Ray Abrams

Ray Abrams (January 23, 1920 – July 1992) was an American jazz and jump blues tenor saxophonist, born Ray Abramson in New York City. His younger brother was jazz drummer Lee Abrams. Ray Abrams first worked with Dizzy Gillespie in 1945, toured Europe with Don Redman in 1946 and was with Andy Kirk in 1947. He went back and forth between Kirk and Gillespie for decades. Outside of his work with Gillespie he might be best known for the "Ray Abrams Big Band." Other bands with which he played into the early 1950s include those of Hot Lips Page, Roy Eldridge, and Slim Gaillard.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 23, 1920 (New York City), Died July 6, 1992 (Brooklyn)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1946 - 1953

Roles Represented in DAHR: tenor saxophone, saxophone

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor D6VB-2792 10-in. 9/5/1946 Epistrophy 52nd Street Boys ; Kenny Clarke Jazz/dance ensemble instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D6VB-2795 10-in. 9/5/1946 Royal roost 52nd Street Boys ; Kenny Clarke Jazz/dance ensemble instrumentalist, saxophone  
Decca 75523 11/25/1949 The worst is yet to come Cecil Payne Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 75524 11/25/1949 Angel child Cecil Payne Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 75525 11/25/1949 Block buster boogie Cecil Payne Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 75526 11/25/1949 Ham hocks Cecil Payne Orchestra instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 84311 4/3/1953 Trotting Terry Gibbs Sextet instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 84312 4/3/1953 Bernie's tune Terry Gibbs Sextet instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 84313 4/3/1953 De Arango Terry Gibbs Sextet instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  
Decca 84314 4/3/1953 Lemon drop Terry Gibbs Sextet instrumentalist, tenor saxophone  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Abrams, Ray," accessed April 23, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/300232.

Abrams, Ray. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/300232.

"Abrams, Ray." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 23 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/300232

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