Ray Reach

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Ray Reach
Birth nameRaymond Everett Reach, Jr.
Born (1948-08-03) August 3, 1948 (age 76)
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Genres Jazz, classical, pop, R & B, gospel, contemporary Christian, country
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Keyboards, guitar, vocals
Years active1964–present
Website www.rayreach.com

Raymond Everett Reach, Jr. (born August 3, 1948) is an American pianist, vocalist, guitarist, composer, arranger, music producer, and educator, who was convicted in the State of Alabama on child pornography charges. [1] Reach has performed and recorded in various genres, including pop, R&B, Motown/soul, gospel, rock, classic rock, country (contemporary and traditional), contemporary Christian, classical, and jazz music, but is perhaps best known for his work in jazz, combining jazz piano stylings with Sinatra-style vocals. [2] He resides in Birmingham, Alabama.

Contents

Career

Reach was a member of several active performing and recording groups, including the Magic City Jazz Orchestra (of which he is the founding director), the Ray Reach Orchestra, and the Night Flight Big Band.

As a composer, he has written and arranged five Broadway-style musicals for Birmingham Children's Theatre: Rumplestiltskin, The Perfect Prince, The Bravo Bus, Backstage Baby, and Tuxedo Junction. [3] [4]

On April 23, 2018, Reach was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Alabama for the possession of child pornography. [5] The connection between those charges and his Jazz Classes for Children for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is still under investigation. Ray was convicted May 15, 2025. [6] Ray was sentenced on July 9, 2025 to 10 years split with two years to serve in prison followed by three years of unsupervised probation. He was also required to register as a sex offender. [7]

Selected discography

As leader

As vocalist, pianist, arranger and co-producer

As producer

References

  1. ↑ Robinson, Carol (2025-05-15). "Popular Birmingham jazz musician and teacher convicted of possessing child porn". al. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  2. ↑ Brown, Angela: "Birmingham Beat – Uncovering the Local Music Scene", Birmingham Magazine, March, 2006, p. 121
  3. ↑ "Birmingham Children's Theatre". Bct123.org. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Rumplestiltskin". Bct123.org. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  5. ↑ Robinson, Carol (24 April 2018). "Tip led to 4-count child porn indictment against well-known Birmingham jazz musician". al.com. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  6. ↑ https://www.al.com/crime/2025/05/popular-birmingham-jazz-musician-and-teacher-convicted-of-possessing-child-porn.html
  7. ↑ https://www.al.com/crime/2025/07/well-known-alabama-jazz-musician-sentenced-in-child-porn-case.html
  8. ↑ "Glen Duncan profile at". Countrymusic.about.com. February 24, 2011. Archived from the original on August 15, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Uncle Bud". Rockgrass.com. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  10. ↑ All About Jazz (June 9, 2010). "Magic City Jazz Orchestra". Allaboutjazz.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
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