Ray grew up listening to Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Wynton Marsalis. He started playing piano at 7, cornet at 8 and then trumpet at 16, later studying music at Kingston University. He studied trumpet with Ray Allen (R.A.M) and Colin Clague (principal trumpet English National Opera) and later took up jazz piano and jazz trumpet. A NYJO graduate, Ray has performed with many of the top names, including King Pleasure, BB King, Jean Toussiant and Liam Noble. He has also recorded with Scott Matthews, Robert Plant, Mica Paris, Andy Abrahams, and Frank McComb. He has played for Lady Diana, toured internationally and recently his own band appeared on Episode 2 of Channel 4's new cult comedy, 'The Morgana Show' and on the BBC show “Landgirls”. Ray has several residencies, has a packed live schedule and recently played a brilliant set at the 2013 Marlborough Jazz Festival for the fifth year running. His band featured Simon Spillett on sax, Miles Levin on drums and Edgar Macias on piano. “War on the Saints” is Ray’s debut album and was recorded in the states and in the UK with a variety of musicians including renown drummer John Becker and Ray’s own Quintet featuring: Tim Amann on piano, Mike Green on bass, Miles Levin on drums and a variety of Saxophonists (such as Simon Spillet). From the chaotic and progressive “Jungle Hip” (recorded when Ray was playing a benefit concert for “Hurricane Katrina” in the U.S.) to the laid back “Waltz” and the exciting and energetic “Brother Sam” Ray let’s his trumpet do the talking.... Ray Butcher - The ‘Smooth Jazz King’ of our generation.