Raymond Angry

Raymond Angry
Raymond Angry at The Blue Note on August 15, 2024 with Plumb, J.M.I. Recordings
Raymond Angry at The Blue Note on August 15, 2024 with Plumb, J.M.I. Recordings
Background information
Also known asMr. Goldfinger
BornJuly 4, 1972
Albany, Georgia
GenresPop, Soul, R&B, Jazz
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, arranger, producer
Instrument(s)Piano, Keyboards, Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, Moog synthesizer, Farfisa organ, Wurlitzer, Keytar
Years active1994–present
Member ofThe Roots, The Tonight Show Band, The Council of Goldfinger
Websitehttps://rayangry.com

Raymond "Ray" Angry (b. July 4, 1972) is an American keyboardist, record producer, and composer known for his work across soul, R&B, pop, and jazz. Angry also uses the alias "Mister Goldfinger".[1] He has joined the hip-hop band, The Roots on tour and in The Tonight Show Band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Since the 1990s, Angry has contributed songs and played on many hit records. He wrote Christina Aguilera's "Slow Down Baby",[2] Ja Rule's "Real Life Fantasy" and Melanie Fiona's "Priceless". Angry has collaborated with notable acts including Cindy Blackman, Mike Mangini, Tom "Bones" Malone, David Gilmore, Betty Wright and James Poyser. He has also worked with Patti LaBelle, Louie Vega, Jeremiah, Mobb Deep, Elvis Costello, Peter Gallagher and Elliott Yamin. He also played on records by Robbie Williams, Joss Stone and has toured with D'Angelo. He released his first album as lead artist, One[3] in 2018, followed by Ray Angry Three in 2023 with J.M.I. Recordings.

Early life

Ray Angry was born in Albany, Georgia on July 4, 1972. Growing up in Miami, his first instrument was the baritone tuba, followed by the French horn. Angry started playing piano around age five in church and arts programs in Miami, Florida. He attended Norland Middle School, and auditioned to then attend the New World School of the Arts. His early musical education focused on classical piano, with Angry performing in piano recitals and competitions, citing inspiration from composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Thomas Whitfield.

Angry attended Howard University, pursuing a double major in Classical and Jazz Piano. He took a leave of absence to pursue a world tour with the band Shai from 1992-1994, before re-enrolling to matriculate.

Career

Ray Angry's first live recording was on Yolanda Adams's 1996 album, Live in Washington, on a Hammond B-3 organ. In the 2000s, he began regularly sitting in as a studio musician for major recording artists in New York, NY, including the artists Joss Stone, Christina Aguilera, Mark Ronson, and others.

In 2010, Angry was the musical director for Off the Wall: A Michael Jackson Tribute.[4] In 2013 he received a Grammy nomination as part of The Roots' record Undun.[5]

In 2018, Ray Angry's debut LP album One, was recorded live to analog tape at Reservoir Studio in New York. Angry performed songs from the album on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in October, 2018.[6]

In August 2020, Angry contributed to the live streamed recording of the singer Bilal's EP VOYAGE-19, created remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. It was released the following month with proceeds from its sales going to participating musicians in financial hardship from the pandemic.[7][8]

Producer Mondays

Angry has hosted the creative platform and thinktank for art, "Producer Mondays" weekly at Nublu Club in New York since 2018. The event series includes a mixture of professional musicians and up-and-coming artist drop-ins, with a focus on cross-genre, original music.[9]

Studio Recordings

Albums - As lead artist

Title Release date Label Format Features
Ray Angry Three[10] 2023 J.M.I. Recordings vinyl, digital
One[11] 2018 J.M.I. Recordings vinyl, digital Myron Walden (trumpet/flute), Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet), Derrick Hodge (bass) and Eric Harland (drums)

Albums - In a group

Title Artists Release date Label Format
Plumb[12] David Murray, Questlove, Ray Angry 2023 J.M.I. Recordings vinyl, digital
Revive Music Presents Supreme Sonacy Vol. 1[13] Igmar Thomas, Raydar Ellis, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Ben Williams, Marcus Strickland, Brandee Younger, Keyon Harrold, Maurice Brown, Justin Brown, Kris Bowers, Jaleel Shaw, Marc Cary, Casey Benjamin, and others. 2015 Blue Note Records/REVIVE Music CD, digital

Singles

Title Artists Release date Label Format
Keep on Loving You[14] Wallette ft. Ray Angry November 11, 2024 Translation Enterprises d/b/a/ United Masters digital

Classical works

Film music

  • Descendant (documentary). 2022. [soundtrack to the original score, unreleased][17]

References

  1. ^ "Credits on Discogs.com"
  2. ^ "Allmusic Credits "Raymond Angry""
  3. ^ "Ray Angry Ray Angry One (12" vinyl LP)". JMI Recordings. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Ray Angry". Guild Hall. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  5. ^ "Allmusic Credits "Ray Angry""
  6. ^ Shteamer, Hank (5 October 2018). "Song You Need to Know: Ray Angry, 'It Might Be Gold'". Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  7. ^ Schatz, Lake (September 7, 2020). "Stream Bilal's New Album VOYAGE-19". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  8. ^ Threadcraft, Torry (September 6, 2020). "Check Out Bilal And HighBreedMusic's 'VOYAGE-19' Album". Okayplayer. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  9. ^ Noel, David Emmanuel (November 25, 2019). "In Conversation: Acclaimed Pianist and Producer Ray 'Goldfinger' Angry". Occhi Magazine.
  10. ^ "Ray Angry - Ray Angry Three". JMI Recordings. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Ray Angry Ray Angry One (12" vinyl LP)". JMI Recordings. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  12. ^ "David Murray/Questlove/Ray Angry". JMI Recordings. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Revive Music Presents Supreme Sonacy Vol. 1". Blue Note. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  14. ^ "Wallette - Keep on Loving You". United Masters. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  15. ^ Bennett II, James (November 16, 2022). "The Roots' Ray Angry goes back to his musical roots with orchestral premiere in Lexington". WGBH. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  16. ^ Haas, Scott (November 9, 2022). "Ray Angry of The Roots branches out with symphony premiere". The Bay State Banner. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  17. ^ "Composer Ray Angry on his first symphony and new documentary score". Fox5 Atlanta. October 20, 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  18. ^ "CD, LP, Vinyl record album cover art Enlarge Note Steve Wilson Sit Back, Relax, & Unwind". Dusty Groove. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 5 August 2023.