Ray is an incredible pianist and this CD shows you his unique and cutting edge jazz style in spades. Although very difficult to pigeon-hole and self-admittedly unique to any genre, his style is at once esoteric yet melodic and demands the listener to really pay attention. His writing takes you on jazz journeys that take you to places you never expected to go and make Ray an interesting listen. I like to call this “Brandy Music”, cause it goes so well with a snifter in hand. My personal favorites on this all-original CD are “Spencer’s Mambo” and “That Much.” You can catch Ray at the piano regularly in Baltimore at the Belvedere on Thursday Nights. For more information on Ray or to purchase this CD, please visit  HYPERLINK "http://www.rayjozwiak.com" www.rayjozwiak.com.
3 of 4 Martinis!!
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I’m so naive. I think I can write
a fair review for any type of music
they throw my way. Ray Jozwiak’s
“Critic’s Choice” almost cleared away
that delusion.

The first song, “Albert,” struck fear
in my heart. I like to go with my first
impressions of a song and let the artist
build upon that. So what was I hearing?
It sounded like an out-of-tune, jazz
version of “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
I couldn’t erase the mental image of Snoopy
dancing on top the piano.

No matter - I plugged on. I won’t do a review
unless I’ve listened to the entire CD. The
next two songs had me thinking this Ray
Jozwiak was the love child of Linus and
Mary Lou Retton. I could visualize the tumbling
runs as Linus pounds out the goofy dance beats
the athletes must writhe to …

It wasn’t until track four, “Money,” that I
finally got it. Ray brought in some funky bass
that changed the cold striking of the keys into
smooth, honey-fingered piano jazz. The rest of
the CD was an effortless listen. Jozwiak is
talented and needs to be heard.
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