Hi, my name is Ray. A veteran of the Edmonton music scene for the last 40 years, I come from a time when live music was king and most hotels and clubs had live entertainment six nights a week. Some hotels even had three venues! I started my music career at the age of 12 as a drummer and guitar player. I have a diploma from the United Conservatory of music where my principal instrument was guitar but, for me, it has always come down to the drums. It became clear that I was destined to be a drummer when, only two months after I got my first drum, I got my first paying gig. I was 12 years old and made 5 dollars — I was rollin’ in cash! After that I played in rock bands, country bands, polka bands, jazz bands and big band dance bands.
In those early days, I did a gig with Edmonton Jazz legend Big Miller. We were in the middle of a swing tune and Big turned to me and said, “Play that sock man, play that sock!” I was a 15 year old kid and thinking, “What the heck is a sock?” Luckily, he grabbed and shook my hi hat at the same time. I had not heard that term for a hi hat ’till then!
I turned officially pro when I was 17 years old, and played live club dates and studio sessions throughout Western Canada for almost 20 years.
I have always been drawn to teaching. Being a student of music, and drums in particular, I love to pass on what I have learned after so many years.
My teaching opportunities have varied a lot over the years. In the mid-90s I bought a ProTools digital recording system and started doing my own recording and post production. It was one of the first privately owned systems in Edmonton and I was hired by the The Film and Video Arts Society of Alberta as a recording engineer and sessional instructor. Later, I was hired by the Alberta Government as a recording engineer to set up their new ‘digital’ recording studio and teach everyone how to use the gear.
I have taught Drums and Guitar privately for the last 20 years or so. It’s still a kick to watch someone, young or old, have a cool musical experience while you’re teaching them!
I look forward to meeting you!
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