Ray Obiedo & The Urban Latin Jazz Project
|
Sunday, August 14, 2011 | Castellano Latin Stage | 4pm
For years, composer and guitarist Ray Obiedo has combined jazz, funk and Brazilian styles into a fresh and dynamic new musical brew. Bringing together contemporary jazz and Caribbean elements, Ray fuses them with his infectious brand of west coast funk via the Urban Latin Jazz Project.
Obiedo has an eclectic musical background, but perhaps the greatest influence on his him was the James Brown revue, whose funky, percussive guitar sound was the platform on which Obiedo built his technique. He joined organist Johnny "Hammond" Smith on a US tour in 1974, then ECM Records trombonist Julian Priester on his first European outing in 1977. Ray also began a long association with the great Pete Escovedo, which continues today.
His fusion band, Kick, included a young Sheila E. on drums and Sonny Rollins associate Mark Soskin on keyboards. His other outlet during this time was the pop-rock vehicle, Rhythmus 21. He’s also been in the studio with Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Lou Rawls, Grover Washington Jr., Bill Summers, Brenda Russel and The Whispers.
As a composer, Obiedo, also attracted acclaim. His work has been interpreted by Sheila E, Tower of Power, steel pan great Andy Narell, jazz guitarist Bruce Forman and The Pete Escovedo Orchestra. Some of his work has appeared on film soundtracks, most notably Michael Caine's A Shock To The System and Richard Gere's Internal Affairs. In total, Ray has produced six albums, the most recent of which was The Modern World on Domo in 1999.
|
Guitarist Ray Obiedo has combined jazz, funk and Brazilian styles into a fresh and dynamic new musical brew.
genre: latin jazz
Ray Obiedo, guitar
|
