PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN: Music media, recording, keyboards, bass, and private instruction. Over 30 years experience.
KEYBOARD GIGGING: Corporate, weddings, and parties.
Styles: Gospel, Jazz, Latin, R&B, Funk, and Classical.
BASS GIGGING: Corporate, weddings, & parties.
Styles: Gospel, Jazz, and Latin.
MUSIC LESSONS AND TRAINING ARE AVAILABLE ON:
Piano & Keyboard
Electric Bass
Vocals
Music Theory
Improvsation
Music Media
MIDI
Home Studio Design
CLINICS:
Improvisation
Rhythm Section Techniques
Music Production Techniques
Jazz Ensemble Techniques
FOR GIGS, STUDIO SESSIONS, MUSIC PRODUCTION, RECORDING, AND MUSIC LESSONS PLEASE CONTACT:
Ray Akers
Private Music Instructor
Music Station 54
PO Box 1684
Jonesboro, GA 30237
[email protected]770.355.0506
PERFORMED WITH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RECORDING ARTIST: Grover Washington Jr, Abdu Salim, Charles Baldwin, Heather French, Hillary Jones, Army Ground Forces Band, and Jamie Abersol.
PERFORMED WITH REGIONAL RECORDING ARTIST: Alfie Moss and Friends, Gerald Chavis and Friends, Clifton McKinney and Friends, Roy Richardson, Orquesta Sensacional Lonnie Seal, Black Sands Project, John Cook, Jeff Akers, Tony Granberry and Friends, Felicia Warner and Friends, Wayne Cross, Polly Desroches, Charles Peterson and Friends, Andrew Crudup, Joseph Larry, John Packard, Jim Bartelt, Will Andrews, Joe Carmada, Carmen Carraballo, Steve Mohasey, the band Inner Visions, Mike Speakmon, Clara Akers, Darrly Rivers, Gary Harris (High Voltage), Kim Crawford, Termite and the As One Band, John Williams, Alicia Y' Rumba Brava, Quinton Jones, John Haack, Ken Moody, Terrell Moody, Joel Joyner, Celeste Akers, Champana, Jackie Murphy, James Angel, Mark Morton, Dexter Whitaker, Jessie Powers, Howard Stroman, Alex St. Felix, Pedro Quinones, Rae Jones and Friends, Ken Moody, James Lambie, the band Confirmation, Willie Cambell, Luis Branch, Brett Anderson, John Coley, Joseph Akers, Carmelita Cephas and Friends, and Don Tillman and the G.B.N. Band.
BACKGROUND:
Originally from Port Huron, Michigan, Ray Akers began his formal studies in piano at Michigan State University. He later went on to attend Bellarmine College and the Naval School of Music to further his music studies. Ray also attended DeVry University to stage his background for electronic music and music media.
PERFORMANCE:
As a performing artist, Ray has worked as a professional musician for the last 25 years performing around the world in more than 20 different countries (to include England, Korea, Panama, Brazil, Equador, Paraguay, Uraguay, Costa Rica, Venezuela, and El Salvador) with various ensembles. He has recorded on numerous albums with various artists to include the Army Ground Forces Band and Orquesta Sensacional. Ray is fluent and proficient in many different styles and genres of music. Specializing in jazz and Latin styles, he is truly a master improviser and soloist. Ray’s style of playing is influenced by artist like Herbie Hancock, Chic Corea, Oscar Peterson, and Thelonious Monk. Ray has also performed with some of the most accomplished musicians from around the world to include Grover Washington Jr., Alfie Moss, Abdu Salim and Jamie Abersold. He has also had the distinguished honor to perform for former presidents Ronald Regan and George Bush. Ray aspires to be the consumate musician.
EDUCATOR EXPERIENCE:
Ray served as the Music Media/MIDI Specialist and piano instructor at the Naval School of Music during the mid and late 90's. His expertise allowed him to design, develop, and implement a music media/MIDI program for the Armed Forces Music Program. This program played a significant role in futurizing the way military musician's train, produce, and perform music. Ray has also directed various ensembles from concert to marching band, Jazz band and small groups as well. As a private instructor, Ray has continued to developed and influence many musicians at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of training. His practical, systematic, and thorough teaching method allows students to develop quickly and rise to their full potential. Retiring from military music, Ray is busy working on various recording projects, freelancing as a pianist/keyboardist, supporting the community as a private instuction music educator, and providing music media services in the greater Atlanta area.
