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Ray Brown Jr.

Born in New York City and raised in a family of musical royalty (the son of singer Ella Fitzgerald and legendary jazz bass player Ray Brown), Ray Brown, Jr. learned early to appreciate the beauty and artistry of music.

Although the primary emphasis was jazz, Ray's heart was in rock and roll and rhythm and blues. The family migrated to California where Ray studied piano at the age of 10. At 14, drums became an extended musical passion, so dad arranged for young Ray to study with Bill Douglas and later with Chuck Flores in Los Angeles. The singing drummer began playing private parties, graduating into the world of playing gigs. While attending Beverly Hills High School, Ray sang with the Mini-singers and Madrigals, who often toured the local area performing at music festivals and hospitals.

After moving to Seattle, Ray continued to sing and play drums at nightclubs while studying with drum man Bill Coleman, Sr. He also began writing and composing while traveling from club to club. "On the road is where I honed my song writing skills," says Ray. "Writing music has always been a wonderful outlet." For 15 years, Ray worked in bands and as a single artist, performing throughout the Pacific Northwest and in Canada, Alaska, Japan, Korea and Guam and doing Department of Defense tours.

"Because of my roots," says Ray, "people always assume I sing jazz or play jazz. That's what they ask when they meet me for the first time. People are surprised when I sing country or rock and roll. They do expect an experience from some rhythm and blues, and I don't mind giving into the 'real deal.' I'm fortunate I've been blessed with a versatile voice."

Ray displayed his versatile voice and other talents in 2001 with his debut album for SRI Records, "Slow Down For Love," a collection of light jazz and R&B songs composed, written and arranged by Ray that reached the top 50 of the Gavin Report. His second album, "Committed From The Heart," released in 2003, has an adult contemporary pop sound layered with R&B. Again, all tunes were composed, written and arranged by Ray. The year 2003 marked Ray's debut on the Las Vegas Strip, as he performed five nights a week in the Le Bistro Theater at the Riviera Hotel & Casino.

"In the studio, the spontaneity is there, but it's controlled," says Ray. "If it's not exactly right the first time you can go back and apply a second coat. But when it's live, it's all hanging out. It's an adventure and I love it."

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Album Review

Ray Brown Jr.: Friends and Family

Read "Friends and Family" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian


A solid pedigree does not necessarily guarantee talent, but in the case of Ray Brown Jr. it clearly has, which makes Friends and Family even more disappointing. Brown has an evocative baritone and an impeccable mastery over the art of singing that rivals the best classically trained opera performers. His delivery on this record, however, is monotonous and varies little from song to song. The presence of different guest artists is the only differentiator among the tracks. ...

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Recording

Ukraine Tour Coincides With The SRI Jazz Release Of The Best Of Ray Brown Jr.

Ukraine Tour Coincides With The SRI Jazz Release Of The Best Of Ray Brown Jr.

Source: Shelly Liebowitz

Following a smashing success from his Ukrainian Tour, SRI Jazz Releases the long awaited “The Best of Ray Brown Jr.” Ray Brown Jr’s recent tour in the Ukraine, a smashing success for the artist, which included starring in Jazz Festivals, concerts and television interviews, coincides with the SRI Jazz release of ”The Best of Ray Brown Jr”. The tour was originally only scheduled to be comprised of a few shows but due to the response of his fans there, Ray ...

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Event

“Friends and Family Celebrate Ella’S Birthday” Tickets Go On Sale.

“Friends and Family Celebrate Ella’S Birthday” Tickets Go On Sale.

Source: All About Jazz

Tickets went on sale today for the all-star charity event starring Ray Brown Jr., whose dad was famed bassist Ray Brown and mother was “America’s First Lady Of Song”, Ella Fitzgerald. Brown will perform songs from his latest SRI Jazz release, Friends And Family, an all-star duets style album released late last year. The show date is set to commemorate the anniversary of Ella Fitzgerald’s birthday, April 25th entitled “Friends And Family Celebrate Ella’s Birthday” and will be held at ...

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Event

Ray Brown, Jr. Sets All-Star Charity Tribute

Ray Brown, Jr. Sets All-Star Charity Tribute

Source: All About Jazz

Shelly Liebowitz, President of SRI Jazz Records, has announced that Ray Brown, Jr. will headline a special concert during New Orleans’ Jazz and Heritage Festival week, on Saturday, April 25, at historic Generations Hall, a city landmark since 1821. Entitled “Friends and Family Celebrate Ella’s Birthday,” the event will take place on Ella Fitzgerald’s (Brown, Jr.’s mother) 92nd birthday. The show is being presented in association with respected non-profit organization, Active Music. It will raise money for Global Green’s “Rebuild ...

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Interview

Wrhu Bob Collins NY "Jazz Cafe" Interviews Ray Brown Jr on His Latest Release, "Friends and Family"

Wrhu Bob Collins NY  "Jazz Cafe" Interviews Ray Brown Jr on His Latest Release, "Friends and Family"

Source: All About Jazz

Veteran Jazz DJ Bob Collins, host of WRHU “Jazz Cafe," recently conducted a warm and engaging interview with Ray Brown Jr. on his latest album, Friends and Family. Collins' insight into this interview explores Brown's early beginnings, his relationship to his mother, Ella Fitzgerald, and his experience in recording the all-star album featuring Jane Monheit, Melba Moore, Terry Gibbs, Dionne Warwick, David “Fathead" Newman, Paul Williams, Maria Muldaur, Dr. John, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Freda Payne, Sophie B. Hawkins, David Somerville, ...

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Interview

WRHU Bob Collins NY Jazz Cafe Interview with Ray Brown Jr

WRHU Bob Collins NY Jazz Cafe Interview with Ray Brown Jr

Source: All About Jazz

"I Was Like A Kid In A Candy Store" - WRHU Bob Collins NY “Jazz Cafe" Interview with Ray Brown Jr on his latest release, “Friends And Family" Veteran Jazz DJ Bob Collins, host of WRHU “Jazz Cafe", recently conducted a warm and engaging interview with Ray Brown Jr. on his latest album, “Friends and Family". Collins' insight into this interview explores Brown's early beginnings, his relationship to his mother, Ella Fitzgerald, and his experience in recording the all-star album ...

80

Recording

Retailers Greet “Friends and Family”

Retailers Greet “Friends and Family”

Source: All About Jazz

SRI Jazz announces Ray Brown Jr's new CD, an all-star duets album entitled “Family and Friends" is finally in stores. The album premiered on iTunes and it has received great reviews there and it arrives at all major music retailers the week of September 15th. “ Just listened to Ray Jrs' CD and it’s marvelous. He’s got the rhythm and feel of his mother and father and the voice to go with it. What a great idea for him to ...

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Recording

Ella's Granddaughter Signs First Recording

Ella's Granddaughter Signs First Recording

Source: All About Jazz

Granddaughter of Ella Fitzgerald signs first recording contract singing a duet of famous Fitzgerald song with dad Ray Brown Jr. on his upcoming all-star Friends and Family duets-style CD. Haylee, grand-daughter of Ella Fitzgerald, signed her first recording contract with SRI Jazz. Her debut will be a duet with dad Ray Brown Jr. singing Ella's first hit, “Tisket-A-Tasket". The song will be featured on “Friends & Family", the all-star project of duets with Ray Brown, Jr, produced by Shelly Liebowitz. ...

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Recording

"Mercy" for Veterans

"Mercy" for Veterans

Source: All About Jazz

Way back in 1964 legendary, singer/songwriter, Mose Allison wrote a unique anti-war song called “Everybody's Cryin' Mercy". Allison recorded the song for one of his early albums and over the years a few other artists have also recorded it in much the same vein as Allison. Now in 2008, with all the unrest in the world, it seems fitting for this song to have new life once again. Ray Brown Jr. and Dr. Lonnie Smith have indeed given new life ...

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Recording

iTunes Goes "Brown" on August 12th

iTunes Goes "Brown" on August 12th

Source: All About Jazz

Los Angeles, August 6, 2008: On “New Music Tuesday", August 12th; iTunes, the world's largest music retailer, goes brown when it launches the world premiere of Ray Brown Jr's new album, Friends And Family. The new CD is an all-star duets album with Ray joined by Dionne Warwick, Jane Monheit, James Moody, Dr. John, Freda Payne, Melba Moore, David “Fathead" Newman, Sophie B. Hawkins, Paul Williams, Maria Muldaur, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Terry Gibbs, Sally Kellerman, Dave Somerville, Haylee and Kim ...

“All those "American Idol" contenders would do well to study closely Brown's exquisite phrasing, his breathing technique and his intonation. He has built on the impressive vocal skills he obviously inherited from his precious mother…You've heard most of these ten songs, but Brown gives each one a fresh and unique treatment.” -Roger Kirkpatrick from Off The Wall Records
Ruth Davies
bass, acoustic

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