BORN IN: Jackson, MS

LIVES IN: San Diego, CA

DRUMMING SINCE: 1970

BIGGEST INFLUENCES: Jeff Sipe, Billy Cobham, Steve Smith, Vinnie Colaiuta

FAVORITE ALBUM PLAYED ON: Paul Gilbert “Behold: Electric Guitar”

FAVORITE ALBUM DIDN’T PLAY ON: “Live”, The Jazz Pistols

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Performing with Ike Turner at the Montreux Jazz Fest, playing on his Grammy
award winning album “Risin’ With The Blues” and being featured on Smithsonian Channel “Sound
Revolution”.

FAVORITE CYMBAL: 22″ Artisan Medium Ride

Bill Ray is a renowned American drummer, known for his versatility, technical prowess, and ability to groove in any genre. Born in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1968, Ray’s passion for drumming ignited at a young age. He discovered his father’s drums at just 15 months old and was mesmerized by rhythm. By the time he was a teenager, he was already performing with bands around the South.

In 1989, Ray set his sights on California and pursued his music career there. He quickly established himself as a sought-after session and live drummer, collaborating with various local groups. His big break came in 2001 when he joined the legendary Ike Turner’s band. For the next six and a half years, Ray toured extensively with Turner, who dubbed him the “drummer of my soul.” Ray’s contributions to Turner’s music were significant, including playing on the Grammy Award-winning album, “Risin’ with the Blues” (2006).

In 2019 Ray embarked upon a world tour with guitar virtuoso Paul Gilbert, having played on his 2018 release “Behold Electric Guitar” and later on “The Dio Album”.

Recent releases include an album with guitar phenom Mike Keneally and artist Marcelo Radulovich titled “Bask”, and a nod to the Liverpool region of the UK with Ed Croft’s Saxophone-fueled tribute to “Mersey Beat” songs entitled “Have Mersey”.

Catch BR on one of his YouTube Livestreams almost daily- https://youtube.com/billraydrums

Beyond performing, Ray is also a skilled educator and author. He regularly shares his drumming knowledge through magazine articles, online tutorials, and his own book, “Time, Space & Rhythm”, as well as teaching at the world-renowned Seattle Drum School.