Ray Anderson
Born in Chicago in 1952, Ray Anderson started playing trombone when he was eight. "The music I remember from my parent's house includes many Dixieland records (which inspired me to select trombone as my instrument) as well as Mahalia Jackson, Broadway shows, Mozart concertos and various folk singers. I played trombone in the orchestra and jazz big band at the University of Chicago Lab School. I was introduced to everything from John Cage to the Blues, from Archie Shepp, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane and Bird to Motown, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Sly and the Family Stone; I also heard some of the early AACM concerts. Thus I developed an omnivorous taste in music which has only grown over the years."
After three years in California, playing in funk, R&B and jazz groups, Ray Anderson moved to New York City in 1972. He picked up a wide variety of musical experience, played in the booming loft scene and spent important periods with Barry Altschul's trio and Anthony Braxtons' quartet. "Playing with Braxton (during 1978-81) really ended my period of apprenticeship and I've led or co-led my own groups ever since." These bands have included the wild funk unit Slickaphonics and a trio with bassist Mark Helias and drummer Gerry Hemingway called BassDrumBone. Now Anderson can be heard leading his quartet (piano or guitar, upright bass and drums), his Wishbone Ensemble (which adds percussion and violin to the quartet), his Alligatory Band (electric bass and guitar, drums, percussion and trumpet) his Bonified Big Band (classic big band instrumentation) and Ray's latest incarnation, The Pocket Brass Band featuring Jack Walrath on Trumpet, Bob Stewart on Tuba and Charli Persip on Drums. Ray is also a member of Slideride, a four trombone cooperative featuring Craig Harris, George Lewis and Gary Valente.
Tags
Album Review
- BIMWO Swing by Glenn Astarita
- Where Home Is by Glenn Astarita
- Bonemeal by C. Michael Bailey
- Ibrahim Electric Meets Ray Anderson Again by Laurel Gross
Profile
Album Review
- Hear You Say by Bruce Lindsay
- A B D by Glenn Astarita
- ABD by Troy Collins
- Being the Point by Stefano Merighi
June 18, 2011
Ray Anderson, Han Bennink & Christy Doran: ABD on hatOLOGY
January 31, 2011
The Jazz Session #236: Ray Anderson
June 11, 2009
Felix Stussi 5 & Ray Anderson: Canadian Tour
December 24, 2007
Soul of the Blues (Wed) Wap3 + Maria Cangiano (Thu) Joe Fiedler Trio...
February 14, 2007
Last Licks Cafe Presents Ray Anderson's Pocket Brass Band Saturday,...
December 16, 2005
John McNeil East Coast Cool (Fri.) Mark Helias/Ray Anderson Duo (Sat.)...
December 09, 2005
Mark Helias/Ray Anderson Duo Saturday, December 17 at the Cornelia...
August 22, 2005
String and Bow Festival: Mark Helias & Ray Anderson, John Lindberg;...
April 22, 2005
Ray Anderson Quintet At Sweet Rhythm Friday and Saturday April 29& 30th
October 05, 2004
Ray Anderson Solos & Duos with Bob Stewart at Cornelia Street Cafe...