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Ray Brown's Page
Profile Information
- What instrument do you play?
- Keyboards
- Who influenced you to listen to jazz
- All the greats before me
- How did you find out about the WDCJN?
- From a friend
- Official Facebook Profile
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Tokyo-Flash-Band/173247006023546
- Where are you located?
- New York, NY
- Tell us about yourself
- I am a former member of Ecstasy, Passion & Pain and the legendary Jimmy Castor Bunch. My musical journey began as a child when I would bang on a piano every chance I got. My parents recognized my interest in music and tried to coax me into taking music lessons, which I refused to do because I didn't feel I had the discipline necessary to practice. In retrospect, I probably refused lessons because I didn't want to study classical music. I wanted to play rhythm and blues. I eventually spent many more hours listening to records and trying to match the notes on the piano than I would have if I had taken lessons, but at least it was a labor of love. In the seventh grade, I attended William H. Carr Junior High School in Bayside, Queens, NY. During the year, the school sponsored a songwriting contest with the goal of finding a new school song. I won the contest and as a prize received a $25.00 gift certificate to the student store which I used to purchase a drum pad and a pair of drumsticks. After convincing my parents that drums were my instrument of choice rather than the clarinet they made me play in school band, they bought me a set of drums and a rhythm and blues musician was born.
After a couple of years with various bands, I began playing bass guitar and played in my first recording session with a jazz and r&b group called the Rhythm and Blues Quartet but my biggest successes came after I began playing the keyboard. I played keyboard with several bands before deciding to form my own band, The Soul Syndicate. My band was working with a 3 voice brother and sister act called Whirlwind when I was discovered by their manager, Phil Braxton, who also managed the hot disco group Ecstasy,Passion and Pain. I was auditioned and invited to join Ecstasy,Passion and Pain and toured nationally and internationally with them for over a year.
During a show on the same bill with the Jimmy Castor Bunch, I was asked by Jimmy Castor if I would be interested in joining his group. I was interested and played with the Bunch for many years.
In 1983 some of my friends and I were the first people of color featured in a rock video on VH1. I was in the Grammy nominated videos "Uptown Girl" and "Tell Her About It" for Billy Joel.
Some down time in my career with the Bunch was spent as the musical director and road manager for acts managed by Buddy Allen Management (Spinners). They hired me to work with Ronnie Dyson and Stacy Lattisaw. The Stacy Lattisaw job was unique in that it was my first experience working with a teenage artist. Due to her tender age, (she was 12 when I first started working with her), Buddy Allen Management trained me to handle her business affairs while she toured. This management experience fueled my interest in helping to mold the careers of artists and has led me to become a partner in White Light Music and Zoom Management, a new artist management company that includes The Tokyo Flash Band as a client. I have been producing music for commercial and industrial applications for several years and am presently producing my first solo project which will be ready for release later this year.
Badge
Executive Director & Founder
Washington DC Jazz Network
Since 2008
New CD Release
Walk Spirit Talk Spirit
Talkin Jazz! Speakin Jazz! Real Jazz!
Listen to WPFW
Robyn's Place with Robyn Holden, Friday 7 - 10 pm
Good Music and Conversation
Special Guest
George V Johnson Jr
Friday, July 22, 2022
8:00 pm
featuring New CD Release
Walk Spirit, Talk Spirit! Wpfwfm.org
Are you a Music Connoisseur and have a Extensive Knowledge of Music History? Test your skills
Sign Up Today and Play Jazzology with host Willard Jenkins
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Looking forward to this Sunday Serenade come Sunday April 24th, when VTY Jazz pays their respects to trombonist Benny Powell. All of this will be going down live at the fabulous Cutting Room and just to pull your coats, their will be no squares allowed �de42. If your Hip you know the deal and where to be come Sunday April 24th. Reservations are strongly suggested, 917-882-9539. April is Jazz Appreciation month, but for the Hip, Jazz appreciation is 24/7 twelve months a year. If your not Hip you need to get Hip quick because you're missing some great music and vibes. Hope to see you live and in-person at the Cutting Room on April 24th.
Congratulations, Herb Scott, on being named Recipient of 2022 JOSEPH R. BIDEN LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREE
#POTUS
A True Cultural Warrior Thank you for your hard work and dedication to America's Classical Music "So Called Jazz."
Keep on Swinging!
I'm very happy to inform you the Digital Copy of my New Album
Walk Spirit Talk Spirit
Is Available On All Major Streaming Platforms
Orrin Evans
The DC Jazz Festival in collaboration with the Howard University Department of Music is presenting jazz pianist Orrin Evans in a 3 day jazz residency beginning on March 15-17, 2022.
For me, music and life are all about style~~~Miles Davis
Cock your hat - angles are attitudes~~Frank Sinatra
A different type of church
Straight Ahead Live Jazz
Every Friday 6-9pm
"It's the best deal in town"
Bring the family * Spread the word * Let's celebrate!
Dick Smith
Executive Producer
A Member of the Washington DC Jazz Network
Howard Alden & Jeanne Gies
November 5, 2012
JEANNE GIES
A Member of the Washington DC Jazz Network
w/ Master Guitarist
New York Post observes that he is "...one of the very finest young guitarists working today."
October 29, 2012
The W.D.C.J.N. is now internationally reaching Jazz musician, enthusiasts and aficionados, promoters, festivals of Jazz around the world. A real eye opener for people researching the history and present day development an evolution of America’s only original art form and historical legacy.
Sincerely!!!
Maxwell Price
An Advocate for Preserving America's Classical Music, "JAZZ", it's African American Heritage, Roots & Legacy throughout the world!
Executive Director & Founder
Washington DC Jazz Network
The Eddie Jefferson School of Bop
Hello George, I am proud to be a member of the Washington DC Jazz Network (WDJN).
I am able to find out what's going on in town and on the east coast
and to network with other musicians. I get a lot of my news from the emails I receive from WJN.
I also would like to thank you for supporting the Jazz
program at Howard University in Washington, DC. Keep up the great work.~~~FRED IRBY
The Howard University Jazz Ensemble will present it's Fall Concert @ Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel.
The guest soloist will be saxophonist Javon Jackson. Mr. Jackson is a veteran of the bands of Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Elvin Jones and Les McCann. There will also be a performance by AFRO BLUE, the award winning vocal jazz ensemble.
WATSON-JOHNSON
DANCE THEATRE
Trenton New Jersey's Premiere Dance Institution
Presents
"NUTCRACKER CAFE' AU LAIT" Sat., Dec. 22, 2012 RSVP Today!
Bring the Entire Family!
Available for
Bookings & Tours
609.403.6070
Ms. Carol
Artistic Director Founder Choreographer
B.F.A. Howard University 1980
A Member of the Washington DC Jazz Network
A Member of the Washington DC Jazz Network
Washington DC Jazz Network Welcomes
Public Service Announcements (PSA) on radio and television stations.
Support the Network that Supports you!
I fully endorse this institution and encourage anyone that is fond of Jazz to visit the Washington D.C. Jazz Network; today and become a member or make a donation to a worthy cause.
Sincerely!!!
Maxwell Price
TODAY!
A different type of church
Straight Ahead Live Jazz
Every Friday 6-9pm
"It's the best deal in town"
Bring the family * Spread the word * Let's celebrate!
Dick Smith
Executive Producer
A Member of the Washington DC Jazz Network
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Hey Ray Thanks for the add....I would love to hit with you .
Mark
Hi Ray...thanks for requesting to be a friend
Yours in music,
barry
Blessings Ray...
Have not forgotten you...Get these shows out the way and i will work on the live ...