Ray Bryant

American jazz pianist and composer. His brothers were the bassist Tommy Bryant and Len Bryant, a drummer and singer. His nephews are Kevin Eubanks and Robin Eubanks. Born on December 24, 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA). Died on June 2, 2011 in New York City, New York (USA).

Bryant's career covered a wide range of genres from bop to blues, boogie woogie, gospel and R&B. It began in the late 1940's while playing with Tiny Grimes. In 1951 he became house pianist at the Blue Note in Philadelphia, backing visiting musicians such as Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Lester Young and Dizzy Gillespie, remaining until 1953. He began to record as leader for Epic in 1955 (later for parent label Columbia in 1960 when signed by John Hammond), Prestige and Signature (4). In 1958 or 1959, he settled in New York. With The Ray Bryant Combo he also entered the R&B genre, backing Aretha Franklin on her debut for Columbia and releasing the Bryant co-written R&B hit The Madison Time, later used in the Hairspray movies.

As a composer he is also known for writing the jazz standard Cubano Chant. In the 1960s, Bryant released several albums of soul-jazz on the Cadet label. But his solo piano albums are among his best, containing interpretations of blues, gospel and standards, like 1956's Alone With The Blues and 1972's Alone At Montreux.