach_and_Friends Ray Reach and Friends].  ''"Especially For You"'' (1994).  Jazz quartet
* [[Ray Reach and Friends]] (1994) ''"Especially For You"'' ([http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayreach CD Baby])
* Ray Reach and Friends.  ''"Have Yourself A Jazzy Little Christmas"'' (2005).  Jazz quartet, recorded at [http://www.bhamwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=CBS_Recording_Studios CBS Recording Studios]
* Ray Reach and Friends.  ''"Have Yourself A Jazzy Little Christmas"'' (2005)  
*[[Joylight]].  "Let There Be Love"  (1990) Inspirational music.  Produced by Ray Reach and [[Michael Loveless]]   
* [[Joylight]].  "Let There Be Love"  (1990), co-produced by [[Michael Loveless]]   


'''As producer:'''
'''As producer:'''
* [[K. Lee Scott]]. ''"Christmastide"'' (2003). choral music.
* [[K. Lee Scott]] (2003) ''"Christmastide"'' ([http://www.kleescott.com/CartCD/product_info.php?products_id=28&osCsid=dba18f74366f55338b00bd07441ca6d1 link])
* K. Lee Scott. ''"Requiem"'' (2006). choral music.
* K. Lee Scott (2006) ''"Requiem"'' ([http://www.kleescott.com/CartCD/product_info.php?products_id=29&osCsid=1762ac8535cd0bbcdf4134f34927972e link])
*[[Uncle Bud's Lectro Wood Experience]].  Comedic Bluegrass.  Production assistance and musician contracting by Ray Reach.  Recorded at [[Bates Brothers Recording]], and at the studio of [[John Conner, Jr.]] in [[Brentwood, Tennessee]].  [http://countrymusic.about.com/od/news/a/blgduncan_cma.htm Glen Duncan] on fiddle.  For more information on [[Uncle Bud]], click [http://www.rockgrass.com/new_page_12.htm here].
 
'''As arranger:'''
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_butler Jonathan Butler] and [[Juanita Bynum]] with the Gospel Goes Classical Orchestra. [http://www.gospelgoesclassical.com/ ''"Gospel Goes Classical"''] (2006).  Produced by [[Henry Panion]].  #2 Gospel Album in the US.  #3 in the [[Billboard]] Classical Crossover category. 
* [[Annetta Nunn]] (Birmighham Police Chief) [http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Blues-Birmingham-Police-Annetta/dp/B000X1X5XU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-3150874-4180865?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1194234840&sr=8-1 ''"Gospel In Blues"''] (2007).  Produced by [[Henry Panion]].  Horn arrangements by Ray Reach.   
 
'''As keyboardist and arranger:'''
*[[Dick's Hat Band]].  ''"Got The Whole Town Talkin'"'' (1995) Produced by Ross Roberts.  Classic R & B.  [[Chuck Tilley]], Drums.  Horn arrangements by Ray Reach.  Hammond B-3 played by Ray Reach.


'''As Keyboardist:'''
'''As keyboardist:'''
*[[Little Jimmy Reed]].  ''"School's Out"'' Produced by Ross Roberts. Blues.  Hammond B-3 played by Ray Reach.
* [[Dick's Hat Band]] (1995) ''"Got The Whole Town Talkin'"''.
*[[Mark Sallings]]. (1995) ''"Let It Be Known - Mark Sallings and the Famous Unknowns"'' Virtuoso blues harmonica player Mark Sallings.  B-3 played by Ray Reach.
* Mark Sallings and the Famous Unknowns (1995) ''"Let It Be Known"''. [[Vent Records]]
*[[Mark Sallings]]. (1996) ''"Let It Be Known - Talkin' To Myself"'' Virtuoso blues harmonica player Mark Sallings.  B-3 played by Ray Reach.  The ''Famous Unknowns'' were the house band at [[B. B. King]]'s in Memphis from 1991 to 1994.
* [[Little Jimmy Reed]] (1996) ''"School's Out"''
* Mark Sallings (1997) ''"Talkin' To Myself"''. [[Vent Records]]


'''As producer, arranger and keyboardist:'''
'''As producer, arranger and keyboardist:'''
* [[Lou Marini]] and the [[Magic City Jazz Orchestra]]. ''"Lou's Blues"'' (2003) Liner notes by [[Bob Belden]].
* [[Lou Marini]] and the [[Magic City Jazz Orchestra]]. (2003) ''"Lou's Blues"'' ([http://www.amazon.com/Lous-Blues-Marini-Magic-Orchestra/dp/B0001AP0BI Amazon])
* [[Eric Essix]] and the [[Night Flight Big Band]]. ''"SuperBlue."'' (2006). Jazz guitar
* [[Eric Essix]] and the [[Night Flight Big Band]]. (2006) ''"SuperBlue."'' ([http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/essixnfbb CD Baby])
* [[Amy Drinkwater]].  ''"With All My Heart - A Journey to the Soul."'' (2005), Christian jazz vocals, recorded at [[Bates Brothers Recording Studio]]  
* [[Amy Drinkwater]] (2005) ''"With All My Heart - A Journey to the Soul."'' ([http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/drinkwater CD Baby])


'''As producer, arranger, keyboardist, vocalist and guitarist:'''
'''As producer, arranger, keyboardist, vocalist and guitarist:'''
* [[James Clark]]. ''"Count On Me"'' (1997). Original songs by singer / songwriter James Clark, recorded at Bates Brothers Recording Studio
* [[James Clark]] (1997) ''"Count On Me"'' ([http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jclark CD Baby])
* Dr. Dan "Harpdog" Marson. ''"Blues, Gospel and Jazz Harmonica." '' (1999) Produced by Ray Reach. 
* Dr Dan "Harpdog" Marson (1999) ''"Blues, Gospel and Jazz Harmonica."''
* [[Chuck Snow]] (aka "Doc" Snow). ''"Pray For Me."'' (2006).
* [[Doc Snow]] (2006)  ''"Pray For Me."'' ([http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/charlesdocsnow CD Baby])


'''As keyboardist, arranger and vocalist:'''
'''As keyboardist, arranger and vocalist:'''
* [[Dave Loggins]], Ray Reach and Various Artists. "The New Course Record" (1995) A collection of songs about the game of golf.  Produced by Don Hays and [[Mike Chapman]] on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee.
* Dave Loggins, Ray Reach and others (1995) "The New Course Record".
 
'''As producer, composer, arranger, keyboardist and vocalist:'''
* Ray Reach and Various Artists: ''"Mr President,"'' (Dallas  production - 1989) A song written and produced for the purpose of benefitting the homeless in the Dallas area. Artists and studios who donated their time and efforts to make this record include: [[Star Search]] winner [[Benita Arteberry]], the [[Dallas Symphony Chorus]] under the direction of [[Ron Shirey]], [[Sumet-Burnet Recording]], [[Sound Logic Recording]] and choral students from the Richardson Texas School District (under the direction of Glenda Casey).  Song composed by [[Michael Loveless]], Joe Sterling and Ray Reach.
* Ray Reach and Various Artists: ''"Mr President,"'' (Birmingham production - 1993) A new production of the song, done by Alabama talent, benefitting the homeless in the Birmingham area. Artists and studios who donated their time and efforts to make this record include: choral students from Jefferson County schools, [[Chuck Leavell]] (Keyboards), [[Charlie Hayward]] (Bass), [[Chuck Tilley]] (Drums), [[Kelley O'Neal]] (Sax), [[Wayne Perkins]] (Guitar), [[Front Row Productions]] and [[Airwave Productions Group]].


== "Mr. President" on HBO ==
== "Mr. President" on HBO ==

Revision as of 16:24, 21 September 2009

Ray Reach

Raymond E. "Ray" Reach (born August 3, 1948 in Birmingham) is a jazz pianist and vocalist, the Director of Student Jazz Programs at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, and the CEO of Ray Reach Music and Magic City Music Productions. He is also an accomplished guitarist, arranger, composer and educator. Ray is a member of several active performing groups, including the SuperJazz Big Band (formerly UAB SuperJazz), the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, the Night Flight Big Band, the W. C. Handy Jazz All-Stars, Cleveland Eaton's Alabama All Stars, and his own group, Ray Reach and Friends.

Early years

Reach began piano lessons at the age of 6 under Giula Williams at E. E. Forbes & Sons Piano Company. He went on to continue studying piano under Carolyn Pfau and Hugh Thomas at the Birmingham Conservatory of Music. Later, as a student at Birmingham-Southern College, he studied with pianist Sam Howard. He began vocal studies under New York City Opera veteran Andrew Gainey at age 15 while participating in the Birmingham Civic Opera's production of The Barber of Seville. He attended Dixie Junior High School and graduated from Minor High School, where he learned from Tom Pinion and John Fowler.

College years

Reach attended Birmingham-Southern College, the University of Montevallo and the University of Alabama (and others) as he pursued music studies. As a graduate assistant at Alabama's jazz program (1977 to 1980), he worked with Steve Sample, Sr and was awarded an ASCAP Raymond Hubbell Music Scholarship.

Years in Dallas, Texas

In the 1980s Reach joined the music staff at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, Texas. While in Dallas, he became interested in the use of computers and MIDI, co-founding the American MIDI Users Group and developing MIDI software for Systems Design Associates, Inc. In 1985, he toured Europe with the Dallas Symphony Chorus, for whom he arranged works by Gershwin, Ellington, Cole Porter and Thad Jones. He accompanied vocalist Marilyn Walton on piano during the tour.

Jazz education

From 1998 to 2005, Reach was the Director of the UAB Jazz Ensemble (at the University of Alabama at Birmingham aka UAB). He is also a faculty member of the W. C. Handy Jazz Camp, a member of the W. C. Handy Jazz All-Stars and a regular featured performer at the W. C. Handy Music Festival in Florence, Alabama. In addition, Reach is founding director of the The "Fun With Jazz" Educational Program, which was originated through the Alys Stephens Center, and is now offered by the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

Performing, arranging and producing

Reach has performed with and arranged for numerous notable jazz musicians, including Clark Terry, Lou Marini, Ellis Marsalis, Cleveland Eaton, Lew Soloff and Chaka Kahn with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. He has produced recordings for choral composer K. Lee Scott, jazz guitarist Eric Essix with the Night Flight Big Band, Lou Marini with the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, and Ellis Marsalis with the SuperJazz Big Band (co-produced with Henry Panion).

Notable students

As a jazz educator, Ray has taught a number of notable musicians, including: saxophonist Kelley O'Neal, percussionist Beth Gottlieb, drummer Chuck Tilley, trombonist Ned Holder, drummer Mark Lanter, keyboardist / producer Peter Wolf, trumpeter Chris Gordon, saxophonist Dave Miller.

Influences

Reach cites Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson and Chick Corea as influences in the development of his piano playing. He has been influenced by Frank Sinatra and Johnny Hartman on his vocals.

Recent Performances

In January of 2008, Ray performed as guest artist with the Howard Paul Trio at the famed Jazz Corner on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Ray was recently asked by Chuck Leishman, publisher of The Birmingham Weekly, to direct the house band at the 2008 Birmingham Area Music Awards (the "BAMA" awards). The house band, known collectively as The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars, accompanied noted BAMA Award recipients Chuck Leavell and Peter Wolf. To read an article about Peter Wolf and the BAMA Awards, click here.

From July 20 through July 26, 2008, Ray performed at the W. C. Handy Music Festival, alongside noted jazz players such as guitarist Mundell Lowe, drummer Bill Goodwin, trumpeter Ken Watters, guitarist Lloyd Wells and saxophonists Kelley O'Neal and Rick Bell. This was Ray's sixth year to perform at this annual festival, which this year hosted almost 300 events in a 7 day period.

On August 21, 2008, Ray was featured on the "Tapestry" radio show, hosted by Greg Bass on WBHM Radio 90.3 FM in Birmingham, Alabama. The show airs every thursday at 6:30pm Central Time. To listen to Ray's interview on Tapestry, click here.

On September 27, 2008, The Ray Reach Quartet, featuring saxophonist Gary Wheat, drummer Steve Ramos, Count Basie bassist Cleveland Eaton, with guest, New York trumpeter Lew Soloff, appeared at the Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival in Birmingham, Alabama.

On October 3rd and 4th, 2008, The Ray Reach Trio appeared before very appreciative crowds at The Jazz Corner in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Partial Discography

As pianist / keyboardist, arranger, vocalist and producer:

As producer:

As keyboardist:

As producer, arranger and keyboardist:

As producer, arranger, keyboardist, vocalist and guitarist:

As keyboardist, arranger and vocalist:

  • Dave Loggins, Ray Reach and others (1995) "The New Course Record".

"Mr. President" on HBO

Following the 1989 Dallas production of the "Mr. President" (See listing above), the song was featured on HBO's Comic Relief special. On this show, hosted by Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams and Billy Crystal, the song was performed by singers Natalie Cole and Al Jarreau, along with New York City public school choral students and a band directed by saxophonist Tom Scott.

CDs Produced by Ray Reach

Jazz:

Pop / R & B:

Contemporary Christian:

Classical Sacred:

External links

Retrieved from "http://bhamwiki.com/w/index.php?title=Ray_Reach&oldid=51314"