CARLINE RAY
Bassist Carline Ray is a New Yorker. She began as a pianist and singer for groups. She played guitar and sang with The International Sweethearts, an all-female jazz band. She sang with Erskine Hawkins. She is soloist and concert chorister of Schola Cantorium, Camarata Singers, Bach Aria Group and American Opera Society and in studio with Patti Page, The McGuire Sisters, Della Reese, Sylvia Syms, Bobby Darrin and Quincy Jones. Ray received the Fender Precision jazz electric bass from band leader Luis Russell, her husband.
Carline performed with Skitch Henderson, Sy Oliver, Peter Duchin and Mercer Ellington’s big band; in trio with Mary Lou Williams, Seldon Powell, Marian McPartland, Tiny Grimes, Benny Powell, Budd Johnson, Melba Liston and Carrie Smith; and in the pit orchestra and choral groups with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Schools: Julliard and The Manhattan School of Music. Taught at Medgar Evers College, Hunter College, William Patterson College and The New School of Social Research.
Her daughter, Catherine Russell is a New Yorker. Her father, Luis Russell, was a native of Panama , a pioneering pianist, composer, bandleader and Louis Armstrong's musical director. With Carline Ray, her mother, Catherine shares an uncommon legacy of music. Catherine started at 5, as a professional dancer with Katherine Dunham. At 9, she released her first album of children’s educational records. American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She toured Europe with Carrie Smith’s gospel group with Carline Ray on bass. A one of a kind singer and musician, she’s toured with Steely Dan, David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Paul Simon, Jackson Browne, Michael Feinstein, Carrie Smith, and Rosanne Cash.