Ray Crawford

Ray Holland Crawford, was an American jazz guitarist, born in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), on the 7 of February of 1924. He died on 30th December,1997 in his hometown.

His professional career began with the tenor saxophone and clarinet in the big band of Fletcher Henderson (1941 - 1943), but he had to give up these instruments for health reasons. He adopted the guitar and in the 1950s he was part of Ahmad Jamal's trio (1951 - 1956), which gave him great notoriety. He played with many groups in New York and was called by Gil Evans to collaborate on a couple of albums. Then, in the late 50's, formed a stable association with the organist Jimmy Smith, which remained well into the 80s.

Settled in California very early, he played an active role in the local West Coast jazz scene, recording with Curtis Amy and others. His style is distinguished from other guitarists by his lyrical and colorful playing, and, above all, by having inherited from his time as a saxophonist a phrasing typically based on breathing.