Ray Reach and Friends

Ray Reach and Friends is a professional musical group, ranging in size from trio to nonette, directed by pianist / vocalist Ray Reach. Specializing in jazz, classic rhythm and blues and soul music, classic rock and Sinatra-style vocals, the group includes some of the finest jazz / pop musicians in Alabama, including: Chris Wendle (bass), Robert Dickson (bass), Cleveland Eaton (bass) or Abe Becker (bass), Steve Ramos (drums), Sonny Harris (drums) or John Nuckols (drums), Tommy Stewart (trumpet), Omari Thomas (trumpet), Ken Watters (trumpet), Dave Amaral (saxophones), Gary Wheat (saxophones), Dave Miller (saxophone and chromatic harmonica), Chad Fisher (trombone) and Carlos Pino, Tom Wolfe or Mark Kimbrell on guitar. This popular group plays for concerts, jazz festivals and other events all over the Southeast, including Birmingham's City Stages and the Taste of 4ht Avenue Jazz Festival and the W. C. Handy Music Festival in Florence, Alabama.

Recent performances

In January 2008, Ray appeared as guest artist with the Howard Paul Trio at the well-known Jazz Corner on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

On March 20, 2008, Ray was invited by Chuck Leishman, publisher of The Birmingham Weekly, to direct the house band at the 2008 Birmingham Area Music Awards (the "BAMA" awards). The house band, known as The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars, played behind noted BAMA Award recipients Chuck Leavell and Peter Wolf. Peter Wolf and the BAMA Awards.

From July 20 through July 26, 2008, Ray Reach & Friends performed at the W. C. Handy Music Festival, with well-known jazz players such as guitarist Mundell Lowe, drummer Bill Goodwin, trumpeter Ken Watters, guitarist Lloyd Wells and saxophonists Kelley O'Neal and Rick Bell. This was Ray's sixth year to perform at the W. C. Handy Festival, which this year hosted almost 300 events in a 7 day period.

On August 21, 2008, Ray was featured on the "Tapestry" radio show on WBHM Radio 90.3 FM in Birmingham, Alabama, hosted by Greg Bass. The show airs every thursday at 6:30pm Central Time. Interview with Ray Reach on "Tapestry" on WBHM Radio, Birmingham, AL

On September 27, 2008, Ray Reach & Friends, with saxophonist Gary Wheat, drummer Steve Ramos, and former Count Basie bassist Cleveland Eaton, with guest, New York trumpeter Lew Soloff, will appear at the Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival in Birmingham, Alabama. Taste of Fourth Avenue Jazz Festival

On October 3rd and 4th, 2008, Ray Reach & Friends will appear at the Jazz Corner in Hilton Head, South Carolina.<ref>Ray Reach at The Jazz Corner</ref>

Recordings

• "Especially For You" (1994). Jazz quartet
• "Have Yourself A Jazzy Little Christmas" (2005). Jazz quartet, recorded at CBS Recording Studios

External link

• Ray Reach and Friends at MySpace.com