Ray studied string bass with Frank Carroll, former bassist with the NBC Orchestra. He studied bass, theory, and piano at Broward Community College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, playing with the college Symphony Orchestra. While living in Florida, he met the great jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius, becoming a private student of Jaco’s for two years. During this time, Ray began working as an in-demand bassist in the Miami area, playing and writing with Trinidadian jazz steel drummer Othello Molineaux’ band for three years. The band was nominated for the South Florida Writers’ Association Carbonell Award for best pop-rock act. Ray continued to work in the South Florida area with numerous acts, working with jazz groups, pop groups, and playing shows.

In 1985, Ray began a yearlong engagement with Blood, Sweat and Tears, which led him to move to New York in 1987. He toured extensively with Eddie Harris and Les McCann during the next few years, performing in both the U.S. and every major European city. Eddie Harris recorded two albums featuring Ray’s bass work during this period. Ray also performed along with his brother Ronnie in the band of Shalom Hanoch, one of Israel’s leading rock artists. He also toured Europe with the Funky Tenor All-Star Band, featuring Eddie Harris, Pee Wee Ellis, Karl Denson, Larry Goldings, and James Gadson. In the intermittent periods, he continued to work locally in New York.

During the past year, Ray has concentrated on writing, arranging, and producing his solo project, Galaxy Club, a CD of original music featuring performances by Dr. Lonnie Smith (recording artist also featured with George Benson, Lou Donaldson, et al), Othello Molineaux (solo artist, Jaco Pastorius, Monty Alexander, and Ahmad Jamal), J.T. Lewis (Herbie Hancock, Lou Reed, Vanessa Williams, Sting), Robert DeBellis (Don Byron, Muhal Richard Abrams), and Robert Thomas, Jr. (Weather Report, David Sanborn); as well as performing in Europe with Othello. He is currently looking for a label for this fine album of contemporary jazz, continuing to work in the New York area.

A CD of grooving, melodic contemporary jazz from 6-string and upright bassist Ray Peterson.  This album features performances by Dr. Lonnie Smith (solo artist, George Benson, Lou Donaldson) on organ and piano, Othello Molineaux (Jaco Pastorius, Ahmad Jamal, Monty Alexander) on steel drums; J.T. Lewis (Herbie Hancock, Sting, Vanessa Williams, Lou Reed) on drums; Robert Thomas, Jr. (Weather Report, David Sanborn) on hand drums, and Robert DeBellis (Don Byron, Muhal Richard Abrams) on saxes.

Mr. Peterson's sensual harmonic approach blends smoothly with both his Florida soul/calypso/reggae/Latin roots and the slickified R&B flava acquired by the artist during his 12-year tenure in New York City.  South meets North in a satisfying blend.

Samples:

mp3 (mp3.com)

Real Audio (cdbaby.com)