NEWS AND REVIEWS FROM RAY REACH


October 30, 2013, some good news from Ray Reach:

In 2011, Ray Reach was honored to become a Facebook friend of noted film composer / conductor / arranger William Ross (Harry Potter movie arranger / composer / conductor, conductor of the Academy Awards Orchestra, arranger / conductor for Barbara Streisand, etc, etc - www.WilliamRossMusic.com). Here are a few excerpts from their email and Facebook communications (used by permission of William Ross):

October 2, 2011, via Facebook, Ray Reach sent William Ross a Facebook friendship request:

Mr. Ross,

I'm a BIG fan of your work. I myself have done a little of what you do, although not on the magnificent scale that you have. (I wish I had one tenth of your talent and skill.) … I would be honored to be your Facebook friend…

All the best,

Ray


October 3, 2011, via Facebook:

Hi Ray,

Thanks for your note and your kind words. It's MY honor to have someone of your talent and ability to appreciate what I do. I took a moment to visit your website. I loved the charts and your terrific piano playing. Bravo!

Feel free to stay in touch…

Congratulations on all the good things that seem to be going on in your life...and your wonderful musicianship.

Best,

Bill


March 19, 2013, via email:

Hi Ray,

Thanks for staying in touch. I'm sorry I haven't got back to you sooner. I just can't seem to get ahead of the pile of things on my desk. I'm not complaining. It's what one of my friends calls a "quality problem"!

I did get a chance to listen to your CDs and, as with the other things I've heard you do, loved it. Your musicality comes through in anything you seem to write and play. Great job Ray!

If you are ever in the LA area, please give me a call. I would love to meet you and say “Hi” in person.

I'm hoping all is well with you.

All the best to you, Ray,

Bill


Ray Reach says:
WOW! Made my day… my month… my year… my decade!!!


April 21, 2013
- Ray Reach was presented with a Resulution from the Alabama State House of Representatives, commending him "... for his outstanding accomplishments..." and for his contributions to Music (and particularly Jazz) Education in Alabama.  (See the picture below.)



June 2, 2012 - Ray Reach's "Little Big Band" played for Allison Atwood's wedding at the Dunhopen Farm in Canton, Mississippi. Click here to view my blog about the event, including photos.



December 9, 2010 - Ray Reach's "Little Big Band" played for the Grand Opening of the ThyssenKrupp facility in Calvert, Alabama, near Mobile.  Below are a couple of videos done right before the show:


December 12, 2010 - Ray Reach & Friends were the "orchestra" for the Joan Rivers Show at the Alys Stephens Center For The Performing Arts. Here's a comment about the performance from Eric Essix, Artist Coordinator at the Stephens Center:
  • "Great job last night at Joan Rivers! She said you guys were one of the best orchestras she's had...I agree...thanks!"
December 19, 2010 - The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Student All-Star Band, directed by Ray Reach opened a concert for Grammy Award-winning vocal group, Take 6 at Old Car Heaven in Birmingham.  (See videos of this show on the "Videos" page of this website.)

February 4, 2011 - Ray Reach, Cleveland Eaton and Dr. Frank Adams participated in a panel discussion about "The Roots of Jazz Music in Alabama" at 10:00am at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame as a part of the Year of Alabama Music. Read the Birmingham News article about this event by clicking
here.

February 8 through February 28, 2011 - The world premier production of the play, "Tuxedo Junction, A Celebration of Erskine Hawkins" was given at
Birmingham Children's Theater. Musical arrangements, sound design and musical direction by Ray Reach.


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