Ray Blue

RAY BLUE - a big saxophone sound that touches your soul

Saxophonist Ray Blue has a sound and style that are energetic, powerful, and sensitive. Ray takes you for a musical ride that is characterized by passion and precision. He delivers dynamic poetic phrases, strong grooves and leaves audiences wanting more. A Ray Blue Music Experience stays with you for a long time.

"Ray Blue has a majestic presence. When playing, his sense of purpose is obvious. As evidence of that - people’s enthralled smile. It's one thing to be a good composer it's another to be a great performer. Ray Blue's got the whole package." (Jean Szlamowicz, Jazz Hot, Down Beat)

“Growing up in New York in a musically rich environment, I learned an appreciation for all music”, Ray says. “Through music I am able to help people experience wonderful moments… I love what I do, whether performing, composing or just listening ...music is wonderful. I want to bring people together to share and gain an understanding of the music and one another”.

Having studied music and performed all his life, Ray began playing clarinet at age 8 and added tenor saxophone and bass clarinet at age 14. “My Jr. High School music teacher introduced the class to ‘Kind of Blue’ by Miles Davis. ‘This is your music’, he said. That was it for me.”

Jazz, r&b and soul music became Ray’s passion in High School and he started playing for dances and in clubs at age 15. During these years he was nurtured by several musicians in his community: the late Dr. Jesse J. Johnson, Dr. Art Davis, Asbury “Sticks” Medowbrook and Vince Corozine as well as his contemporaries, Chip White and Michael Cochrane. Ray learned to be a student of the music, the importance of being an avid listener and to embrace the tradition of jazz.

He later studied at the Jazz Mobile with Charles Davis also with Paul Jeffreys, Charlie Lagond, Sonny Sharrock and was mentored by Arthur Blythe and Ornette Coleman, with whom he maintains a close relationship. Ray Blue is a graduate of the University of Iowa and Wm. Penn University, which annually presents “The Ray Blue Jazz Award” to a graduating senior.

Over the years, Ray played in jazz, blues and r&b bands on the New York scene and learned from veteran musicians in a variety of contexts. He honed his skills as a saxophonist, composer and leader performing in clubs, concerts, at festivals and recorded with bands for Columbia Records, RCA Records and several Independent record labels. Ray has performed with a host world known musicians including Steve Turre, John Gilmore, Michael Cochrane, Eddie Henderson, Gary Bartz, Clfford Adams, T.K. Blue, Victor Jones, Joe Ford and Blues Legend Bob Gaddy, The Sun Ra Arkestra, The Cotton Club All Stars and others. He is also a main stay with the Spirit of Life Ensemble. As a leader; John Patton, Wycliff Gordon, Michael Cochrane, Ed Cherry, Larry Willis, John Betch, Wayne Dockery, Bobby Battle, Bruce Cox, Benny Powell, Chip White, Calvin Hill and many more have shared the stage and studio with Ray.

Ray performs on numerous world stages connecting people with his music.

His festival performances as leader and featured artist include: Zanzibar International Film Festival, Zanzibar, Tanzania; North Sea Jazz Festival-Cape Town, South Africa; Macufe Festival-Bloemfontain, South Africa; European Union Annex Festival-Dublin, Ireland; Audi Jazz Festival-Brussels, Belgium; Macao Jazz Festival, China; The Newport in New York Festival, New York, New York; New York State Black Arts Festival-Albany, New York; Köpenick Jazz Festival-Berlin, Germany; Midi Music Festival-Beijing, China; Pori Jazz Festival, Finland; Foix Jazz Festival, France; Bayonne Jazz Festival, France and others.

Ray released his first CD, Always with a Purpose, in 2001. Then came "Ray Blue Live at Liars Theater" in 2004 and “Ray Blue Live at Liars Theater 2” in 2005. And in 2006 Ray released ‘Transvision’ on the Neu Klang label. Most of the songs were composed while traveling and meeting people around the world…”It's a celebration of friendships.”

A monumental experience for Ray was to establish a connection in Africa and in 2003 he visited South Africa for the first time. While performing with South African musicians, conducting jazz and educational workshops, a unique blend of musical language was being formed. This was a fusion of American and African cultures, rhythms and melodies. People listened, danced, smiled and it happened everywhere his music was performed. For Ray this was “like coming back home.” Ray returns to Africa each year to perform, study and conduct workshops. He is now working on an American-African World Music production for a new release.

Mr. Blue is also an educator/clinician and he consults at colleges, universities, schools and communities around the world. He is the founder of Cross-Cultural Connection, Inc. a 501 (c) 3 performance and educational organization that promotes jazz in educational and community institutions.

Ray Blue lives in New York, U.S.A. and Berlin, Germany.

Gear

Endorsements: GB Saxophones, Jody Jazz Mouth pieces, Marca reeds, BG Accessories.