Ray Vanderby Hammond Combo
Ray Vanderby was born in Sittard Holland in 1953 and is a self taught jazz musician on the Hammond organ; he can’t read music, has not done any formal jazz studies and plays by ear. He began playing in 1964 at age 12 and was the youngest semi-professional organist in Australia. Ray became a qualified piano tuner/technician and at age 20, was the in house session keyboard sideman for EMI 301 Studios Sydney. He worked with some of Australia’s top performers and in 1991 won first prize in the W.R.O.C./BMG Australia wide songwriting competition out of 2,500 entries. Ray has performed at the Cronulla, Newcastle Jazz Festivals as well as the Thredbo, Goulburn and Bluestone Blues Festivals. Over the years he has released original recordings in various genres, “Orange Not Blue” is his first jazz album, consisting entirely of Ray’s original compositions.
Ray Campbell veteran bassist cut his teeth on the early Sydney scene in the 1960’s and 70’s playing in the house band at the Latin Quarter with Stewie Speers, Jimmy Sloggett and Ricky May. He toured New Zealand in the 1972 production of "Hair" with Marcia Hines and Reg Livermore and was in the resident band for the hit New Zealand show "The Happen Inn".
Gerry Ramage started playing trombone at school in 1966, then did the Jazz Studies program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under Howie Smith, Bill Motzing, Don Burrows and Dick Montz. He joined the ABC in 1975 and has played in most ABC orchestras throughout Australia. Gerry has worked with Johnny Dankworth, Cleo Lane, Shirley Bassey, Pavarotti, the Ed Wilson, Warren Daly, Ralph Pyl Big Bands and the James Morrison’s Big Bad Band.
Chris Ronan is the youngest member of the Ray Vanderby Combo and began playing sax at age 14 in 2006. He played with the Orange High School and Orange Regional Conservatorium stage bands. Chris was a member of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Orchestra and toured China with that ensemble playing for diplomats and performing on the Great Wall of China and in Tiananmen Square.
Rob “Rocky” Rochelli is probably the Central West's most versatile drummer and percussionist. He has played with various bands over many years covering the styles of jazz, funk, latin, folk, country and rock. Rob has worked extensively in theatre both as a musician and Music Director; his influences are many and include the soul, latin, Afro Cuban genres as well as drummers Dave Mattacks and Dave Weckl.
www.myspace.com/rayvanderby
http://www.ejazznews.com Review By: Edward Blanco - July 2009
"All the way from down under, Dutch-born Hammond B3 organist Ray Vanderby scores his very first jazz album with the bluesy jazz bouncer, “Orange Not Blue” reflecting much of his previous work with some of Australia's top musicians. A self taught jazz musician who has performed all over Australia and New Zealand, Vanderby has over the years recorded original music in various genres but none in jazz until now. For this first jazzy effort, he assembled a group of local players with a varied level of experience and range forming an enticing organ quintet.
Helping Vanderby present seven uncanny originals are bassist Ray Campbell, Rob “Rocky” Rochelli on the drums, Gerry Ramage on the trombone and the talented 16 year old saxophonist Chris Ronan who acquits himself quite well here. Producing a generally straight ahead jazz sound with a bluesy twist, the album was recorded in a live setting after only two rehearsals giving it that spontaneous unedited quality.
An unselfish leader, Vanderby provides plenty of space for members of his band to showcase their chops and does not overwhelm the music with his play. Ronan plays not only the tenor but distinguishes himself on the alto on the title track, while trombonist Ramage solos on “Near Midnight,” as the bassist delivers strong bass lines throughout and Rochelli rumbles on the drums on “Where The Wind Blows.”. Vanderby's play reflects stark influences from the likes of Jimmy Smith, Joey DeFrancesco and Jimmy McGriff though he does manage to strike a unique sound of his own on this fine and jazz first effort. On the negative side, the album only includes seven brief pieces totaling a mere thirty-two minutes in playing length scantly enough time to appraise the depth of talent and skills hidden way down under and largely unknown to most jazz audiences."
Year:2009
Label: Self Published
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