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Ray's father was born in Wickhaven, Pennsylvania and his mother was born in [[Uzhorod]], [[Bohemia]]. Ray's grandfather died in the [[Darr Mine Disaster]] of 1907 in Wickhaven. After the disaster Ray's grandmother moved her children back to Uzhorod. While in Uzhorod and during [[World War I]], Ray's father, although he was a United States citizen, was drafted at the age of 16 into the [[Austrian Army]]. He served as a [[runner (war)|runner]] in the [[trench warfare|trenches]]. After his service he met his wife in Uzhorod, married and moved to [[Lorain,_Ohio|Lorain]], Ohio, a small town settled by many European immigrants. |
Ray's father was born in Wickhaven, Pennsylvania and his mother was born in [[Uzhorod]], [[Bohemia]]. Ray's grandfather died in the [[Darr Mine Disaster]] of 1907 in Wickhaven. After the disaster Ray's grandmother moved her children back to Uzhorod. While in Uzhorod and during [[World War I]], Ray's father, although he was a United States citizen, was drafted at the age of 16 into the [[Austrian Army]]. He served as a [[runner (war)|runner]] in the [[trench warfare|trenches]]. After his service he met his wife in Uzhorod, married and moved to [[Lorain,_Ohio|Lorain]], Ohio, a small town settled by many European immigrants. |
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Ray was born the middle of three children in Lorain, Ohio. He was in elementary school during the [[Great Depression]]. While in high school on weekends and during the summer Ray worked at the Lorain Works of [[U.S. Steel]], a large [[steel mill]] on the shore of [[Lake Erie]], as a laborer, [[Shipyard Burner|burner]] and clerk. He would listen to his favorite big bands on the radio, from records and by attending live performances at the many ballrooms (including the Cedar Point Grand Ballroom, Crystal Beach Ballroom and others) that lined the Lake Erie shoreline. On his 17th birthday, and before finishing high school, he enlisted in the [[United States Navy]]. This was towards the end of [[World War II]]. He wanted to be a [[dive bomber]] gunner, but because of dental problems he wasn't offered that choice. He served in the [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|Pacific Theatre]] on the escort aircraft carrier [[ |
Ray was born the middle of three children in Lorain, Ohio. He was in elementary school during the [[Great Depression]]. While in high school on weekends and during the summer Ray worked at the Lorain Works of [[U.S. Steel]], a large [[steel mill]] on the shore of [[Lake Erie]], as a laborer, [[Shipyard Burner|burner]] and clerk. He would listen to his favorite big bands on the radio, from records and by attending live performances at the many ballrooms (including the Cedar Point Grand Ballroom, Crystal Beach Ballroom and others) that lined the Lake Erie shoreline. On his 17th birthday, and before finishing high school, he enlisted in the [[United States Navy]]. This was towards the end of [[World War II]]. He wanted to be a [[dive bomber]] gunner, but because of dental problems he wasn't offered that choice. He served in the [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|Pacific Theatre]] on the escort aircraft carrier [[USS Point Cruz (CVE-119)]]. He was on the crew that commissioned the ship and was a [[plank owner]]. He served as a [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm anti-aircraft gun]] gunner, [[Bofors 40 mm gun|40 mm anti-aircraft gun]] trainer and storekeeper. Because of his background he was simply known as "Russian" on the ship. After serving 2 1/2 years he returned to Lorain, finished high school and then went to [[Ohio University]] in [[Athens,_Ohio|Athens]], Ohio. |
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In 1948 while at Ohio University he started his own [[big band]] consisting of 3 saxophones, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone and 3 rhythm players. He was a drummer. He was born Ray Skrepich, but when it came time to name his band he thought his name was too hard to remember and pronounce, so his father suggested he use his mother’s maiden name of Lawrence. As a result the band was named "Ray Lawrence and his Orchestra". After a couple of years his big band disbanded and he formed a [[rhythm and blues]] [[quartet]] named "Rockin Ray and his Rocket Rhythm". His quartet played [[race music]] on the [[chitlin' circuit]] and shared the bill with groups such as [[Bo Diddly]], [[Fats Domino]] and [[Otis Williams and the Charms]]. |
In 1948 while at Ohio University he started his own [[big band]] consisting of 3 saxophones, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone and 3 rhythm players. He was a drummer. He was born Ray Skrepich, but when it came time to name his band he thought his name was too hard to remember and pronounce, so his father suggested he use his mother’s maiden name of Lawrence. As a result the band was named "Ray Lawrence and his Orchestra". After a couple of years his big band disbanded and he formed a [[rhythm and blues]] [[quartet]] named "Rockin Ray and his Rocket Rhythm". His quartet played [[race music]] on the [[chitlin' circuit]] and shared the bill with groups such as [[Bo Diddly]], [[Fats Domino]] and [[Otis Williams and the Charms]]. |
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Revision as of 18:23, 14 June 2010
Ray Lawrence | |
|---|---|
 Lawrence in the early 2000s | |
| Born | Ray Skrepich |
| Occupation(s) | bandleader, record company executive, record producer, personal manager |
| Years active | 1950's - present |
Ray Lawrence (born August 19, 1927) was a bandleader, record company executive, record producer and personal manager.
Biography
Ray's father was born in Wickhaven, Pennsylvania and his mother was born in Uzhorod, Bohemia. Ray's grandfather died in the Darr Mine Disaster of 1907 in Wickhaven. After the disaster Ray's grandmother moved her children back to Uzhorod. While in Uzhorod and during World War I, Ray's father, although he was a United States citizen, was drafted at the age of 16 into the Austrian Army. He served as a runner in the trenches. After his service he met his wife in Uzhorod, married and moved to Lorain, Ohio, a small town settled by many European immigrants.
Ray was born the middle of three children in Lorain, Ohio. He was in elementary school during the Great Depression. While in high school on weekends and during the summer Ray worked at the Lorain Works of U.S. Steel, a large steel mill on the shore of Lake Erie, as a laborer, burner and clerk. He would listen to his favorite big bands on the radio, from records and by attending live performances at the many ballrooms (including the Cedar Point Grand Ballroom, Crystal Beach Ballroom and others) that lined the Lake Erie shoreline. On his 17th birthday, and before finishing high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy. This was towards the end of World War II. He wanted to be a dive bomber gunner, but because of dental problems he wasn't offered that choice. He served in the Pacific Theatre on the escort aircraft carrier USS Point Cruz (CVE-119). He was on the crew that commissioned the ship and was a plank owner. He served as a 20 mm anti-aircraft gun gunner, 40 mm anti-aircraft gun trainer and storekeeper. Because of his background he was simply known as "Russian" on the ship. After serving 2 1/2 years he returned to Lorain, finished high school and then went to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.
In 1948 while at Ohio University he started his own big band consisting of 3 saxophones, 1 trumpet, 1 trombone and 3 rhythm players. He was a drummer. He was born Ray Skrepich, but when it came time to name his band he thought his name was too hard to remember and pronounce, so his father suggested he use his mother’s maiden name of Lawrence. As a result the band was named "Ray Lawrence and his Orchestra". After a couple of years his big band disbanded and he formed a rhythm and blues quartet named "Rockin Ray and his Rocket Rhythm". His quartet played race music on the chitlin' circuit and shared the bill with groups such as Bo Diddly, Fats Domino and Otis Williams and the Charms.
In the spring of 1953 Ray stopped performing and became a salesman for American Tobacco Company and then a reporter for F. W. Dodge Corporation. He then started his own theatrical booking agency in Cleveland, Ohio named Artistry and Promotion. He booked musical combos and some variety acts across the United States and Canada.
In the fall of 1960 Ray joined Cosnat Distributing, a record distributor, in Cleveland, Ohio as a salesman. Cosnat was a “leader in its field on the Eastern Seaboard “[1]. In the fall of 1961 he moved to Los Angeles, California and was instrumental in setting up Cosnat’s West Coast operations.
In the fall of 1962 Ray became the general sales manager for Colpix Records and Dimension Records, which were divisions of Columbia Pictures, in New York, New York. After a year Ray was promoted to General Manager of Colpix Records and worked directly for Don Kirshner. While at Colpix Records he signed and produced Woody Allen’s first comedy album and also signed John Davidson and Davy Jones before he became a member of “The Monkees”.
In April of 1965 Ray started his own business, Ray Lawrence, Ltd.[2] to specialize in promoting phonograph records and servicing rack jobbers, one stops and retail record outlets. Some of his clients included Johnny Mathis, Robert Goulet, Bill Cosby, Woody Allen, Barbara Streisand, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Floyd Cramer, Three Dog Night, Steppenwolf and others.
In the late 1970's he started Dobre Records, a jazz record label. He produced and released over 50 albums of jazz musicians including Milcho Leviev, Cannonball Adderly, Ruth Brown and others. A detailed discography is available below. Most of the records were recorded at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood, California. Five of the albums he produced were nominated for Grammy awards. Ray was also involved in starting at least two other record labels, including Black Jazz Records and Jazzz Records.
In May 1980, because of changes in the record industry business model Ray stopped promoting phonograph records and started acting as a personal manager for musical artists and variety acts.
Ray is retired and currently lives in Studio City, California.
Discography
Some albums that Ray has produced.
| Dobre Number | Artist | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | Laurindo Almeida | Latin Guitar |
| 1001 | Chuck Flores Quintet | Flores Azules |
| 1003 | Elliott Fisher | Land of Make Believe |
| 1004 | Bobby Hackett Quartet | Thanks Bobby |
| 1005 | Tommy Vig Orchestra | Somebody Loves Me |
| 1006 | Stanley Behrens Trio | Jazz Harmonica De Luxe |
| 1007 | Mundell Lowe Trio | Guitar Player |
| 1008 | Cannonball Adderly Quintet | Volume 1 of III |
| 1009 | Della Griffin with Trio | Sings |
| 1010 | H. Ray Crawford Quartet | It’s About Time |
| 1011 | Harry Bluestone Duo | Artistry in Jazz |
| 1012 | Bobby Forrester Trio | Organist |
| 1013 | Floyd Huddleston with Mundell Lowe Quartet | Happy Birthday Jesus |
| 1014 | Anita O’Day with Trio | Anita O’Day |
| 1015 | Tommy Vig Quintet | Tommy Vig 1978 |
| 1016 | Sonny Til and The Orioles | Sonny Til and The Orioles Today |
| 1017 | Johnny Guarnieri Trio | Makin’ Whopee |
| 1018 | Mundell Lowe Trio | The Incomparable Mundell Lowe |
| 1019 | Ray Cooper & Group | Everybody’s Cup of Tea |
| 1020 | Les Demerle | Transfusion |
| 1021 | H. Ray Crawford Quartet | Piano Lesson |
| 1022 | John Tiribasso Quintet | Diamond Cufflinks and Mink |
| 1023 | Pete Candoli Quartet | From the Top |
| 1024 | Laurindo Almeida Trio | Laurindo Almeida Trio |
| 1025 | Milcho Leviev Quartet | Piano Lesson |
| 1026 | Sonny Til with Band | Back to the Chapel |
| 1027 | Roger Kellaway | Solo Piano |
| 1028 | Billy Perkins | Sings for Jesus |
| 1029 | Anita O’Day with Trio | There’s Only One |
| 1030 | Jay Orlando Quartet | In a Mello-Tone |
| 1031 | Mel Henke Trio | Love Touch |
| 1032 | Farley Parkenfarker | Plays Elvis |
| 1033 | Nat McCoy with Group | Soul |
| 1034 | Bill Farrell with Trio | Lush Life |
| 1035 | Dave & Larry Koonse Quartet | Father & Son Jazz Guitar |
| 1036 | Smokey Stover and the Magnificient 7 | Anyone for Country Hoe-Down |
| 1037 | Joe Conley & Eric Scott | Of the Waltons |
| 1038 | Page Cavanaugh Trio | Is Alive |
| 1039 | Milcho Leviev Quartet | Blue Levis |
| 1040 | Jay Orlando Quartet | Jay Orlando Loves Earl Bostic |
| 1041 | Ruth Brown with Trio | You Don’t Know Me |
| 1042 | Lou Levy Trio | A Touch of Class |
| 1043 | Frankie Ortega Trio | Smokin’ |
| 1044 | Edie Miller Quartet | Legend |
| 1045 | Roger Kellaway | Say That Again |
| 1046 | Page Cavanaugh Trio | Next Page |
| 1047 | Herb Jeffries with Trio | I Remember the Bing |
| 1048 | Dave & Larry Koonse Quartet | Son of Jazz Guitar |
| 1049 | Linda Guymon with Quartet | Steve Allen Presents Linda Guymon |
| 1050 | Pete & Conte Candoli Sextet | Candoli Brothers |
| 1051 | Abe Most Quartet | The Most-Abe Most That Is |
| 1052 | Laurie Loman with Orchestra | Country Weepers |
| 1053 | Laurindo Almeida and Herb Jeffries | Play and Sing the Duke |
| 1054 | Gene Townsel | Time Wounds All Heels |
| 1055 | Mike Warren | Survival Kit |
| 1056 | Eddie Joe Downs | Hard Times |
| 1057 | Monty Budwig | Dig |
| 1058 | George Russell with Orchestra | George Russell in London |
| 1059 | Herb Jeffries with Trio | The King and Me |
| 1060 | Don Randi & Quest | Bermuda Triangle |
| 1061 | George Smith | Harmonica Blues King |
| 1062 | Dick Whittinghill | The Romance of Helen Trump |
| 1063 | Jay Orlando | Horn Aplenty |
| 1064 | Bill Farrell | Maybe this Time |
| 1065 | Bill Farrell | Sings Favorite Concertos |