Ray Callender

Ray Callender was born in Winfield, Illinois.  The son of Charles Callender, a Chicago trumpeter and craftsman at Schilke Music Products, his love for his instrument began at an early age.  However, his love for the music didn't develop until early high school, sparked by a double-sided tape of Kind of Blue and Jazz at Massey Hall; he was instantly hooked.  Callender began to study the masters, especially Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, and Miles Davis, and his diligence earned him numerous honors while still in high school, including “Best Soloist” at the Chicago Area Jazz Festival, “Outstanding Soloist” at the Rolling Meadows Jazz Festival, and the 1996 Louis Armstrong Jazz Award.  Callender graduated Cum Laude from the University of North Florida jazz program where he studied with the legendary Bunky Green.  He performed with and composed for the top jazz ensemble and combo and was a featured soloist on UNF's Down Beat award-winning albums, Things To Come, Second Thoughts, and Through His Eyes, as well as recording with notable pianist/educator Dr. Keith Javors on his 2004 Zoho Records release, Mo' City Jungle.

In 2003, after winning an audition amongst hundreds of emerging jazz artists from all around the globe, Callender was selected by jazz legend Curtis Fuller as a "Jazz Star of Tomorrow." As a result, he performed in Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead Program at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. where he worked with esteemed artists including Fuller, Winard Harper, Carmen Lundy, Jimmy Owens, and John Clayton.  He was also one of only four trumpeters nationwide selected to perform at the Steans Institute Program for Jazz at Ravinia, where he had the opportunity to work with such venerable mentors as Dr. David Baker, James Moody, Rufus Reid, Danilo Perez, and Nathan Davis as well as perform with up and coming players like Aaron Parks, Kim Thompson, and Maurice Brown.  In addition, he was recognized twice by Down Beat magazine for Best Collegiate Jazz Combo (2002-2003).

Callender has performed in concert with such artists as Dave Brubeck, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Slide Hampton, Jon Faddis, James Moody, Antonio Hart, Benny Green, Dave Holland, Chris Potter, the 8-Bit Big Band, Snarky Puppy, Billy Childs, Pat Martino, Maurice Hines, Eddie Palmieri, Conrad Herwig, Dennis Mackrel, Percy Heath, Doug Carn, Ben Tucker, Calvin Newborn, Michael Carvin, Delbert Felix, Von Barlow, Steve Nelson, John Lee, Billy Kilson, Ignacio Berroa, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Houston Person, Bobby Shew, Marcus Printup, Pete Escovedo, Rene Marie, the Ritz Jazz Orchestra, the St.

Johns River City Band, Bruce Paulson, and Bob Mintzer.  Callender has performed at such venues as the Montreux Jazz Festival, the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Vienne Jazz Festival, the Savannah Jazz Festival, the Jacksonville Jazz Festival,the Rockefeller Center’s Rainbow Room, Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase, the Velvet Lounge, the International Association of Jazz Educators conference, the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and the Notre Dame Jazz Festival.  Callender is currently an adjunct professor of jazz trumpet at the University Of North Florida and also teaches at Morris Music Academy as well as performing regularly throughout the Southeast.

Gear

1947 Martin Committee trumpet, Couesnon Paris flugelhorn, and Curry mouthpieces