Ray Blue’s music can be described as a message that makes listeners feel good. A New York-bred saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator who performs internationally, he is a mainstay on the New York Jazz Scene, having shared the stage and studio as a leader, sideman, and band member with Kirk Lightsey, Kenny Barron, Harold Mabern, Essiet Okon Essiet, Benito Gonzales, Nat Adderley, Jr., John Gilmore, Dr. Art Davis, Benny Powell, Eddie Henderson, Charli Persip Super Band, Wycliffe Gordon, Bernard Purdie, Steve Turre, Alicia Keys, and the Sun Ra Arkestra. He has performed as a leader and featured artists at festivals in Cape Town, Zanzibar, Hartford, Dublin, Macao, Beijing, and elsewhere.

Ray received a graduate degree from the University of Iowa and studied at the Jazz Mobile in New York City with Charles Davis, Stanton Davis, and later with Paul Jeffrey, Sonny Sharrock, George Coleman, and Barry Harris. More of his mentors include Arthur Blythe, Houston Person, Ornette Coleman, and Benny Powell. His alma mater, Wm. Penn University has presented the annual “Ray Blue Jazz Award” to a graduating senior since 2004. He has released 6 albums as a leader and is the founder of Cross-Cultural Connection, Inc. a 501 © 3 non-profit organization that promotes jazz culture, performance, and education.

“Ray Blue has a majestic presence...when playing, his sense of purpose is obvious...It’s one thing to be a good composer, it’s another to be a great performer. Ray Blue’s got the whole package.” (Jean Szlamowicz, Jazz Hot, Down Beat)

Time: 6:00 — 7:30 pm EDT

Free!

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