Brian Wray
{{Infobox musical artist
| background = person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Brian Wray
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| birth_name = Brian Francis Wray
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| origin = Canada
| death_date = 2019
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| genre = Rock, jazz rock, jazz
| occupation = Musician
| instrument = Piano, organ, flute
| years_active = 1960s to 2010s
| label =
| current_member_of = Brian Wray Jazz Trio
| past_member_of = Five of a Kind
Natural Gas
Motherlode
Truck
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Brian Wray was a veteran Canadian musician and musical arranger. He had been a member of three major Canadian bands, Natural Gas in the late 1960s, Motherlode and Truck in the early 1970s. He also worked with Lisa Hartt, Freedom North, Moe Koffman, David Johannesson and other artists. In later years he moved more towards the jazz genre.
Background
Born Brian Francis Wray, coming from Montreal, he was an organ & piano player. He was once a member of the group Five of a Kind which also had a pre-Mashmakhan Brian Edwards in their line up.Music Metason - [https://music.metason.net/artistinfo?name=Brian%20Wray ArtistInfo, Brian Wray]The Gazette, Saturday, January 17, 1970 - [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/419314093/ Page 15 Pop Music, Natural Gas a natural treat] While he was a member of Natural Gas, he arranged the track "Eleanor Rigby", and arranged the band's hit "All Powerful Man".Johnkatsmc5 - [https://johnkatsmc5.tumblr.com/post/185613211364/natural-gas-natural-gas-1970-canada-jazz Natural Gas "Natural Gas" 1970 Canada Jazz Rock] He had played piano and handled the horn arrangements on Freedom North's self-titled album that was released in 1970.CATALINA ARTS and MEDIA [https://www.catalinaartsandmedia.com/summerlea-music Summerlea Music, Bands] He also played keyboards in Canadian singer, Lisa Hartt's first band.Record World Magazine International, November 11, 2022 - [https://www.recordworldinternational.com/2022/11/11/lisa-hartt-arrival/ COVER STORIES, Lisa Hartt Arrival Submitted by Don Graham]
Like former Truck members, Larry Ernewein and Sandy MacKay (When the band was called Sound Spectrum),Wortley Village jazz&blues FESTIVAL - [https://wortleyjazzbluesfest.weebly.com/sandy-mackay-jazz-quartet-with-denise-pelley.html Sandy MacKay Jazz Quartet with Denise Pelley]The London Free Press, Jun 14, 2022 - [https://lfpress.com/entertainment/local-arts/aeolian-jazz-bash-heralds-london-festival-seasons-long-awaited-return Local Arts, Aeolian jazz bash heralds London festival season's long-awaited return - Joe Belanger]The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - [https://canpopencyclopedia.home.blog/t/#Truck TRUCK] Wray's later in life preference was playing jazz.CISION PRWeb, JULY 23, 2013 - [https://www.prweb.com/releases/featured_this_week_on_the_jazz_network_worldwide_is_composer_dave_ostrovsky_s_new_single_beatitude_in_blue_/prweb10926860.htm Featured This Week on The Jazz Network Worldwide is Composer Dave Ostrovsky's New Single "Beatitude In Blue"]The Whole Note, Volume 6 Issue 4 - December 2000/January 2001 - [https://kiosk.thewholenote.com/volume-6-issue-4-december-2000-january-2001/39747084/46 Page 46 HONOURABLE MENTION]
Career
=1960s to 1970s=
;Five of a Kind
During the 1960s, Brian Wray was in the group Five of a Kind which also had a pre-Mashmakhan Brian Edwards in their line up.
;Natural Gas
He joined George Olliver's group Natural Gas in May, 1969.The Gazette, Saturday, January 17, 1970 - [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/419314093/ Page 15 Pop Music, Natural Gas a natural treat]The History of Canadian Rock 'n' Roll, By Bob Mersereau - [https://books.google.com/books?id=M7sVCgAAQBAJ&dq=Graham+Lear+Natural+Gas&pg=PT6 FOREWORD A Life in Canadian Rock] In January, 1970 while Natural Gas were playing at the Laugh In on Victoria Street, Montreal, the group surprisingly played the "2001: A Space Oydessy" theme. Wrays keyboard playing was noted in an article, "Natural Gas a natural treat" by The Gazette with the writer saying "he plays piano and organ like a man who's being doing it for a long time" adding " adds just the right touch to the band".The Gazette, Saturday, January 17, 1970 - [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/419314093/ Page 15 Pop Music, Natural Gas a natural treat] While in the band he played piano, organ, flute and added his vocals to the recordings.The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - [https://canpopencyclopedia.home.blog/n/ NATURAL GAS] He did the arrangements on the A side of the single, "All Powerful Man" bw "What Do You Want From My Life" which was released on Firebird FR 1806.45Cat - [https://www.45cat.com/artist/natural-gas-firebird Natural Gas (Firebird) - Discography]RPM Weekly, Volume 13 Non 12 May 9th, 1970 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1970/RPM-1970-05-09.pdf Page 10 RPM 100] The single got to #76 on May 9, 1970, spending seven weeks in the Canadian charts.#RecordsAndCharts - [https://www.racpro.com/grid.php?pid=1&aid=20963 Song ID: (99205) Natural Gas - All Powerful Man] It also at #12 on the Top 50 Canadian Content chart on the same date. RPM Weekly, Volume 13 Non 12 May 9th, 1970 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1970/RPM-1970-05-09.pdf Page 5 TOP 50 CANADIAN CONTENT] Their album that featured his arrangements on four tracks (two of them co-arrangements),Johnkatsmc5 - [https://johnkatsmc5.tumblr.com/post/185613211364/natural-gas-natural-gas-1970-canada-jazz Natural Gas "Natural Gas" 1970 Canada Jazz Rock] got into the Canadian Top 10. It also made the Top 50 in the United States.The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - [https://canpopencyclopedia.home.blog/n/#Natural_Gas NATURAL GAS]
;Motherlode
By March 1971, he was a member of the fifth version of Motherlode. The line up also included Dave Berman (saxophone), Brian Dewhurst (drums), Gerry Legault (bass, vocals), Joey Roberts aka Joey Miquelon (guitar). They didn't get around to recording any material and became part of Truck with the addition of Graham Lear.citizenfreak.com (© Museum of Canadian Music) - [https://citizenfreak.com/artists/99978-motherlode Motherlode]
;Truck
In 1972, and now a member of Truck, he was part of the lineup which also included Jimmy Roberts, Larry Ernewein, Joey Miquelon, Mike Curtis and Graham Lear.RPM Weekly, Volume 17 No. 12 May 6, 1972 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1972/RPM-1972-05-06.pdf Page 5 SUNDOG PRODUCTIONS SIGN TRUCK]
He composed the A side for the group's second single, "Get It Together" bw "Can't Wait (Until Tomorrow)", released on Capitol 72687 in 1972. The B side was composed by James O. Roberts.45Cat - [https://www.45cat.com/artist/truck-canada Truck (Canada) - Discography]Capitol6000 - [http://www.capitol6000.com/72000.html CAPITOL 72687 Get It Together / Can't Wait Until Tomorrow] In early March, "Get it Together" was getting spun on Ron Moore's play list at Radio Western in London, while "Can't Wait Until Tomorrow" (the B sideCapitol6000 - [http://www.capitol6000.com/72000.html CAPITOL 72687 Get It Together / Can't Wait Until Tomorrow]) was getting play on Ron Foster's play list at CKLW-FM in Windsor.RPM The Programmers Weekly, Volume 19 No. 3 March 3, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1973/RPM-1973-03-03.pdf Page 31 The Programmers FM ADDITIONS cont'd from pg. 27]RPM The Programmers Weekly, Volume 19 No. 3 March 3, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1973/RPM-1973-03-03.pdf Page 26 The Programmers CAMPUS EDITIONS, RADIO WESTERN/LONDON, 45s] By mid-March, "Get It Together" was on John Oliver's play list at CHEC in Lethbridge.RPM The Programmers WEEKLY, Volume 19 No. 5 March 17, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1973/RPM-1973-03-17.pdf https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1973/RPM-1973-03-17.pdf Page 36 BREAKOUT MARKETS, continued from page 34] The following week it was in the "Breakout Markets" section and on Ted Hayward's playlist at CJCJ Woodstock.RPM The Programmer's WEEKLY, Volume 19 No. 6 March 24, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1973/RPM-1973-03-24.pdf Page 28 BREAKOUT MARKETS, CJCJ WOODSTOCK]
He also played on the album Truck which wasn't released until 1973.Discogs - [https://www.discogs.com/release/5732569-Truck-Truck Truck (9) – Truck] He co-wrote the opening track, "Rollin's On My Mind" with Graham Lear.The Review, November 29, 2013 - [https://therevue.ca/2013/11/29/vintage-vinyl-truck/ VINTAGE VINYL – TRUCK]Discogs - [https://www.discogs.com/release/5732569-Truck-Truck Truck (9) – Truck] The album entered the RPM100 Albums Chart at #100 on April 21, 1973.RPM The Programmers Weekly, Volume 19 No. 10 April 21, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1973/RPM-1973-04-21.pdf Page 26 The Programmers CAMPUS ADDITIONS, RADIO ERINDALE/CLARKSON]RPM Weekly, Volume 19 No. 10 April 21, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1973/RPM-1973-04-21.pdf Page 15 RPM100 ALBUMS, April 21, 1973] and at #85 was still charting on May 26.RPM Weekly, Volume 19 No. 15 May 26, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1973/RPM-1973-05-26.pdf RPM100 ALBUMS, May 26, 1973]
At some stage in 1973, he left the band and was replaced by Gord McKinnon who was from the group Heat Exchange.The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia - [https://canpopencyclopedia.home.blog/t/#Truck TRUCK]RPM Weekly, Volume 20 No. 19 December 22, 1973 - [https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1973/RPM-1973-12-22.pdf Page 15 TRUCK RETURN HOME TO PREPARE A NEW SHOW]Vernon Morning Star, Mar. 5, 2017 - [https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/entertainment/a-record-45-years-in-the-making/ A record 45 years in the making
Vernon's Craig Carmody finally sees the release of his band Heat Exchange's album, four decades later.
KRISTIN FRONEMAN]
;Further activities
In 1975, he was part of vocalist / flautist Jesse Foster's backing group that also included drummer Jim Norman, guitarist Mike Rodden and electric bassist Keith Jones. Their set called "Life Is Colour" was performed at the Percussion Festival, held at St. Pauls Annex Theatre in Toronto on June 29.Coda, August, 1975 - [https://archive.org/details/sim_coda-magazine_1975-08_12_140/page/34/mode/2up?q=%22Brian+Wray%22 Page 34 Percussion Festival, St. Pauls Annex Theatre, Toronto, June 29, 1975]
=1980s to 1990s=
He played synthesizer on Moe Koffman's 1982 album, If You Don't Know Me by Now..., released in Canada on Elektra XE1-60046.Jazz Music Archives - [https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/moe-koffman/if-you-dont-know-me-by-now MOE KOFFMAN — IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW...] The album which was produced by Domenic Troiano got a good review with Andy Gemza of Medium II saying that Brian Wray played superbly, finding a niche within the band which enabled him to be exploratory on the keyboards without taking anything away from the traditional jazz feel that is the norm for a Moe Koffman album.Medium II, October 27, 1982 Volume. 9, Issue 6 - [https://archive.org/details/mediumii09n6erin/mode/2up?q=%22Brian+Wray%22 Page 9 Sparkling Jazz By ANDY GEMZA] He added piano to Ralph Foster's Voice of Elvis album that was released in 1994.colnect.com - [https://colnect.cn/zh/music_records/music_record/5683777-Ralph_Foster_The_Voice_Of_Elvis 唱片目录 : Music Record › Ralph Foster: The Voice Of Elvis] Along with vocalists Rena Gaile and Debbie Flemming, guitarist Brian Legere, bassist Jim Morgan, saxophonist John Macmurchy, Wray was one of the session men on David Johannesson's blues/rock album, Hard Times which was released on Mighty Joe Music MJM-CD111 in 1998.RPM Weekly, Volume 66 No. 21 - February 16, 1998 -[https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/90s/1998/RPM-1998-02-16.pdf Page 8 New Releases]
=2000s=
In December, 2000, his group, The Brian Wray Jazz Trio was appearing at The Rex Jazz Bar.The Whole Note, Volume 6 Issue 4 - December 2000/January 2001 - [https://kiosk.thewholenote.com/volume-6-issue-4-december-2000-january-2001/39747084/46 Page 46 HONOURABLE MENTION] In June 2001, they were appearing at the Montreal Bistro.The Whole Note, Volume 6 Issue 9 - June 2001 - [https://kiosk.thewholenote.com/volume-6-issue-9-june-2001/39747165/28 Page 29 HONOURABLE MENTION]
He helped with the arrangements on Canadian jazz singer, Carol McCartney's Be Cool album that was released in 2014.All About Jazz, November 16, 2014 - [https://www.allaboutjazz.com/be-cool-carol-mccartney-self-produced-review-by-edward-blanco Carol McCartney: Be Cool By Edward Blanco]
Death
According to George Olliver's post on 12 March 2019 at his George Olliver R&B/Blues Facebook page, Brian Wray had died.Facebook, George Olliver R&B/Blues - [https://www.facebook.com/groups/57978157932/posts/10156437756677933/?mibextid=6NoCDW Brian Wray our keyboardist for NATURAL GAS has passed]
Discography (selective)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.discogs.com/artist/2347617-Brian-Wray Discogs:Brian Wray]
- [https://therevue.ca/2013/11/29/vintage-vinyl-truck/ Truck - "Get It Together" composed by Brian Wray]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rnX37Ozcwo Truck - "Rollin's on My Mind" arranged by Brian Wray]
- Retired Canadian Youtube channel - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P6mvN8XnT4 Natural Gas entire LP, 1970, First song "All Powerful Man" Arr. Brian Wray]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wray, Brian}}
Category:Canadian jazz flautists
Category:Canadian rock keyboardists
Category:20th-century Canadian pianists
Category:21st-century Canadian pianists
Category:Canadian jazz pianists
Category:Canadian jazz musicians
Category:Canadian rock pianists
Category:Canadian music arrangers
Category:Canadian male composers
Category:Natural Gas (musical group) members
Category:Motherlode (band) members