Member Roster includes: Chris Wendle (bass), Abe Becker (Bass), Cleve Eaton (bass), John Nuckols (drums), Chris Fryar (drums), Steve Ramos (drums), Sonny Harris (drums), Dave Amaral (woodwinds), Gary Wheat (woodwinds), Dave Miller (woodwinds), Lou Marini (woodwinds), Tommy Stewart (trumpet), Omari Thomas (trumpet), Mart Avant (trumpet), Ken Watters (trumpet), Lew Soloff (trumpet), Chad Fisher (trombone), Harry Watters (trombone), Billy Bargetzi (trombone).
Influences
J. S. Bach, W. A. Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Gil Evans, Thad Jones, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer
RAY REACH - Pianist / Vocalist / Guitarist / Arranger / Composer / Producer...
As a practicing professional musician of some 44+ years, Raymond E. Reach (or just plain Ray, as he prefers to be called) lives an unusually diverse musical life. Ray has kept both feet firmly planted in two musical worlds - always having one foot in academia and the other in what he calls the “real world” of professional music. He is one of the premier in-demand jazz pianist / vocalists in the Southeast, having carved himself a niche, doing straight ahead jazz piano coupled with “Sinatra-style” vocals. As an educator, he is equally adept. From September 1998 until August 2005, Ray was Instructor of Music at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he taught music technology and directed the UAB Jazz Ensemble. He is currently Director of Student Jazz Programs at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame (www.jazzhall.com), and is the creator and director of the “Fun With Jazz” educational program, which originated through the auspices of the Alys Stephens Center for the Performing Arts, and is now offered by the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. In addition, Ray produces jazz and classical recordings and directs the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, a recording and concert Big Band composed of some of the best jazz players Alabama has to offer. Ray has performed with and arranged for numerous notable musicians, including Clark Terry, Leonard Candelaria, Ken Watters, Lou Marini, Ernie Watts, Dizzy Gillespie, Ellis Marsalis, Jr., Cleveland Eaton, Chuck Redd, Mundell Lowe, Bill Goodwin, Lew Soloff and Chaka Khan with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. He has been a regular featured musician at the annual W. C. Handy Festival in Florence, Alabama (www.wchandyfest.com) since 2003, and is also a faculty member of the W.C. Handy Jazz Camp. The four musical selections (above) are: 1) HOW DO YOU KEEP THE MUSIC PLAYING?, SuperJazz Big Band featuring Ray Reach on piano and vocal, arrangement by Ray Reach; 2) ROUTE 66, Ray Reach & Friends: Neil McLean (tenor sax), Robert Dickson (bass), Sonny Harris (drums) and Ray Reach (piano / vocal); 3) HOW INSENSITIVE, SuperJazz Big Band with Ellis Marsalis on piano, arrangement by Ray Reach; 4) SPEEDBALL, Night Flight Big Band, arrangement by Ray Reach. Contact information: Phone: 205-960-6328; Email: rreach@bellsouth.net.
One of the largest, single day Rock n' Roll parties in the valley's history is going to take place on June 7th at The Crossroads Music Hall, 115 Clinton Ave. E., in downtown Huntsville. "MUSIC 4 MEDS" is the "Concert to Benefit The Community Free Clinic". Doors open at 1:30PM, and music begins at 2:00PM, and will continue nonstop until the wee hours.
A minimum donation of $10.00 is requested.
I imagine we all wish we were wealthy enough to write a huge check to solve the problems that arise, but for most of us, the best we can do is pitch in a little, and try to get the job done. If you can afford to show up on June 7th and donate a few bucks, we promise to play our hearts out for you and make it worth your while.
Plan on coming out and being a part of this celebration. Together we can do a lot to help our community, and have a great time doing it! Hope to see you there!
Thanks so much for your help and support. - Sonny Edwards
Won't you plan on coming out and being a part of this celebration? Together we can do a lot to help our community, and have a great time doing it! Hope to see you there!
Thanks so much for your help and support. - Sonny Edwards
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We’re very excited to tell you that soon you can see ‘When I Find the Ocean’ on the big screen!
Starting on May 11, 2009, Carmike Cinemas will be showing ‘When I Find the Ocean’ on over 90 screens nationwide. Check out our blog to see exactly where and to find out more info.
The perfect background to your daily pleasures (...) Melody-filled, ethereal and very rich; it's a soundtrack to an imaginary adventure with romance, drama, chases and a happy ending piped in from the 60s.
I wanted to let you know I started my own label, first release is...me...go figure... Please check it out, listen, leave a comment, get a copy... Let me know what you think
The american “Bass Player” magazine - December 2008 issue – features Yiorgos Fakanas with a 7 page tribute including interview, music & scores presentation and appreciation by Anthony Jackson. A great honor for the Greek music scene of the contemporary jazz music!
Arthur Beard & Elements of Worship 3rd Anniversary SUNDAY Oct. 12th 2008 5pm. Go to elementsofworship. com for $5 tickets. $10 tickets at the door. We hope to see you there! WATCH OUR ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO BELOW FOR MORE INFO!!
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