Born in Lexington, Kentucky Bubba took up music at the age of 7. Like most kids those days, he started out on the Fluta-phone, and then to an old metal clarinet that his dad managed to buy for him. Near the end of his seventh grade year he had a chance to try an Alto Sax and immediately got the bug.
By the beginning of his eight-grade year his Dad, again, managed to get him another instrument. It was an old CONN Alto Sax with the adjustable neck tuning. Bubba Remarked, “That horn was like a candy bar to me”.
Bubba developed his ear as he was learning to read music. Borrowing his sister’s record player, he’d go to the basement and spend hours learning the Sax solo on a 45 record entitled, \"Soul Serenade\". Next, he learned \"Movin\' On\", by King Curtis. By the time he finished that solo he had started blowing along with the blues station and whatever else came across the AM radio.
Playing music since 1960, Bubba’s profession in music did not begin until 1985. Performing at a Christmas Faire with a Sax Quartet Bubba was approached by the drummer of a local band performing for the same event. He invited Bubba to sit in with them. The many years of Jam Sessions paid.
However, Bubba soon learned that bands can be very frustrating. “I love the energy and spontaneity of a band”, he said, “but for me to make a living at it I need more than gas and drink money for the weekend”. Pulling together his past experiences and professions he devised a plan to go solo. A previous band had a guitarist/lead vocalist who, because the band would not cater to his self-indulgent pipe dream, quit and cancelled months of bookings. With no experience at singing Bubba took over the lead vocals, hired a better guitarist and managed to salvage several of the gigs. With the addition of the vocals Bubba started his solo career playing for tips at a Chinese restaurant where his wife worked.
Performing as a Saxophonist and Vocalist, Bubba utilizes his Soprano, Alto, and Tenor Saxophones as well as a Yamaha WX7 Wind Controller. His accompaniment may be recorded, but that is quickly forgotten as he performs for numerous private and public events. His work/playground, if you will, is the lovely Central California Coast. In that vast beauty you may find him at a local restaurant, country club, or winery, not to mention various Chamber Mixers, Festivals, and Receptions.
His motto is, “The Perfect Music for Your Perfect Occasion”, and that is what you get from a Bubba Ramey performance. When asked about it he replied, “I am not the center of the event and my ego is not bruised by people not paying attention to me. I provide an ambience for your event, indoor and out, and am not obtrusive. My objective for the event is to evaluate the people attending and provide an atmosphere to not only please them, but also make my customer look good for hiring me. I feel I have done my best when as people are leaving, they suddenly see me and comment, \"We thought that was a CD playing in the background. We didn’t realize you had a musician performing\".
Wife and manager Jacki is Bubba’s business side. She sees his worth and charges appropriately for it. For Bookings and more information call Jacki at 805-481-4946. Jacki also runs interference on gigs to aid those attending an event who often want to stand and talk as Bubba performs. She answers all their questions and if they really need to talk with Bubba she will inform them when he will be taking a break or schedule an appointment for another time.
Bubba’s performance genre\'s range in Contemporary & Traditional Gospel, Contemporary Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Soft Rock & Pop. Having no special training he describes himself as a, \"By the seat of your pants performer\", or a, \"Jack of all trades, master of none musician with a musical personality somewhere between Denzel Washington and Montel Williams”.
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