Ray Anderson (born October 16, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois) is an independent… Read Full Bio ↴Ray Anderson (born October 16, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois) is an independent jazz trombone and trumpet player. Anderson is a boisterous trombonist who is masterful at multiphonics. Trained by the Chicago Symphony trombonists, he is regarded as pushing the limits of the instrument. He is a contemporary and colleague of trombonist/composer George Lewis. Anderson also plays Sousaphone and sings.

After spending study time in California, he moved to New York in 1973 and freelanced. In 1977, Anderson joined Anthony Braxton's Quartet (replacing George Lewis) and started working with Barry Altschul's group. From this point forward he started ranking high in polls and becoming influential himself. In addition to leading his own groups since the late '70s (including the funk-oriented Slickaphonics), Anderson has worked with George Gruntz's Concert Jazz Band. In the '90s, he began taking an occasional good-humored vocal, during which he shows the ability to sing two notes at the same time (a minor third apart).

The prolific Anderson also has demonstrated his special supportive skills on a remarkably wide assortment of albums by David Murray, Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra, Dr. John, Luther Allison, Bennie Wallace, Gerry Hemingway, Henry Threadgill, John Scofield, Roscoe Mitchell, Randy Sandke's Inside Out Band, Sam Rivers' Rivbea Orchestra, Bobby Previte and others. Anderson is also a member of Jim Pugh's Super Trombone with Dave Bargeron and Dave Taylor. He also received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for a series of solo trombone concerts.

While pushing his sound into the future, Anderson has frequently returned to his early love of New Orleans music for inspiration. His Alligatory Band as well as his Pocket Brass Band, featuring tuba great Bob Stewart, are rooted in its tradition.

Since 2003 he has taught and conducted at Stony Brook University.

Selected Discography

* Ray Anderson: Harrisburg Half Life (Moers, 1980)
* Slickaphonics: Humatonic Energy (Blue Heron Records, 1985)
* BassDrumBone: Wooferlo (Soul Note, 1987)
* Ray Anderson: What Because (Gramavision, 1989)
* Ray Anderson: Wishbone (Gramavision, 1991)
* Ray Anderson: Every One Of Us (Gramavision, 1992)
* Ray Anderson Alligatory Band: Don't Mow Your Lawn (Enja, 1994)
* Ray Anderson / Craig Harris / George Lewis / Gary Valente : Slideride (Hat Hut, 1994)
* Ray Anderson / Han Bennink / Christy Doran : Azurety (Hat Art, 1994)
* Ray Anderson / Han Bennink / Christy Doran : Cheer Up (Hat Art, 1995)
* Ray Anderson Pocket Brass Band: Where Home Is (Enja, 1998)
* Ray Anderson: Bonemeal (Raybone Music, 2000)
* Bobby Previte & Bump: Just Add Water (Palmetto, 2001)
* Ray Anderson / Ibrahim Electric: Ibrahim Electric Meets Ray Anderson (Sundance, 2005)

Once In A While
Ray Anderson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Once in a while will you try to give
One little thought to me
Though someone else may be
Nearer your heart?

Once in a while will you dream
Of the moments I shared with you
Moments before we two

Drifted apart?

In love's smoldering ember
One spark may remain
If love still can remember
That spark may burn again

I know that I'll be contented
With yesterday's memory
Knowing you think of me
Once in a while

In love's smoldering ember
One spark may remain
If love still can remember
The spark may burn again

I know that I'll be contented
With yesterday's memory

Knowing you think of me
Once in a while

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ray Anderson's song "Once in a While" express the longing of someone who once shared a romantic connection with another person, but now finds themselves separated from that person and unsure if they are still thought of fondly. They ask if the other person would "once in a while" think of them or give them "one little thought". They wonder if the memories they share are still alive in the other person's mind and if there is still a possibility for a spark to be rekindled. The singer comes to accept that they may only have the memory of their past love, but find comfort in the thought that the other person may still think of them occasionally.

The song is filled with melancholy, but also a sense of hopefulness. The lyrics suggest that although the relationship may be in the past, there is still a possibility for it to be rekindled. The use of the phrase "smoldering ember" to describe the remaining feelings of love between the two characters hints that even though the fire may have died down, it is not completely gone. The song captures the sense of yearning that comes with unrequited love and the hope that still accompanies that pain.

Line by Line Meaning

Once in a while will you try to give
Do you ever take the time to consider me, even briefly, every so often?

One little thought to me
Even if it’s just a small reflection, do you ever think of me?

Though someone else may be
Even though there might be someone else closer to your heart now

Nearer your heart?
Do I still hold a special place in your heart?

Once in a while will you dream
Do you ever dream about the times we spent together?

Of the moments I shared with you
Do you ever think about the happy memories we made?

Moments before we two
The moments before we grew apart

Drifted apart?
When we stopped being close to each other

In love's smoldering ember
The remaining love between us

One spark may remain
Just a flicker of that love may persist

If love still can remember
If the love we had can still persist in our minds