Sound Ray is an album by pianist Ray Bryant recorded and released by Cadet Records in 1969.
Although he could always play bop, Ray Bryant's playing combined together older elements (including blues, boogie-woogie, gospel, and even stride) into a distinctive, soulful, and swinging style; no one played "After Hours" quite like him. The younger brother of bassist Tommy Bryant and the uncle of Kevin and Robin Eubanks (his sister is their mother), Bryant started his career playing with Tiny Grimes in the late '40s. He became the house pianist at The Blue Note in Philadelphia in 1953, where he backed classic jazz greats (including Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, and Lester Young) and made important contacts…
Pianist Ray Bryant solidified his reputation with this outstanding 1957 trio release. It displayed his facility with the blues, speed, gospel influence, and interpretive abilities on such songs as John Lewis' "Django" and Clifford Brown's "Daahoud." It also contained Bryant's funky originals "Splittin" and "Blues Changes," and was punctuated by Ike Isaacs' careful bass work and Specs Wright's loose, in the groove drumming. This set has recently been reissued by Fantasy, and the remastering provides a fine sonic framework for Bryant's heady, unpredictable, and often exciting playing.
Avid Jazz continues with its Four Classic album series with a re-mastered 2CD release by Ray Bryant, complete with original artwork and liner notes. “Ray Bryant Trio 1956”; “Alone With The Blues”; “Little Susie” and “Hollywood Jazz Beat”.
Born on Christmas Eve in Philadelphia, 1961, Ray Bryant began picking out tunes on the piano at the tender age of six. His mother, an accomplished pianist gave him his first lessons before he moved on to other teachers and finally joined the local musicians union at fourteen! He quickly became the house pianist at the Blue Note club in Philadelphia where he says he made more money than his piano teachers! Finally he headed out on tour with his trio supporting vocalist Carmen McCrea and in 1958 joined the Jo Jones Trio…
Ray's choice of material again borrows from a wide musical palette and we are treated to fine performances of jazz originals, standard ballads, a folk tune and a recent Rock 'n Roll hit. The title tune, Lonesome Traveler, is a fitting follow-up to Gotta Travel On of the previous Cadet album. If someone can be lonesome and happy at the same time, then this condition must apply to Ray; because there's nothing lonesome sounding about the joyful groove he and his companions achieve on this track.
Pianist Ray Bryant solidified his reputation with this outstanding 1957 trio release. It displayed his facility with the blues, speed, gospel influence, and interpretive abilities on such songs as John Lewis' "Django" and Clifford Brown's "Daahoud." It also contained Bryant's funky originals "Splittin" and "Blues Changes," and was punctuated by Ike Isaacs' careful bass work and Specs Wright's loose, in the groove drumming.
Norman Granz is one of the most important non-musicians in the history of Jazz and no one has made a greater contribution to the staging, recording and filming of Jazz concerts. This series of performances from the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival now makes a part of this legacy available on DVD for the first time. Ray Bryant brought to modern Jazz not only the deep roots of the Blues but also the sounds and passion of Gospel.
Digitally remastered and expanded edition. With her soaring voice and often fiery abandon, the great Aretha Franklin epitomized Soul at it's most Gospel charged. Lithe and sultry, assertive and caressing, knowing and luxuriant, her singing melts down any divisions between Gospel, Soul, Jazz and Blues, bringing an improvisatory spirit even to the most cut and dried Pop material. This quintessential collector's edition contains Franklin's magnificent debut album for Columbia, Aretha (1961), featuring an all star group conducted by Ray Bryant. In addition, we have included eight bonus tracks consisting of hard to find sides from Aretha's early years on the Checker, JVB, and Columbia labels. It serves as the best introduction for anyone wanting to explore Lady Soul's first steps. This is the material upon which Aretha's soul kingdom and unique personal style were built. Soul Jam Records.