Justin Ray

Justin Ray is one of three outstanding trumpet players in the Bublé band and his been touring with Michael right from the start. On tour, Justin has played some stunning solos in "My Funny Valentine" and in Jason Goldman's arrangement of "Smile".

My fondest memory of seeing Justin perform was during Michael's Valentine's weekend run of concerts at the Las Vegas Hilton, February, 2006. Throughout Justin's astounding high-energy solo during "Smile" one night, I noticed a lady in the audience had risen to her feet to applaud his performance ~ the lady turned out to be Justin's Mum and she looked so proud of her immensely talented son up on stage it was a truly remarkable reaction to an overwhelming performance. As much as Justin plays his heart out every night you couldn't help but feel that he had found a little something extra that evening, just to give to his Mum!

During Michael's most recent tour promoting the album, "Call Me Irresponsible", Justin and Bryan Lipps have alternated on the trumpet solo in "Song For You". Together with Jumaane Smith towards the end of the show, Justin has demonstrated he has a somewhat playful side, providing Michael with a falsetto accompaniment during "That's Alright Mama" or "Don't Be Cruel". How Justin manages to keep his cool and maintain his composure whilst the rest of us are trying desparately hard not to giggle during this part of the show is a testament to his absolute professionalism on stage.

Born July 1, 1975, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Justin graduated from Del Norte High School and received a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts where he graduated with a Degree in Music Education and performed with a number of different ensembles. He completed his Masters Degree at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he fast became one of the most in-demand jazz trumpeters in the region, performing with artists including Bill Cunliffe, Alan Pasqua, Joe LaBarbara and Kurt Elling.

Together with fellow Bublé band member, Rob Wilkerson, Justin and Rob were briefly mentors on the Young Razzcals Jazz Project. This project gave youngsters the opportunity to learn improvisation techniques and musical phrasing from prominent jazz musicians who had volunteered their time and expertise.

Justin composed the first track on the The Jason Goldman Nonet recording, "The Definitive Standard", entitled "Nadir Doofve". In addition to the trumpet Justin also plays the flugelhorn on that recording.

In 2003, Justin recorded his first album, "The Thing". His first album for commercial release, however, came in 2006, when Justin lauched his self-titled album, "Justin Ray" in his hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico, on July 17, 2006. The album features ex-Bublé band member, Randy Napoleon on guitar, New York drummer Quincy Davis and the sought after New Jersey-based Hammond B3 organist, Jared Gold.

Justin has recently played some shows with Asheville, North Carolina artist, Jar-e, together with fellow Bublé band member, Jacob Rodriguez.

Michael Bublé Recordings featuring Justin Ray

CD + DVDs

* dates in brackets are UK release dates

Michael Bublé ~ Caught In The Act (2006)*

"Caught In The Act" is available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.

Michael Bublé ~ Come Fly With Me (2004)*

"Come Fly With Me" is available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.

CDs

Michael Bublé ~ Let It Snow! (EP) (2007)

"Let It Snow!" is available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.

With Love, Michael Bublé (2006) (Hallmark)

"With Love, Michael Bublé" is available from Amazon.com.

Recordings by Justin Ray

The Thing (2003) - unreleased recording

Justin Ray (2006)

Justin Ray's self-titled CD is available from CD Baby.

Other Artists' Recordings featuring Justin Ray

CDs

Jon Irabagon's Outright! (2008)

Black Tie ~ Goodbye, Farewell (2007)

Bill Cunliffe Sextet ~ How My Heart Sings: The Music of Earl Zindars (2003)

Justin Ray plays the flugelhorn on this recording.
Click here to read an article by Bill Cunliffe and Bobby Shew on "Bill Cunliffe Sextet ~ How My Heart Sings: The Music of Earl Zindars".

Keith Murray ~ He's Keith Murray (2003)

The Jason Goldman Nonet ~ The Definitive Standard (2002)

Justin Ray plays the trumpet and flugelhorn on this recording. He also wrote the first track on the album, "Nadir Doofve".

Articles featuring Justin Ray

Black Tie | Goodbye, Farewell (December 3, 2007 ~ Playback : stl)
A Trumpeter Grows in Brooklyn (May 31, 2007 ~ Alibi)
Local musician's release party a hit (July 20, 2006)
Michael Bublé in sensational Vegas debut (February 19, 2006 ~ Broadway to Vegas)
Michael Bublé trumped by trumpet player tumble (April 18, 2004 ~ Undercover Media Australia)
The Definitive Standard - The Jason Goldman Nonet (January 8, 2003 ~ All That Jazz)
Young Razzcals Jazz Project Mentors

Offical Website & MySpace URL:

Exclusive Interview for www.bubléband.com

Justin Ray kindly agreed to answer some interview questions via email in July, 2006 - thank you, Justin!

Via email - July, 2006

What is your date and place of birth?
Buffalo NY July 1st, 1975.

Where did you grow up?
Albuquerque, New Mexico [USA].

Where do you currently reside?
Albuquerque, NM.

At what age did you start learning the trumpet?
I first picked up a trumpet when I was 10, played trombone and baritone in middle school, and switched back to trumpet when I was 15.

What inspired you to become a professional musician? Was there a defining moment which made you choose to become a professional trumpet player?
I had a teacher named Kent Erickson who turned me on to jazz trumpet. He was the first reason I thought about doing music professionally.

What is your academic training and professional background?
I have a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Berklee College of Music, and A Master's in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern California.

So who has been your greatest influence or inspiration?
Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Brown, Roy Hargrove, and the whole lineage of the trumpet in jazz. Also Sugar Ray Robinson, Roy Jones Jr., Terry Norris (boxers), Ernest Hemingway, and Morton's Steakhouse.

Apart from the trumpet do you play any other instruments?
Just well enough to annoy people.

If you could play with any band or artist who would that be? Or have you already done that in your career?
Too many to name. Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Jill Scott, D'Angelo.

If you could play any venue in the world where would that be and why?
Maybe the Village Vanguard in NY, or any of the other NYC jazz clubs that have a rich tradition.

What is your favourite place you have visited on tour and is there anywhere you would like to visit where the tour hasn't reached yet?
Favorite places: Sydney and maybe Copenhagen (although I just had a pretty great day in Boise[, Idaho]). I'd like to go to Brazil at some point.

When did you join Michael's band and how did that come about did you have to go through an audition process?
Alan Chang and Jason Goldman recommended me. I didn't audition.

Did you know any of the other guys in the band before you joined?
I knew everybody in the first edition of the band, and at least knew of everybody before they joined.

Do the guys in the band have any nicknames for you?
"J Ray" is the popular one, but it's become a little overused.

Have you written any of the arrangements for the concert setlist?
I arranged "Try a Little Tenderness" and adapted "How Sweet It Is".

What is your favourite part during one of Michael's concerts?
The Nick V Bublé impression.

For you on trumpet, which is technically the most difficult song of Michael's to play?
"Smile".

What is a typical day in the life of Justin Ray like:

a) on tour with Michael; and
Lots of downtime. I try to practice and keep in touch with friends.

b) when you're not touring with Michael?
I try to see my friends and family in anticipation of leaving again soon.

Fans travel from all over the world to see Michael, you and the rest of the guys perform live. By the same token, is there an act or artist you would travel the world over to see?
No.

Do you carry your trumpet with you on tour or is it packed off to the next venue by the road crew?
My horn is with me at all times.

Has anything ever happened to your trumpet in transit?
Yes. I tried to fix it ...

Can you tell me some technical details about the trumpet you use on tour, and how that may differ to the trumpet you play on a day-to-day basis?
The trumpet I use on tour is the same one I use when I'm not. Specifically, it's a Bach 37, which is like the Honda Accord of trumpets.

During the concerts do you play from sheet music or memory?
Memory.

Which parts of the show do you play strictly according to written arrangements and which parts are improvised or ad libbed?
With the exception of my solo on "Smile", everything is written.

What is your favourite song that Michael sings during the shows?
"You and I".

What has been your most moving or memorable experience touring with Michael?
Fabienne.

One poignant moment for me was seeing you play during one of the Las Vegas concerts in 2006. Your Mum was in the audience and had gotten up to applaud you all the way through your solo during "Smile". She was so proud of you. How did that make you feel, especially when Michael let the audience know that your Mum was in the crowd?
I like to keep my stage life separate from my private life, so it was frankly a little uncomfortable to have everyone know that my family was there. My mother is the coolest lady on the planet, and it was great to see her stand and cheer for me.

At the Melbourne Concert Hall in April, 2004, I understand something happened which meant that you passed out during the concert. What happened exactly and were you able to continue with the show that evening?
I locked my knees and breathed too hard, and ... I got up and was able to continue.

If you werent a musician what do you think you would most likely be doing as a career? And what would your ideal job be or is what youre doing at the moment your ideal job?
I don't know.

Are there plans or have you already co-written songs for Michael's next album?
No.

Other than English, do you speak any other languages?
No

Along with the other members of the Bublé band you have recently played together as "The Boathouse All-Stars". Whose idea or decision was it to create "The Boathouse All-Stars", how did the name come about and are there any Boathouse All-Stars gigs lined up in the future?
"The Boathouse All-Stars" formed when Frank Basile put together some music for us to play and booked a gig in Omaha. We've done it a few times since then.

In the biography section of your website you mention recording your debut album, "The Thing" in 2003. Did the album contain all your own original compositions and is it available to buy at all?
It was mostly original compositions, but was unfortunately never released due to technical problems.

You had your official CD release party for your self-titled album, "Justin Ray" on 17th July, 2006 at Scalo, in your home town of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Was the release party by invitation only or were fans also encouraged to come along to the event?
It was open to the public, and was attended by people from all over the US.

How did the CD release party go and how did you feel knowing you had such terrific support from your family and friends?
It couldn't have gone better. It was great to have so many friends and family together in one place.

Can you talk us through each of the tracks on your new CD and what the inspiration was behind each of the compositions?
I'll send you the liner notes when they're done.

I understand you only had a limited run of CDs available for sale at the release party? When will your CD be available to the masses and how can fans go about ordering it?
It should be ready by August 4th, [2006] and should be available at www.cdbaby.com soon after.

Will it be possible for fans to buy autographed copies of the new CD?
I can probably work that out ...

On the Bill Cunliffe CD, "How My Heart Sings: The Music of Earl Zindars", youre listed as playing the flugelhorn and the trumpet:

a) For those of us who have never the flugelhorn before, what are the main differences in sound between the two instruments?
The flugel has a darker sound.

b) Apart from on this recording do you play the flugelhorn on any other recordings or in a professional capacity?
I play it on my CD (on "Braidy" and "Goodnight Mom").

You have composed some unusually named pieces for example, "M3", "Braidy" and "Nadir Doofve", which is the opening track on The Jason Goldman Nonet's, "The Definitive Standard" - how have these pieces been so named?
Usually just nonsense. "Nadir Doofve" were some slang words I used at the time; "M3" just stands for minor 3rd; and "Braidy"... well that's in the liners.

What do you consider your proudest achievement to date?
Hard to say.

What sort of music do you enjoy listening to yourself?
Country (Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson).

Outside of music, what are your hobbies and interests?
I like boxing and scotch.

On your MySpace profile, you use the name JKRay. What does the initial K stand for?
Kennedy.

Do you have any brothers and sisters and are any of them musicians?
I have and older sister and two younger brothers. None of them are musicians.

Could you tell the fans a bit about your family background / ancestry?
I'm an equal mix of Scotch and German.

You're moving to New York next month (August, 2006) to help further your career as a jazz musician and soloist. Bubléband.com wishes you the best of luck with that! Does this signal your departure from the Bublé band or will you still be performing and touring with Michael in the future?
I antcipate staying with Michael as long as I'm welcome.

I'm sure there are numerous other fans out there who, like me, although initially fans of Michael and his music are now just as much fans of yourself and the rest of the band? What is your reaction to that and is it something that you still find surprising?
I'm here in support of Michael, and while I'm tremendously appreciative of the fan support, I prefer to deflect as much attention to Bublé as possible.

And finally, do you have a message for your fans?
Check my website www.justinraymusic.com for details about my CD, and thanks!