Ray Reach

Ray Reach

Raymond Everett Reach, Jr. (born August 3, 1948) is an American pianist, vocalist and educator residing in Birmingham, Alabama, now serving as Director of Student Jazz Programs for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, director of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame All-Stars and President and CEO of Ray Reach Music and Magic City Music Productions. He is noted for his versatility and mastery of many diverse styles. In addition, he is an accomplished guitarist, arranger, composer, conductor and music producer. He has composed, arranged and performed in a variety of genre, and is well known for his work in Classical, Pop, R & B, Motown/Soul, Gospel, Rock, Classic Rock, Country (contemporary and traditional), Contemporary Christian and jazz music, but he is perhaps best known for his work in the jazz idiom, combining straight-ahead jazz piano stylings with Sinatra-style vocals. Like many male jazz vocalists, Reach's jazz repertoire centers on the classic popular standards and jazz standards of the Great American Songbook. However, he differs from many of his jazz vocal colleagues in that he does most of his own arrangements and accompanies himself on the piano.

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