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Artist
Ray Gelato
12+ albums
jazzswingswing revivalRetro Swingneo swing
about
Ray's father was probably his first musical influence. A US airman, living in London, Ray's dad had brought over a huge collection of great records. Young Gelato remembers hearing Sammy Davis, Dean Martin, Bill Haley, and many more, being played around the home, while he was growing up. This Love of music developed further when Ray was a teenager. Most nights, Ray could be found at Londons best Rock n Roll clubs, R n B venues and live gigs. Discovering the sounds of Louis Jordan and Louis Prima, among many other legendary entertainers, who would later be huge influences on Ray's music. In 1979, Ray took up tenor sax. Studying hard at night school and with private tutors, he developed a life-long love of jazz tenor sax playing. He was introduced to such sax greats as, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Illinois Jacquet, Ben Webster, etc. These masters became big influences on Gelato's sax playing. Around this time, Ray would ask to sit in with any live band that would let him! It was here that he realised that music was to be his life. 1982 saw the birth of The Chevalier Brothers with Maurice Chevalier, and remained Ray's band until 1988. After winning a talent contest at London's Camden Palace (the first time Ray was featured as lead vocalist), the band became the "darlings of the London club scene." With the help of Ray's long-time buddy and bass player, who became known as Clark Kent, The Chevalier Brothers pioneered a revival of interest in the swinging music of the '40s
