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RAY SANDOVAL is an award
winning composer, performer, producer and educator, trained in both the
Classical and Jazz genres.
Born of Japanese and Mexican-American parents, Ray’s musical career
began at home in Tucson, Arizona. At the young age of eight, he
was
playing drums in a family band with his older brother, Richard
Sandoval.
Their hobby turned into serious study when both became the first
students selected for APEX (Academic Preparation for Excellence) – a
University of Arizona program that enabled dedicated young students to
take university-level music classes. Through APEX, under the guidance
of Thomas Patterson, Professor of Music, Ray began intense studies in
classical guitar that eventually led to a Bachelor’s Degree in Music.
Ray left Arizona to pursue his graduate studies at The California
Institute of the Arts (CalArts),
earning a Masters in 20th Century
Music, World Music and Jazz Improvisation.
In California, Ray began composing for theatre productions, such as
Iago, One Gun Family and Boda de Sangre, taking up a position as the
Music Director for Theatre at Plaza
de La Raza School of Performing
Arts.
Los Angeles’ amalgam of cultures had a profound effect on Ray’s
music.
From hip-hop to classical guitar, Ray began to experiment with
Afro-Cuban, Spanish and Brazilian sounds. He started Indigenous
Colors, a group that incorporated jazz improvisation, hip hop and funk.
During this time, Ray also joined the popular Los Angeles-based group Quetzal.
The group drew influences from latin jazz, soul, hip-hop and
folkloric music to create a unique blend of politically conscious
lyrics and infinite groove. Quetzal has enjoyed critical acclaim
with
their Vanguard Release, Sing the Real, playing with groups such as
Cubanismo and Los Lobos. Quetzal also appeared on the Just Push
Play
Tour featuring Aerosmith, Kid Rock and Run DMC.
In 1999, Ray completed and independently released his debut solo CD, A
La Naturaleza, featuring original compositions and arrangements on
an
all-acoustic ensemble of bass, drums, world percussion, piano and
guitar. That was quickly followed up in 2000 by his second CD, Mi
Ofrenda, released by Music Camp Entertainment in Japan. Both
records
have been critically acclaimed, prominently featured in GQ, Esquire and
Acoustic Guitar. In December 2002, Ray finished Suenos, a
five song EP
featuring original and traditional compositions from Mexico.
In 2003, Ray departed from Quetzal to concentrate on his personal work,
exploring a musical heritage that spans from Mexico to Japan. He
now
lives in London, where he continues to compose and perform.
Awards
Japan/U.S. Friendship Commission Creative Artist
Grant
European Musical Alliance Composition Program
Eugene Leonard Schaffer Classical Guitar Competition
ASTA Competition for Strings
William Mullaney Guitar Competition
Featured Performances
Toyko, Japan – International House of Japan
Tokyo, Japan – TLG Odaiba
Kyoto, Japan – Kyoto University
Los Angeles, CA – Pasadena Presbyterian Church
Guadalajara, Mexico – Teatro
Experimental
Chicago, Illinois – Dame Myra Hess Concert Series
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