For the AJHoF Student All-Star Music Page click HERE.
JAZZ EDUCATION
Ray Reach has been an active jazz educator since the early 1970s. He has taught jazz courses and computer music (MIDI) courses and workshops at numerous colleges, including Cedar Valley College in Dallas, Texas, Birmingham-Southern College, the University of Montevallo, the University of Alabama, the University of North Texas and others. From 1998 to 2005, Ray was instructor of jazz and music technology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and director of the UAB Jazz Ensemble. He is currently (2005 - present) Director of Student Jazz Programs for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. He has been a faculty member of the W.C. Handy Jazz Camp, and is a regular featured performer at the W. C. Handy Music Festival and a member of the W. C. Handy Jazz All-Stars. In addition, he directs the "Fun With Jazz" Educational Program, which was originated through the Alys Stephens Center for the Performing Arts, and is now offered through the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
Jazz Education at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
Every Saturday, FREE jazz classes are offered at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, taught by Director of Student Jazz Programs Ray Reach and by Director of Education Emeritus Dr. Frank Adams. These classes are offered free of charge, supported by grants and donations. As a part of his duties at AJHoF, Ray Reach directs the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Student All-Star Band, a highly select group of young musicians chosen by competitive audition. For more information about these programs, call the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame at 205-327-9424 or email Ray at rreach@bellsouth.net.
Private Instruction
Ray is also available for private lessons at his studio and online via Skype. Subjects include:
- Voice
- Piano
- Music Theory
- MIDI and Computer Music
- Songwriting
- Arranging
- Composition