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Ray Reach
American musician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (March 2015) |
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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]
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Selected discography
As leader
- Especially for You (1994) - with Robert Dickson on bass[citation needed], Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Sonny Harris on drums, and Gary Neil McLean on saxophone and flute.
- Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas (2005) - with Sonny Harris on drums, Chris Wendle on bass and Gary Wheat on saxophone.
As vocalist, pianist, arranger and co-producer
As producer
- Uncle Bud's Lectro Wood Experience[8][9]
- Lou Marini and the Magic City Jazz Orchestra. Lou's Blues (2001)[10]
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References
External links
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