Ray is orginally from the San Francisco area, and grew up in East Bay. While music was a persistent
influence in his early years, he "didn't begin seriously studying guitar until his last year in high
school." Ray became "focused on mastering his instrument and learning the craft of songwriting
throughout the 70's and 80's" and people began taking note. He began "performing with many of the
jazz community's most celebrated stars including legendary jazz organist Johnny "Hammond" Smith,
trombonist Julian Priester, Azteca featuring Pete & Sheila Escovedo, Fourplays' Harvey Mason. A world
tour in 1978-79 with jazz superstar Herbie Hancock is still one of Ray's most treasured musical memories."
As a bandleader, he "lead such popular local bands as the fusion ensemble Kick (featuring a very young
Sheila E. on drums and long-time Sonny Rollins pianist Mark Soskin) and the funk-rock group Rhythmus 21
which showcased many of the Bay Area's leading singers."
"As a session player, Ray's guitar work has been nicely presented on albums by artists as diverse as
Lou Rawls, George Duke, Brenda Russell, Herbie Hancock, Sheila E & the E Train, Freda Payne, The Whispers,
The Delfonics as well as solo albums by jazz trumpeter Eddie Henderson, former Yellowjackets' saxophonist
Marc Russo and Meters drummer Zigaboo Modeliste. It was also Obiedo's memorable guitar solo that so
sweetly highlighted sax star Grover Washington Jr's last hit cover of the classic single 'Soulful Strut'."
"Ray has contributed source music to major motion pictures "Internal Affairs" starring Richard Gere and
"A Shock to the System" starring Michael Caine. Ray also collaborated with singer/songwriter Teresa Trull
for the soundtrack to Nicloe Conn's "Claire of the Moon"." He has written songs for The Whispers, Tower
of Power, Andy Narell, Sheila E, Pete Escovedo Orquestra, Marion Meadows, Linda Tillery, guitarist
Bruce Forman, master funk drummer David Garibaldi and percussionist Bill Summers.
As a music producer/engineer, he has produced his own album projects and has produced and or engineered a
variety of major and independently released CD's. "Obiedo co-produced guitarist Joyce Cooling's 1997's
highly successful release "Playing it Cool" for Heads Up Records, keyboardist Tom Grant's "Tune It In"
for Windhill Jazz Records and saxophonist Marion Meadows' "Next To You". His most recent co-production
and engineering credit includeds Amikaeyla's "Being in Love" featuring bass superstar Esperanza Spalding."
Ray launched his solo recording career on the Windham Hill Jazz label, recording and releasing five
contemporary jazz albums; "Perfect Crime" (1990), "Iguana" (1991), "Sticks & Stones" (1993),
"Zulaya" (1995) and "Sweet Summer Days" (1997). "Sticks & Stones" "peaked at No. 7 on Billboard's
contemporary jazz chart and remained in the top 25 for more than 10 weeks."
In 2015, Ray released "There Goes That" with an all-star group of Jazz musicians backing him up, "including
Miles Davis alumni Kenny Garrett, percussionist Sheila E, steel pan master Andy Narell and current
Santana members percussionist Karl Perazzo and keyboardist David K Mathews."
In 2016, Ray released is eighth album, "Latin Jazz Project Vol. 1" on Rhythmus Records which "is a collection
of Latin Jazz standards, including three of Obiedo's original compositions. Obiedo enlisted some of the music
industries top musicians and longtime co-horts for the project."
Four of Ray's CD’s, “Sweet Summer Days”, “Modern World”, “There Goes That” and “Latin Jazz Project Vol 1”
were recorded at his Werewolf Recording facilities in the Oakland Hills. It’s the primary reason Ray feels more
excited than ever about his recording future.
In 2019, he released his ninth album "Carousel" nationwide on the Rhythmus Records label .
Indeed, the world of contemporary jazz guitarist Ray Obiedo is a highly energized and hypnotically rhythmic
soundscape revealing all the passion, flavor, color, and style of the Northern California region which conceived,
nourished and inspired the musical soul of this fascinating and prolific jazz artist.~ Source: derived from website
CD RELEASE:
Latin Jazz Project, Vol. 2 (2021)
Ray Obiedo
- Latin Jazz Project, Vol. 2 (2021) on Rhythmus Records, is the 10th release by the Bay Area guitarist and composer. This project
is a collection of Obiedo’s original Latin Jazz compositions, including one Jazz standard
by composer/arranger Gerald Wilson. Obiedo enlisted some of the music industry’s top
musicians and longtime cohorts for the project. Yellowjackets’ reed man Bob Mintzer,
percussionist extraordinaire Sheila E., flutist Norbert Stachel, trumpeter Mike Olmos,
percussionist Peter Michael Escovedo all make significant appearances. Santana members:
keyboardist David K. Mathews, trombonist and arranger Jeff Cressman, and percussionist
Karl Perazzo also contribute their expertise. This collection also features Tower of
Power drummer David Garibaldi, Hungarian pianist Peter Horvath, steel pan player Phil
Hawkins, vocalists Lilan Kane, Sandy Cressman & Jenny Meltzer and Dutch brothers Marc
and Paul van Wageningen on bass and drums."
Latin Jazz Project, Vol. 1 (2016)
“Ray Obiedo: "Latin Jazz Project Vol. 1" on Rhythmus Records, is the 8th release by the Bay
Area guitarist and composer. This project is a collection of Latin Jazz standards, including three
of Obiedo's original compositions. Obiedo enlisted some of the music industries top musicians and
longtime co-horts for the project. Percussionist Sheila E., Yellowjackets reed man Bob Mintzer,
flutists Elena Pinderhughes and Roger Glenn, trumpeter Ray Vega, timbale master Orestes Vilató,
percussionist Peter Michael Escovedo and vocalist Sandy Cressman all make significant appearances.
Santana members David K. Mathews, Karl Perazzo and Jeff Cressman also contribute their expertise.” REVIEWS:
Carousel (Aug 2019)
"Ray invited 32 musicians to work with him on “Carousel”, with many coming from his hometown area of
Northern California where they work with local stalwarts such as Tower of Power and Santana. Some of
the better known guests include Bob Mintzer, Toots Thieleman, Peter Garibaldi and Andy Narell. As
mentioned earlier, every track carries a distinctive rhythm and flavor as Ray attempts to cover all the bases.
Two of the more energetic songs come early on with the RnB of “Jinx” and the Latin drive of “Sharp Aztec”.
Bob Mintzer’s funky sax solo on “Modern World” is also a winner. Possibly the top track though is a mystical
cover of Mancini’s, “Lujon”. First of all, it is a Mancini composition, and secondly, the ambient drift and
arrangement on this track has a more modern sound. A couple other songs seem geared towards the
radio in a smooth jazz context. Throughout “Carousel”, Obiedo plays soulful licks and solos that recall
George Benson and Wes Montgomery, two other guitarists who were adept at combining hard bop grit with pop sheen. "
A Latin Jazz Album Full Of Traditional Smarts And Crossover Appeal - There Goes That (2015)
“Obiedo mixes smart studio production and arrangement with a rich knowledge of both jazz and
Latin traditions on There Goes That, creating a product that is both accessible and inspiring. Yes,
there's an element of smooth jazz here, but not in an overtly commercial way. The tradition seems
embellished by the use of synthesizers and electric instruments, as opposed to overwhelmed by them.
There's no doubt that Obiedo knows the jazz tradition well – there's hints of Wes Montgomery, shadows
of Miles Davis, and references to Herbie Hancock at various points on the album. Obiedo's knowledge
of Cuban and Brazilian rhythms allow him to showcase them traditionally, but also find the points
where they connect to funk and pop. His years of performance experience shine through his large
cast of musicians, which range from Santana band members Karl Perrazo, Bill Ortiz, and Jeff Cressman
to Bay Area Latin music icons Michael Spiro and Roger Glenn, as well as Miles Davis alumni
Kenny Garrrett. Obiedo weaves all these elements together into a musical statement that certainly
could be considered smooth jazz, but it's not confined by that label – There Goes That is a smartly
produced Latin Jazz album full of traditional smarts and crossover appeal that beautifully highlights
Obiedo's performance and production skills.” Ray Obiedo: Zulaya (1995)
"Out of all the expressive instruments, the guitar's range and
mobility seems to make it the one most suited for a performer with a big
ego. But
Ray Obiedo's success as a worldbeat pop-fusion guitarist may be due to
the way he shuns that idea. He's never been one to dominate his own
compositions, and this allows for the fascinating textures and exotic
timbres his vision reaches. " VIDEOS:
Ray Obiedo - Villa CapriRay Obiedo - Macondo
Ray Obiedo - One Wish
Ray Obiedo - La Samba
Ray Obiedo - Real Life
Ray Obiedo - Sweet Summer Days (feat. Peabo Bryson) (HD)
