Ray Reach

Ray Reach and pianist Alex Bugnon, after the show at the Preserve Jazz Festival, June 2, 2013

Here's a picture of my friend, Dallas-based pianist extraordinaire Julie Bonk with her former student, Norah Jones. Julie gave Norah (who was in the 8th grade at the time) her first professional singing engagements, singing with Julie's band.

Ray Reach with jazz guitar icon Mundell Lowe at the W.C. Handy Festival.

Gary Burton and Ray reach at the Alys Stephens Center in Birmingham, January 25, 2013.

Ray Reach and Lou Marini in New York, 2004

Branford Marsalis and Ray Reach backstage at the Alys Stephens Center

L to R: Ellis Marsalis, John Nuckols & Ray Reach at the Alys Stephens Center

Howard Paul (CEO of Benedetto Guitars) and Ray Reach, during a visit to the Benedetto Guitar factory in Savannah, Georgia.

L to R: Steve Ramos, Lew Soloff and Ray Reach, backstage after the show at the 2008 Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival

Ray Reach and Lou Marini on Fox6 Birmingham, October, 2007.

Ray Reach with Bill Frissell and his drummer.

Jimmy Charles, George Schek and Ray Reach after a gig at The Jazz Corner, Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Bob Benedetto and Ray Reach, the day Ray took delivery of his Benedetto Bravo guitar.

L to R: Ray Reach, Howard Paul, George Schek and Chris Russell after a gig at The Jazz Corner in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Nashville Jazz Orchestra reading one of Ray's charts.

Lou Marini sitting in with Jim Williamson (trumpet) at Bee Gee Adair's gig at F. Scott's in Nashville.

L to R: Lou Marini, Ray Reach, Liane Hansen (of NPR) and the late Ernie Stires at a reception following a Carnegie Hall concert.

L to R: Ray Reach, Carla Stovall, Trey Anastasio (of Phish) and Lou Marini at a reception following a Carnegie Hall concert, 2004

L to R: Chuck Redd, Ray Reach, Mart Avant, Chris Wendle and Mike Lingo backstage at a SuperJazz concert.

The Ray Reach Orchestra (17 pieces) playing for a wedding reception in Chattanooga.

L to R: Bill Goodwin (drums), Neal Starkey (bass) and Ray Reach (piano) at the 2008 W.C. Handy Music Festival

Recording session, with the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, for the Lou's Blues CD at Bates Brothers Recording. Lou Marini on left, Ray Reach seated at piano on right.

Trumpeter Lew Soloff recording with the Magic City Jazz Orchestra at Workplay

L to R: Ray Reach, student bassist Sam Albright and Phil Wood's drummer/producer Bill Goodwin at a drum clinic at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

Ray Reach and Eric Marienthal at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

Ray Reach and Eddie "Knock On Wood" Floyd backstage at the Alys Stepohens Center

L to R: Ray Reach, Chuck Leavell and Peter Wolf at the 2008 BAMA Awards

Ray Reach and Peter Wolf (on the Right) with friends after the BAMA Awards, 2008.

L to R: Eric Bates, Lou Marini and Ray Reach at Bates Brothers Recording

Ray Reach receives proclamation from Alabama State legislature for his contributions to jazz education in Alabama