Pianist Ray Gallon, a native New Yorker, has been a mainstay of the jazz scene for over three decades. Rooted in bebop and blues, his expressive, swinging playing, as well as his distinctive compositions, meld old and new into a fresh, original style. Mentored by legendary jazz pianists John Lewis, Jaki Byard, and Hank Jones, Ray has toured the world and/or recorded with a long list of jazz luminaries, including Ron Carter, ‪Lionel Hampton, ‪Art Farmer, George Adams, ‪Les Paul, Benny Golson, and ‪Wycliffe Gordon, and has appeared at gala events at the White House and the Kennedy Center with jazz legends ‪Dizzy Gillespie, ‪Milt Jackson, Sweets Edison, and Joe Williams. Ray has also accompanied many vocal greats, including Jon Hendricks, Sheila Jordan,‪ Grady Tate, and ‪Chaka Khan. Ray’s highly acclaimed trio albums for Cellar Music each feature stellar rhythm sections, “Grand Company” with Maestro Ron Carter and Lewis Nash, and “Make Your Move” with David Wong and Kenny Washington, and have been lauded by such jazz luminaries as Ahmad Jamal and Bill Charlap. Involved in education, Ray is currently a Lecturer of Jazz Studies at The City College of New York and has led workshops and master classes throughout North America and Europe.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬