Carline Ray
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Carline Ray | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 21, 1925 Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 18, 2013 (aged 88) Manhattan |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer |
| Instrument(s) | Piano, guitar |
Carline Ray (April 21, 1925 – July 18, 2013) was a jazz instrumentalist and vocalist. She was a member of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
Carline Ray was born in Manhattan on April 21, 1925. Her father was Elisha Ray, a horn player.[1]
She entered Juilliard at age 16, graduating in 1946 after studying piano and composition. She earned a master's degree in voice from the Manhattan School of Music in 1956.[2]
Career
After graduation from Juilliard, Ray joined the International Sweethearts of Rhythm as a rhythm guitar player and vocalist.[3] After the Sweethearts disbanded, Ray played guitar and sang for Erskine Hawkins and later performed in a trio with fellow former Sweetheart Pauline Braddy.[1] She sang back up for Patti Page and Bobby Darrin, and she performed in choruses conducted by Leonard Bernstein.[3] She recorded with Mary Lou Williams and also worked with Skitch Henderson, Marian McPartland, and Sy Oliver.[4] In 1997, Ray formed the group Jazzberry Jam with pianist Bertha Hope and percussionist Paula Hampton.
She appears in the 2011 documentary film The Girls in the Band.[5] She released Vocal Sides, her first album as a lead singer, the year of her death. The album was produced by her daughter Catherine.[5]
Personal life
Ray married Luis Russell in 1956. Their daughter Catherine Russell is a jazz singer.[5]
