Ray Gallon

Jazz pianist/composer Ray Gallon has performed, recorded and toured the world with many of the leading artists of jazz, including Ron Carter, Lionel Hampton, Art Farmer, T.S. Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Wycliffe Gordon, Les Paul, Benny Golson. Frank Wess, Lew Tabakin, George Adams and the Mingus Big Band. He has performed at most of the major jazz festivals and venues throughout North and South America, Europe, and Japan and has appeared in gala concerts at the White House and the Kennedy Center. Ray has also accompanied many vocal greats, including Jon Hendricks, Chaka Khan, Sheila Jordan, Grady Tate, Nnenna Freelon, Gloria Lynne, Dakota Staton, Joe Williams, and Jane Monheit. In addition he leads his own trio and performs solo concerts. His compositions have been recorded by T.S. Monk, the Harper Brothers and George Adams. Ray has appeared on numerous recordings, including Lionel Hampton’s Grammy-nominated “Cookin’ In the Kitchen.”

Ray’s broadcast appearances include NBC’s The Tonight Show and Today as well as several nationally broadcast concert performances on BET-TV and NPR. Ray is a fulltime jazz faculty member of the City College of NY and an adjunct in the jazz program at the New School. He has led or participated in numerous workshops and master classes throughout North and South America. Ray is the co-leader/pianist/composer of a new series of internationally distributed jazz practice and study aide CDs. He holds both BFA and MA degrees in performance and composition from CCNY.