Ray Gelato Performs 'It Don't Mean a Thing' on Strictly Dance Fever. Presented by Graham Norton.
Influences
People always ask for my influences, so here goes a try! I hate doing this, cos someone great always gets left out!
Vocals: Louis Prima, Sinatra, Wynonie Harris, Louis Jordan, Mel Torme, Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, Joe Williams, Dean Martin, Della Reese, Sam Butera, Buddy Greco, Louis Armstrong. There are more, but I can't remember now.
Bands: Duke Ellington, Count Basie, The Treniers, Sam Butera and the Witnesses. Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Steely Dan, Cab Calloway.
Sax: Illinois Jacquet, Arnett Cobb, Coleman Hawkins, Don Byas, Ike Quebec, Charlie Ventura, Gene Ammons, Lester Young, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, Charlie Parker, Paul Gonzalves, Ben Webster, Lucky Thompson, Lew Tabackin, Scott Hamilton. I also dig the rockin' guys, I learned to Play by imitating these fellas!- Sam Butera, Red Prysock, Sam 'The man' Taylor, Rudy Pompilli, Lee Allen, Herb Hardesty.
This great piece of film is from the Montreal Jazz festval 1999. The band perform a storming version of 'Airmail Special'.
Sounds Like
Now they want to know what I sound like... Jeez... Here, listen to this one. It's an original, and it's called... "A Pizza You!"
Ray is truly one of the last in the long line of ‘great’ Jazz entertainers with countless albums, releases and world tours under his belt, and 25 years in the business. He’s scooped a number of awards and nominations including Ronnie Scotts Best band, plus a nomination for BBC Radio 2 Jazz Artist Of The Year in 2006 and BBC 'Heart Of Jazz' in 2008.
With performances all over the world, he’s twice been requested to perform by personal invitation of HM the Queen, opened for Robbie Williams at The Royal Albert Hall, not to mention private appearances for the likes of Richard Branson, Elle McPherson and a personal invitation to perform at Paul McCartney’s wedding. Other performances include sets with BBC Symphony Orchestra live in Hyde Park, The Proms, and a superb show backed by a 35 piece orchestra alongside Katie Melua and Will Young at the BBC's VE Day Concert in Trafalgar Square. Further TV appearences include This Morning, Top Of The Pops, BBC News and Stritcly Come Dancing.
Ray has just released a brand new album, 'Salute to the Great Entertainers', in which he pays tribute to his some of his musical heroes. Recently Ray and the Giants enjoyed two sold out weeks at Ronnie Scotts. Gelato being a keen chef has also written a cookbook, entitled 'Cookin' with Ray'. More then 100 copies were sold during Ray's Xmas Ronnies Scott's run.
“Arguably the only British jazz artist with a proper stage show.” -THE LONDON EVENING STANDARD
Finally, there is available (S, M, L & XL European sizes) a very limited edition of KING WOLF & THE HOUND DOGS’ new official t-shirt, for 12 ridiculous Euros + postage
And if even you do not have "It's Alive", their extraordinary first album, it’s your opportunity to get it for just 8 Euros + postage or the pack CD + T-Shirt for only 16 Euros + the unavoidable delivery rates
If you wanna get some of these items, just send us a mail to
CIAO RAY COME STAI TOU MUSICA SEI MOLTO SPLENDIDA COME SEIMPRE MI PIACE MOLTO AVERE QUI PER UN GRANDE GIORNO DOVE IO STAI SEI UNA BELLISSIMA CITTA MOLTO FORZA FORZA A ITALIA CIAO DA LUCCIANA BACI
Online Now!
