Carline Ray

Carline Ray (April 21, 1925 – July 18, 2013) was a jazz instrumentalist and vocalist. She was a member of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.

Carline Ray
Born	(1925-04-21)April 21, 1925 Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Died	July 18, 2013(2013-07-18) (aged 88) Manhattan
Genres	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer
Instrument(s)	Piano, guitar

Early life and education

Carline Ray was born in Manhattan on April 21, 1925. Her father was Elisha Ray, a horn player.^[1]

She entered Juilliard at age 16, graduating in 1946 after studying piano and composition. She earned a master's degree in voice from the Manhattan School of Music in 1956.^[2]

Career

After graduation from Juilliard, Ray joined the International Sweethearts of Rhythm as a rhythm guitar player and vocalist.^[3] After the Sweethearts disbanded, Ray played guitar and sang for Erskine Hawkins and later performed in a trio with fellow former Sweetheart Pauline Braddy.^[1] She sang back up for Patti Page and Bobby Darrin, and she performed in choruses conducted by Leonard Bernstein.^[3] She recorded with Mary Lou Williams and also worked with Skitch Henderson, Marian McPartland, and Sy Oliver.^[4] In 1997, Ray formed the group Jazzberry Jam with pianist Bertha Hope and percussionist Paula Hampton.

She appears in the 2011 documentary film The Girls in the Band.^[5] She released Vocal Sides, her first album as a lead singer, the year of her death. The album was produced by her daughter Catherine.^[5]

Personal life

Ray married Luis Russell in 1956. Their daughter Catherine Russell is a jazz singer.^[5]

Death

Ray died on July 18, 2013, in Manhattan, following complications from a stroke.^[3][6] A Catholic,^[7] she was buried in November 2013 after a funeral service at St Peter's Catholic Church in Manhattan.^[2][8]

Awards

• Co-recipient of the first International Women In Jazz Lifetime Achievement Award, "A Living Legend" (1996)^[9]
• Kennedy Center's Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival Award (2005)^[5]
• International Women In Jazz Award (2008)^[9]