Charles McNeal with Ray Obiedo

Description

Charles McNeal
Charles is a featured performer at many national and international festivals including: Monterey Jazz Festival (CA), San Jose Jazz Festival (CA), San Francisco Jazz Festival (CA), Playboy Jazz Festival (CA), Telluride Jazz Festival (CO), Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy), Porretta Soul Festival (Italy).

He has performed, recorded and/or toured with: Jimmy Scott, Charlie Mussellwhite, Keb Mo, John Faddis, Wynton Marsalis, Leslie Drayton, McCoy Tyner, Ray Obiedo, Dave Garabaldi, RAD, Brenda Boykin, Claire Dee, Lavay Smith and the Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Barbara Morrison, Barbara Dennerlein, Jr. Mance, Bruce Forman, Mark Elf, Roberta Flack, The Temptations, Ollie Woodson, Norman Conners, Jean Carne, Curtis Olson, Peter Horvath, Jaz Sawyer, Boz Scaggs, Nicolas Bearde and many more.

Ray Obiedo

The world of contemporary jazz guitarist Ray Obiedo is an energetic and hypnotically rhythmic soundscape. It shows off the passion, flavor and style of the Northern California region that nurtured the musical soul of this fascinating and prolific jazz artist.

Although Obiedo didn’t begin seriously studying guitar until his last year in high school, he had already been deeply influenced by artists like Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery, and Antonio Carlos Jobim. He became totally focused on mastering his instrument and learning the craft of songwriting throughout the 70’s and 80’s, and his career as a jazz artist began taking form.

Obiedo has performed with many of jazz’s most celebrated stars including legendary organist Johnny “Hammond” Smith, trombonist Julian Priester, and Azteca with Pete and Sheila Escovedo. In 1978–79 he toured the world with jazz superstar Herbie Hancock. As a session player, Obiedo’s guitar work has appeared on albums by artists as diverse as Lou Rawls, George Duke, Brenda Russell, Herbie Hancock, Sheila E & the E Train, The Whispers and the Delfonics. Eventually launching his own solo recording career on the Windham Hill label, Obiedo has released five acclaimed contemporary jazz albums.

All Ages Welcome.