Ray grew up listening to Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Wynton Marsalis. He started playing trumpet at 16, studying music at Kingston University. He studied trumpet with Ray Allen (R.A.M) and Colin Clague (principal trumpet English National Opera) and later took up jazz piano and jazz trumpet.
Ray has since performed for Lady Diana, worked with Mica Paris, jazz great Jean Toussaint and recorded on Ivor Novello winner Scott Matthews' second album 'Elsewhere' (which also featured Robert Plant). Ray has toured extensively, playing in Moscow, USA and across Europe in many international jazz and blues festivals including London's infamous 606 club.He has also performed regularly in the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem's annual 'Feast of Tabernacles' and with gospel giant Ron Kenoly.