Depends on the time, place, and venue. Currently, Ray is working on his Piano/Guitar duo project with Shawn Hanlon, but plays regularly with his other groups in Northwest Florida, as well as some sideman work in Jax and Northwest Florida.
Influences
George Benson, Jimmy Bruno, Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, Pat Martino, Russell Malone, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Chopin, Michael and Randy Brecker, Barry Greene, Bunky Green, Chick Corea, John Coltrane, John Mayer's Indo-Jazz Fusion, Hiromi, Keith Jarrett, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Nat and Cannonball Adderely, Wynton Kelly and so many more...
Ray East was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Ray began playing music at age 11, playing the cello. He first picked up the guitar at age 13. He then moved to Panama City Beach where he began studying with world renowned jazz guitarist, Ted Shumate ( www.TedShumate.com ) . Since the age of 17, Ray has been performing regularly with his different groups, playing jazz, fusion, and R&B. Ray is currently living in Jacksonville, Florida and is a student at the University of North Florida, where he was a part of its internationally recognized jazz program, studying with phenominal guitar player, Barry Greene ( www.BarryGreene.com ). Ray graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in Literature and Anthropology before relocating to Odessa, Ukraine, where he currently lives.
