Ray Gelato

Ray Gelato

Ray Gelato is a London-born jazz and swing musician, born in 1961, known for work on tenor saxophone and vocals. His early musical background is shaped by his father, a US airman living in London, who brings home a large record collection that includes Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and Bill Haley. As a teenager, Gelato spends much of his time at London rock and roll clubs, R&B venues and live gigs, where he hears Louis Jordan, Louis Prima and other artists who later influence his style.

Early musical development

In 1979, Gelato takes up the tenor saxophone and studies at night school and with private tutors. He develops a long-term interest in jazz tenor playing and learns from the work of Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Illinois Jacquet and Ben Webster. Around this period, he often sits in with live bands when possible, which leads him to decide on a life in music.

The Chevalier Brothers

In 1982, Gelato forms The Chevalier Brothers with Maurice Chevalier, and remains with the group until 1988. After winning a talent contest at London’s Camden Palace, where he first appears as lead vocalist, the band becomes widely known on the London club scene. With bassist Clark Kent, they help revive interest in swing music from the 1940s and 1950s. The group performs heavily in the UK, tours Europe and Japan, appears on television, releases three albums and several singles, and works with Slim Gaillard. At their peak, they play around 200 gigs a year. The line-up includes Gelato on tenor sax and vocals, Maurice Chevalier on guitar, Clark Kent on bass, John Piper on drums and Roger Beaujolais on vibes.

Film and later band

In 1988, Gelato appears playing and singing in the British film Scandal. That same year he forms Ray Gelato and the Giants of Jive, a seven-piece group that establishes the format he continues to use. The band performs at Carnegie Hall, the Nice Jazz Festival and the Lugano Jazz Festival, and tours extensively in the UK and Europe. It records three CDs before disbanding in 1994. He is also associated with Ray Gelato's Giants of Jive and The Ray Gelato Giants.