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Ray Obiedo/ Phil Hawkins & Sugarcane Sweet

Contemporary jazz composer and guitarist Obiedo has had an eclectic musical background during his youth spent in the San Francisco Bay Area. The sounds of Miles Davis, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Henry Mancini and the popular sounds of Motown Records influenced his early musical persona. Probably the greatest influence on his embryonic career, however, was the James Brown revue, whose funky, percussive guitar sounds was the platform on which Obiedo built his technique. He joined organist Johnny Hammond Smith on a U S tour in 1974, then ECM Records trombonist Julian Priester on his first European outing in 1977. A world tour in 1978-79 with jazz superstar Herbie Hancock is still one Ray's most treasured musical memories.

Ray also started his long association with the great Pete Escovedo which continues today. His own funk/fusion band, Kick, included a young Sheila Escovedo on drums and Sonny Rollins long time associate Mark Soskin on keyboards. In the mid 80s his reputation grew as one of Californias finest exponents of jazz, pop and fusion. His other outlet during this time was the pop-rock vehicle Rhythmus 21, wherein he worked with other prominent session musicians from the Bay Area. His own session experience is considerable, having partnered artists including Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Lou Rawls, Grover Washington Jr., Bill Summers, Brenda Russell,The Whispers and most currently Bob Mintzers Big Band.

Obiedo's solo compositions also attracted acclaim, and saw interpretations from Tower of Power, Sheila E, Marion Meadows, steel pan great Andy Narell, jazz guitarist Bruce Forman and The Pete Escovedo Orchestra. Parts of his work have appeared on film soundtracks, most notably Michael Caines A Shock To The System and Richard Geres Internal Affairs. Such notoriety co-existed with Obiedos rising status as a solo artist, recording a clutch of 90s albums for Windham Hill Jazz while leading The Ray Obiedo Group on club dates and concerts.

Guitarist/composer, Ray Obiedo, formed this group in 2007 to further explore his love of Latin music. His compositions for the group are drawn from many musical influences, including contemporary Jazz and Funk, Caribbean as well as other music genres.

Ray O - guitar
Jeff Cressman - trombone
Bob Karty - keyboards
Dave Belove - bass
Phil Hawkins - drums
Derek Rolando - percussion