Justin Ray

Justin Ray is one of three outstanding trumpet players in the Bublé band and his been touring with Michael right from the start. On tour, Justin has played stunning solos in "My Funny Valentine" and in Jason Goldman's arrangement of "Smile".

My fondest memory of seeing Justin perform was during Michael's Valentine's weekend run of concerts at the Las Vegas Hilton, February, 2006. Throughout Justin's astounding high-energy solo during "Smile" one night, I noticed a lady in the audience had risen to her feet to applaud Justin's performance ~ the lady turned out to be Justin's Mum and she looked so proud of her immensely talented son up on stage it was a truly remarkable reaction to an overwhelming performance. As much as Justin plays his heart out every night you couldn't help but feel that he had found a little something extra that evening, just to give to his Mum!

Born July 1, 1975, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Justin graduated from Del Norte High School and received a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts where he graduated with a Degree in Music Education and performed with a number of different ensembles. He completed his Masters Degree at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he fast became one of the most in-demand jazz trumpeters in the region, performing with artists including Bill Cunliffe, Alan Pasqua, Joe LaBarbara and Kurt Elling.

Together with fellow Bublé band member, Rob Wilkerson, Justin is a mentor on the Young Razzcals Jazz Project which gives youngsters the opportunity to learn improvisation techniques and musical phrasing from prominent jazz musicians who have volunteered their time and expertise.

Justin composed the first track on the The Jason Goldman Nonet recording, "The Definitive Standard", entitled "Nadir Doofve". In addition to the trumpet Justin also plays the flugelhorn on that recording.

In 2003, Justin recorded his first album, "The Thing". He has recently finished recording a new CD, entitled "Justin Ray", featuring Randy Napoleon on guitar and Rob Perkins on drums, which he launched at a CD release party in his hometown of Albuquerque, NM, on July 17, 2006.


Upcoming Performances

Justin Ray is currently touring with Michael Bublé.

Please see the main Events Diary page for details.

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Michael Bublé Recordings featuring Justin Ray


CD + DVDs

* dates in brackets are UK release dates

    Michael Bublé ~ Caught In The Act (2006)* 

 

     Michael Bublé ~ Come Fly With Me (2005)*

CDs

   Michael Bublé ~ With Love 



Recordings by Justin Ray

  • The Thing (2003)
  • Untitled (2006) - Justin has just finished recording a new CD which will be available soon

Other Recordings featuring Justin Ray


CDs

 The Jason Goldman Nonet ~ The Definitive Standard

  • Justin Ray plays the trumpet and flugelhorn on this recording. He also wrote the first track on the album, "Nadir Doofve".




Bill Cunliffe Sextet ~ How My Heart Sings: The Music of Earl Zindars

 

  • Justin Ray plays the flugelhorn on this recording

  • Click here to read an article by Bill Cunliffe and Bobby Shew on "Bill Cunliffe Sextet ~ How My Heart Sings: The Music of Earl Zindars".


  Keith Murray ~ He's Keith Murray

Articles featuring Justin Ray

Official Website & MySpace URL:


Justin Ray Gallery

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