Blue, Ray
Jazzheads, 2019, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 25.4
Jazz Ruler Type: R&B+Jazz
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 82
O’s Notes: Saxophonist Ray Blue is an understated composer, producer and educator. He leads a band with Jeff Barone (g), Essiet Okon Essiet (b), Steve Johns (d) and Sharp Rodway (p). They open with a taste of calypso on ‘Work‘ and include warm ballads like ‘That’s All‘ with guest pianist Benito Gonzalez. We also enjoyed the mellow groove of ‘Everything Happens To Me‘ and ‘Amsterdam After Dark‘ with nice work by Ron Wilkins (tb) and Barone.
Publicist: Jazz Promo Services
