Ray is widely respected as one of Sydney’s finest session trumpet players, and regularly performs with the world’s leading artists at jazz festivals, jazz clubs, major concert venues around Australia. Ray performs across a range of styles including jazz, funk, latin, pop, musical theatre, and orchestral music. He is often called on to play live on national television, most recently playing lead trumpet with Harry Connick Junior on the 2023 grand final of “Australian Idol”.

Ray was honoured to be one of three Australians to perform with “The Eagles” band as a part of their 2019 world tour, playing stadium concerts throughout Australia and New Zealand. He also regularly performs around Australia with Lachy Doley’s “Horns of Conviction” for which he is both trumpet player and horn arranger.

Other career highlights include appearing as as guest soloist with Vanessa Amorosi at the 2019 Carols in the Domain and playing lead trumpet with “The Voice” house band since 2017. Ray has also performed with with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as guest principal trumpet, where he was a featured jazz soloist at the front of the orchestra.

Ray is in high demand as a studio musician, and his trumpet can be heard many albums, jingles, and TV shows, including Netflix originals “Beat Bugs” and “Motown Magic” alongside first call Los Angeles musicians Wayne Bergeron and Gary Grant. In addition to recording in some of Sydney’s top studios, Ray is often called upon to make recordings in his home studio, both as a trumpet player and jazz pianist.

Ray is a passionate music educator, and directs jazz ensembles in some of Sydneys top schools. He also runs a private trumpet teaching studio where he has enjoyed watching many of his students progress to tertiary study, and embark on professional careers.

“The sound of this instrument is effortlessly beautiful at all dynamic levels. It is so easy to mould the sound to match the style and mood of the music. The pitch is incredibly accurate across the full range, and the resistance feels just right.

I have been searching my whole career for a horn that could play soft and warm ballads one minute, and sizzling lead trumpet sounds the next – I have finally found what I have been looking for! Thank you for producing such beautifully crafted and wonderfully playing trumpets – the Schagerl 1961 WM horn is quite simply the best trumpet I have ever played!”