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."

Ray Brown Jr - "Stand By Me"

 RAY'S NOTES

I wasn't as happy as I could have been with the opener I was using to start the night. Roiling down the road the thought of the Roy Orbison song Pretty Woman came to mind. Jose Marino my musical director and I talked about it and he and keyboardist Sandro Rebel came up with an arrangement. Later, "Sir Smooth" (Mister Robert Kyle) said, "let me do a horn arrangement".

Stand By Me is one of the two most emotional songs I'm doing right now. For me, it's about family I am often moved to tears during the Intro. The song for me is a total rush A tip of the hat again to Marino & Rebel, with a three point shot at the buzzer from "Yutaka".

On Broadway showed up as i was putting a show together, i thought about On Broadway and thought every version of this song has been very souiful, but far too positive There is a life iesson in this song. Don't give up

Who Can i Turn To, Jose Marino, what a gentleman, what a gentle man, what a passionate man. He is the "Ultimate Ally" I said, "Who Can i turn To" he started his "dance" and humming and During pne of our pre-production meetings I mentioned it would be nice to complete the feel with a verse in Portuguese. Immediately I thought of Lois Albez.

In wanting to do something for Mom and Dad, to say thank you for a wonderful musical heritage, to have seen, talked to, ran around backstage, and part of the time heard the "best" and to have been opened up and been given the gift of the beauty, power, emotion and joy of music. My first choice was Erroll Garner's Misty. It seems to me a nice marriage of the two personalities. My father was always telling me, 'You gotta have a burner, you gotta have a burner." We do this a little slower recorded

Irving Berlin's Cheek to Cheek and The Lady Is A Tramp by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart will be recorded forever. It's not stepping into shoes that have carried these two works of fantasy and art. It is putting yourself into another time and place and attitude. I am the "jeans and shirt" kinda guy but with Cheek to Cheek, break out the tux A special thanks to Blossom for helping me with the lyric on Cheek to Cheek

There is a response we get when we do Ecstasy (the one original on this project) I am ecstatic people like it as much as they do. I went with a dear friend to a wedding in Atlanta We stayed at the home of one of his sons. They put me in a room that brought back a lot of memories. I started thlnVdng about some very special people and the lyric owed out of me When I returned to California where I was living at the time, I sat down and immediately put this one to music

Fever John Davenport and Eddie Cooley, it's a love song!

Jambalaya by Hank Williams. It's about family, it is what makes music fun. It is what ties us all together.

The Players:
Keyboards: Sandra Rebel, Frank Zottoli, Joel Scott Carlos "Yutaka" Del Rosario Bass: Jose Marino Drums: Kevin Winard, Enzo Todesco Guitar: Federico Ramos, Paul D. Jameson Percussion: Cassio Duarte
Reeds: Robert Kyle Trumpet: Larry Williams Trombone: Eric Jorgensen

Vocal and Portuguese translation on Who Can I Turn To: Lois Albez

Produced by: Ray Brown Jr., Jose Marino and Carlos "Yutaka" Del Rosario

Recorded at: Visual Rhythm Sound Engineered by Carlos"Yutaka" Del Rosario and Fire Dog Studios *Engineered by Paul D. Jameson Thanks to the horn section, Eric and Larry. Especial thanks to Robert Kyle aka "Sir Smooth" Thanks Yutaka Mr. artistry, devotion and perfection.

To The Guys, Paul, and Jose for these many years, please don't make me get mushy, thanks for "standing by me". Fred, Sandra and Enzo. A very special thanks, you all have a special place in my heart, thank you for sharing yourtalents and giving me that universal comfort zone.

Frant cover photo by Floyd Hutson Rear Photo by Ray Brown Jr. Art Director: Ron Edwards.

There are many more who deserve thanks for blood, sweat, tears, inspiration, dedication and preservation. RE, AY, TG2 and the whole family! David & Blossom, now we can go to the beachl Mommy, now we can go to dinner.

• A *must-have* CD for every serious music lover!

  author: Roger Kirkpatrick/Off the Wall Records

  Offspring of famous parents often find it doubly difficult to be successful in the same field because of the huge shadow cast by their parents. Ray Brown, Jr., had *two* famous parents: legendary jazz bassist Ray Brown and inimitable vocalist Ella Fitzgerald; however, that doesn't keep Brown from carving out his own niche as an entertainer. Indeed, as we say in Texas, he's "the whole enchilada": singer/musician/composer/arranger/producer, and he performs all roles brilliantly! 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. As a producer, Brown has surrounded himself with a combo featuring some of the finest supporting musicians I've heard, including guitar, keyboards, sax, trombone, trumpet and a killer rhythm section. You've heard most of these ten songs, but Brown gives each one a fresh and unique treatment. (Who *ever* would've thought of performing Hank Williams' Jambalaya with a *calypso* beat? It works *beautifully*!) Brown's formidable skills as lyricist and composer are on display in his self-penned "Ecstacy," which more than holds its own among the time tested classics which surround it on "Stand By Me." Buy a copy of this excellent CD for yourself and another copy for someone you really like. Neither of you will be disappointed!

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