Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Vinnie Colaiuta, Mark Craney, G. Allan O’Connor, John Bergamo, Nyomen Wenton, Kobla Ladzekpo, Alfred Ladzekpo, Jeff Kowalski, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Charlie Watts, Steve Gadd, Robert Greenidge, Len "Boogsie" Sharpe, and Leigh Howard Stevens.
Ray McNamara began exploring rhythm at an early age, using pots, pans and the occasional sister. After studying percussion performance at Northern Illinois University, he went west to pursue further study at CalArts, earning his M.F.A. in World Music & Percussion in 1985.
Film credits include: Mario Van Peeble’s ”Hard Luck”, Sean Penn’s “Indian Runner”, “The Devil’s Rejects” by Rob Zombie, and the Grammy-nominated score for “A Bug’s Life” with Randy Newman.
Television credits include: “Penn and Teller’s ’Off The Deep End’”, “The World Stunt Awards Show”, “The Roseanne Show”, “Who’s The Boss”, and “Going to Extremes”.
Commercial credits include: ESPN Sports and Fox NFL Sports.
As a soloist, Ray blends his unique style of soca and jazz to bring the Steel Pan to a new level. As an educator, Ray has taught at Cal Arts, Northern Illinois University, Fullerton College and U.C.L.A. Ray is currently the Music Director for the Department of Dance at U.C. Riverside and the director of the Steel Band at Fullerton College. Ray is endorsed by Rhythm Tech percussion products, Paiste cymbals, and Vater drumsticks.
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
The InfamousBands.com $30,000 Online Battle of the Bands Make sure you're registered to compete at http://www.InfamousBands.com. Good luck to all who enter, can't wait to hear your music!
The Calypso Pirates play Claremont's Friday Nights Live tonight from 6-9 pm. FREE! At the Village Plaza outside Claremont's Laemmle 5 Theater. Plenty of free parking, places to eat, things to do and music to hear!
Calypso Pirates TONIGHT in the Claremont Village - the Village Plaza outside the Laemmle Theater. 6-9 pm. FREE! and family-friendly - plenty of free parking. See you there!
