This Lobby Show is a rare opportunity for our Spire jazz fans to hear one of the
world’s finest jazz guitarists fronting his own band! That is because Gray had been
a member of Tony Bennett’s quartet from 1998 until Tony’s retirement last year.
Gray also backed Lady Gaga while she was on her record-breaking tour with Tony.
Gray has worked with Illinois Jacquet, Ruby Braff, and George Wein's Newport All-
Stars and initially gained national recognition for his recordings with Dave
McKenna and Scott Hamilton.
Gray’s all-star trio for this show includes:
Marshall Wood/Bass
Also previously a member of Tony Bennett’s band, Marshall Wood was born in
Omaha, Nebraska, raised in Washington, D.C., and moved to New England in
1979, where he quickly became one of the most sought-after bassists in the area.
Marshall Wood has enjoyed a comprehensive jazz career working with true jazz
masters for over thirty-eight years including multiple performances, tours and
recordings with: Big Joe Turner, Anita O’Day, Joe Pass, Gene Bertoncini, Dizzy
Gillespie, Clark Terry, Ruby Braff, Urbie Green, Phil Wilson, Al Cohn, Bud Freeman,
Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache, Randy Brecker, Tommy Flanaghan, Monty
Alexander, Makoto Ozone, Nelson Riddle, Ralph Sharon, Phil Woods, Joe Williams,
Marian McPartland and a host of others.
Rafael Barata/Drums
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Rafael Barata is a self-taught drummer based in NY.
He started playing at the age of 5 and has played and recorded with many
impressive artists such as Leny Andrade, Emilio Santiago, Rosa Passos, Lisa Ono,
Jaques Morelenbaum, Kenny Barron, Milton Nascimento, Edu Lobo, Roberto
Menescal, João Donato, Marcos Valle, Ivan Lins and Eliane Elias, who he worked
with on Grammy award winning album, Made in Brazil. Rafael tours all around the
world with several projects including Eliane Elias Quartet (Eliane Elias, Marc
Johnson and Rubens de La Corte), Cello Samba Trio (Jaques Morelenbaum and
Lula Galvão) and lately with the multi awarded artist Dianne Reeves.