1 - American jazz double … Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist named Ray Brown.
1 - American jazz double bassist
2 - Australian singer/guitarist
1. Raymond Matthews Brown (October 13, 1926–July 2, 2002) was an American jazz double bassist.
Ray Brown was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and had piano lessons from the age of eight. After noticing how many pianists attended his high school, he thought of taking up the trombone, but was unable to afford one. With a vacancy in the high school jazz orchestra, he took up the double bass.
A major early influence on Brown's bass playing was the bassist in the Duke Ellington band, Jimmy Blanton. As a young man Ray Brown became steadily more well known in the Pittsburgh jazz scene, with his first experiences playing in bands with the Jimmy Hinsley Sextet and the Snookum Russel band. After graduating from high school, hearing stories about the burgeoning jazz scene on 52nd Street, in New York City, he bought a one way ticket to New York.
Arriving in New York at the age of twenty, he met up with Hank Jones, with whom he had previously worked, and was introduced to Dizzy Gillespie, who was looking for a bass player. Gillespie hired Brown on the spot and he soon played with such established musicians as Art Tatum and Charlie Parker.
From 1946 to 1951 he played in Gillespie's band. Brown, along with the vibraphonist Milt Jackson, drummer Kenny Clarke, and the pianist John Lewis formed the rhythm section of the Gillespie band, and their work together eventually led to the creation of the Modern Jazz Quartet.
Around this time Brown was also appearing in Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts, organised by Norman Granz. It was at these concerts that he met the jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, whom he married in 1947. Together they adopted a child born to Fitzgerald's half-sister Francis, whom they christened Ray Brown, Jr. Fitzgerald and Brown divorced in 1952.
It was at a Jazz at the Philharmonic concert in 1949 that Brown first worked with the jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, in whose trio Brown would play from 1951 to 1966. After leaving the Trio he became a manager and promoter as well as a performer.
In 1966, he settled in Los Angeles where he was in high demand working for various television show orchestras. He also accompanied some of the leading artists of the day, including Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstine, Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan, and Nancy Wilson. He also managed his former musical partners, the Modern Jazz Quartet, as well as a young Quincy Jones, produced some shows for the Hollywood Bowl, wrote jazz double bass instruction books, and developed a jazz cello.
It was whilst in Los Angeles that he composed music for films and television shows. He was awarded his first Grammy for his composition, "Gravy Waltz", a tune which would later be used as the theme song for The Steve Allen Show.
In the 1980s and 1990s he led his own trios and continued to refine his bass playing style. In his later years he recorded and toured extensively with pianist Gene Harris. In the early 1980s, he discovered Diana Krall in a restaurant in Nanaimo, British Columbia.
He continued to perform until his death; he died while taking a nap before a show in Indianapolis.
2. Ray Brown & The Whispers were a highly successful Australian rock band from 1964-67. Led by singer Ray Brown, they ranked alongside The Easybeats, Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs and Normie Rowe as one of the most popular acts of the period. After a few name and personnel changes which led to short lived incarnations, Ray sought to further/widen his career and in late '67 Ray headed overseas and spent two years working in the U.S.A. which included the recording of a solo album Just Ray Brown for Capitol, produced by American composer arranger producer David Axelrod. Despite the name producer and large budget, it flopped, largely due to poor choices of material by the company. According to a contemporary interview from Go-Set, Ray declared that "Capitol spent $30,000 on it, put in a 30 piece orchestra and then wouldn't let me pick my own material."
3. Ray Brown is from Tallahassee, FL and has been writing songs and performing since 2010. His debut album, CANYON, was released in August, 2012. The East Village arts quarterly, BOOG CITY describes his songs as "funny and tragic at the same time" and The New Yorker dubbed him "a solid songwriter".
https://raybrown.bandcamp.com
Georgia On My Mind
Ray Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A short time later they all watched in awe and all of a sudden I'm here
She was also my father so I hardly got to see her
I was afraid of the dark, but it was only 'cause I was a believer
I was told when I was two years old
She swore that I would be special
I took a good look around and thought
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
When they ask me where I'm from
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
I'm movin' on using mostly dirt roads until I find my way
Campbellton Road, can't forget Cascade or remember both MLK
There's somethin' about Atlanta, doesn't cease to amaze me
Oh, after all you even raised the people that raised me
And my old man is very dead, can't be mad now why bother?
And you have been my mother nature also my godfather
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
When they ask me where I'm from
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
When they ask me where I'm from
I'm proud to say that I'm your son
The lyrics of Ray Brown's song "Georgia On My Mind" express the artist's deep connection to his home state and his personal history. The first stanza reveals that Ray Brown's mother played a significant role in his upbringing, acting as both his mother and father figure. Although he didn't get to spend much time with her, she had always believed he was special and destined for great things. This idea of destiny is reflected in the line "Don't worry mama this city's gonna help ya". This is alluding to how the city of Georgia, with all its opportunities, can help him achieve what his mother envisioned for him.
Throughout the song, Brown reminisces on his childhood spent in Georgia, recalling the roads and neighborhoods that are significant to him. He also mentions the influence of his father and how he's come to peace with his passing. The final stanza is a tribute to Georgia, his home, and how it has shaped him into the person he is today. He is proud to call himself a son of Georgia and is grateful for the role it has played in his life.
Overall, "Georgia On My Mind" is a deeply personal and nostalgic song that speaks to the artist's attachment to his home state and his past. It is a tribute to the people and places that have made him who he is today.
Line by Line Meaning
Back down memory lane, I began as my mother's bright idea
Reflecting on the past, I originated from my mother's plan and vision
A short time later they all watched in awe and all of a sudden I'm here
Soon after, everyone marveled at my arrival
She was also my father so I hardly got to see her
Due to my mother also being my father, I had limited opportunities to be with her
I was afraid of the dark, but it was only 'cause I was a believer
My fear of the dark was only due to my strong beliefs
I was told when I was two years old, She swore that I would be special
At the age of two, my mother promised that I would have a unique destiny
I took a good look around and thought, Don't worry mama this city's gonna help ya
Observing my surroundings, I reassured my mother that this city would support us
Georgia, you'll always be home to me
Georgia will forever be my home
Georgia, I belong to you and yes you belong to me
I am connected to Georgia and it is connected to me
When they ask me where I'm from, I'm proud to say that I'm your son
When people inquire about my origin, I am proud to declare that I am from Georgia
I'm movin' on using mostly dirt roads until I find my way
I am navigating through life using unconventional means until I reach my destination
Campbellton Road, can't forget Cascade or remember both MLK
I recall certain streets in Atlanta, such as Campbellton Road and Cascade, but cannot remember others like MLK
There's somethin' about Atlanta, doesn't cease to amaze me
There is an inexplicable quality about Atlanta that continues to inspire and surprise me
Oh, after all you even raised the people that raised me
Georgia even influenced the upbringing of those who raised and influenced me
And my old man is very dead, can't be mad now why bother?
My father has passed away, so there is no point in holding onto anger towards him
And you have been my mother nature also my godfather
Georgia has provided me with both a nurturing motherly influence and also a protective, guiding force like a godfather would
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management
Written by: David Guy, Homer Steinweiss, Leon Michels, Nick Movshon, Thomas Brenneck, Thomas Callaway
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pablo Dias
Thank you so much! Wonderful playing and outstanding tunes and themes. Lately, this has become my favorite channel by far. Please keep sharing all this wonders with us. Thank you very much, whoever and wherever you are! Cheers from Brazil! You've been saving the vibe for so many days I couldn't count anymore. Eternal thanks. 👏💟
1003 koko
Thank you for the wonderful live! I was really impressed by this trio! Greeting from Japan.
James Richardson
Ray Brown is the greatest bassist ever lived, and his passing was the saddest day of my life. He influence me to become a Upright Double Bass Player, and be my best at all times. He has a method bass book every bassist should own, Ray Brown's Methods Essential Scales Patterns and Exercises, Hal Leonard Books. Jeff Hamilton is a monster of a drummer, one of the best in Jazz Music 🎵🎶.
the16thGemini
So nice to hear Gene Harris playing Miles Davis' All Blues !!!!!!!
Volker Platte
I will never forget that night in Paris in a tiny jazz-club, forgot the name. The concert should have started 10 pm. but these three only pitched up at just before midnight. Not more than 50 people attended and we were right in front of the stage sitting on our table, holding on to our drinks when my wife shouted: „hey Ray, you are kind of late“ and Ray Brown started explaining that something was wrong with the stamps in the passport when they entered France and that's why…
Anyway, we listened to a great session and boy when Gene Harris gave his version of ‚Summertime‘ that was really mindblowing…… Check out 'Gene Harris live at Maybeck' !
Robert Turner
Wow
Volker Platte
…..and thank you very much for uploading all these treasures, only discovered your channel recently. thank god I'm retired so I've the time to listen to all your recent uploads …. saludos from Spain
Kenneth Hodges
This recording is sheer joy, which is an essential ingredient that is lacking in so much of what passes for jazz today!
Ronald Unkel
The bluesiest of pianists with Ray pushing the beat along. Anyone should check out Gene Harris and “The Three Sounds” albums from the 50’s/60’s on the best jazz label, imo, - Blue Note Records - ! This live-gig is truly fantastic, folks! Dig/Enjoy & Cheers!
the16thGemini
The Three Sounds were indeed one of the best trios and the trio for Blue Note Records !!!!!!!