Ray Kamalay
Encyclopedia
Ray Kamalay is an American
jazz
guitarist
and singer from Detroit, Michigan
who has recorded several jazz records with his group, the Red Hot Peppers. Kamalay is noted for his work with many folk music
groups and notable jazz artists such as the Chenille Sisters
, Johnny Frigo
, and Howard Armstrong. Kamalay is also well-known for his work in music education
, giving lectures and demonstrations on folk music topics.
player Walter White, who formerly played with the Harry Connick, Jr.
orchestra. His collaboration with Armstrong earned Kamalay a W.C. Handy Award nomination in 1998.
In 2008, Kamalay began a music education program named "Freedom, Slavery and the Roots of American Music" in which he uses the guitar to demonstrate sounds from a variety of musical movements. He connects those movements with major periods and events in American history, such as the time of slavery. He has performed the program in celebration of Black History Month
throughout Michigan.
Ray Kamalay and his Red Hot Peppers
The Howard Armstrong Trio
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and singer from Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
who has recorded several jazz records with his group, the Red Hot Peppers. Kamalay is noted for his work with many folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
groups and notable jazz artists such as the Chenille Sisters
Chenille Sisters
The Chenille Sisters, an American contemporary folk band, includes singer Grace Morand, guitarist and songwriter Connie Huber, and singer/songwriter Cheryl Dawdy...
, Johnny Frigo
Johnny Frigo
Johnny Frigo was an American jazz violinist and bassist.His son, Derek John Frigo, was the lead guitarist for the rock band Enuff Z'nuff. Derek Frigo died of a drug overdose on May 28, 2004....
, and Howard Armstrong. Kamalay is also well-known for his work in music education
Music education
Music education is a field of study associated with the teaching and learning of music. It touches on all domains of learning, including the psychomotor domain , the cognitive domain , and, in particular and significant ways,the affective domain, including music appreciation and sensitivity...
, giving lectures and demonstrations on folk music topics.
Career
After completing a degree in philosophy from the University of Detroit, Kamalay began his career as a professional musician in 1974, concentrating on historic American music such as folk and jazz. In 1983, he formed his regular band, the Red Hot Peppers. The Red Hot Peppers has included several notable jazz musicians over the years, including the Chenille Sisters, Johnny Frigo, and Howard Armstrong, and trumpetTrumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
player Walter White, who formerly played with the Harry Connick, Jr.
Harry Connick, Jr.
Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. is an American singer, big-band leader/conductor, pianist, actor, and composer. He has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America, with...
orchestra. His collaboration with Armstrong earned Kamalay a W.C. Handy Award nomination in 1998.
In 2008, Kamalay began a music education program named "Freedom, Slavery and the Roots of American Music" in which he uses the guitar to demonstrate sounds from a variety of musical movements. He connects those movements with major periods and events in American history, such as the time of slavery. He has performed the program in celebration of Black History Month
Black History Month
Black History Month is an observance of the history of the African diaspora in a number of countries outside of Africa. Since 1976, it is observed annually in the United States and Canada in February, while in the United Kingdom it is observed in October...
throughout Michigan.
Discography
Ray Kamalay- 1993 – Vignettes
Ray Kamalay and his Red Hot Peppers
- 1988 – I Saw Stars
- 1997 – The Joint is Jumpin
- 1997 – Love's Hope
- 2000 – Meet Me Where They Play the Blues
The Howard Armstrong Trio
- 1995 – Louie Bluie