The Ray Birely Big Band

"Music Designed with Dancers in Mind"

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MEET THE BAND: 
 
The Ray Birely Big Band was founded by the late Ray Birely in the early 1960's.  Members come from a variety of backgrounds including, but not limited to, degreed instrumental music instructors, name band musicians, and active and retired U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors and U.S. Navy Commodores.  The band has been under the direction of Ray's son, Rocky, since 1994.
    
Instrumentation:
 
Musical Director:    Mr. Rocky Birely
 
Saxophone
Rocky Birely
Rick Fontaine
Jim Hueting
Vince Norman
Ed Smarsh
Jim Snively
Lydia Vickers
 
Trumpets
Cliff Bigoney
John Brye
Dennis Fraley
Joel Guyton
Bill Hicks
Don Junker
Bill Krantz
Randy Martell
Jeff Mussolino
Dale Orris
Gil Rathel
Steve Richwine
Skip Stine
Steve Strawley
Larry Weber
 
Trombones
Ron Axsom
Mike Buckley
Charlie Doherty
Brad Gunson
Brian Hinkley
James Nee
Kurt Nigh
Keith Smith
Jerry Walker
Tom Whitman
 
Rhythm
Guitar:  Tony Suranno
Bass:  Arnie Helmick, Herman Hopple
Dan Zarcone
Piano:  Tom Colgan, Don Junker, Bob Larson, Mike Maher, Vince Norman, Herb Sell,
Bob Strain, Bob Sykes 
Drums:  Duane McNairn, Craig Lokey,
Paul Wilson
Sound:  Ted Jenkins
Vocalists:  Connie Guy and Harry Haines
Alternate Vocalists:  Rosanne Fraley,
Sheryl Keefauver