Ray Reach
Raymond Everett Reach Jr. (August 3, 1948 – February 17, 2026) was an American pianist, vocalist, guitarist, composer, arranger, music producer and educator, who was convicted in the State of Alabama on child pornography charges. Reach has performed and recorded in various genres, including pop, R&B, Motown/soul, gospel, rock, classic rock, country (contemporary and traditional), contemporary Christian, classical, and jazz music, but is perhaps best known for his work in jazz, combining jazz piano stylings with Sinatra-style vocals. He resided in Birmingham, Alabama.
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (March 2015) |
Ray Reach | |
|---|---|
| Born | Raymond Everett Reach, Jr. August 3, 1948 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | February 17, 2026 (aged 77) Montgomery, Alabama, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1964–2026 |
| Website | rayreach.com |
Raymond Everett Reach Jr. (August 3, 1948 – February 17, 2026) was an American pianist, vocalist, guitarist, composer, arranger, music producer and educator, who was convicted in the State of Alabama on child pornography charges.[1] Reach has performed and recorded in various genres, including pop, R&B, Motown/soul, gospel, rock, classic rock, country (contemporary and traditional), contemporary Christian, classical, and jazz music, but is perhaps best known for his work in jazz, combining jazz piano stylings with Sinatra-style vocals.[2] He resided in Birmingham, Alabama.
Career
[edit]Reach was a member of several active performing and recording groups, including the Magic City Jazz Orchestra (of which he was the founding director), the Ray Reach Orchestra, and the Night Flight Big Band.
As a composer, he wrote and arranged five Broadway-style musicals for Birmingham Children's Theatre: Rumplestiltskin, The Perfect Prince, The Bravo Bus, Backstage Baby, and Tuxedo Junction.[3][4]
Child pornography conviction and imprisonment
[edit]On April 23, 2018, Reach was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Alabama for the possession of child pornography.[5] The connection between those charges and his Jazz Classes for Children for the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is still under investigation. Reach was convicted May 15, 2025.[6] Reach was sentenced on July 9, 2025, to 10 years split with two years to serve in prison followed by three years of unsupervised probation. He was also required to register as a sex offender.[7]
Death
[edit]Reach died at a hospital in Montgomery, Alabama on February 17, 2026, at the age of 77.[8]
Selected discography
[edit]As leader
- Especially for You (1994) - with Robert Dickson on bass[citation needed], Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Sonny Harris on drums, and Gary Neil McLean on saxophone and flute.
- Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas (2005) - with Sonny Harris on drums, Chris Wendle on bass and Gary Wheat on saxophone.
As vocalist, pianist, arranger and co-producer
As producer
- Uncle Bud's Lectro Wood Experience[9][10]
- Lou Marini and the Magic City Jazz Orchestra. Lou's Blues (2001)[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Robinson, Carol (2025-05-15). "Popular Birmingham jazz musician and teacher convicted of possessing child porn". al. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ^ Brown, Angela: "Birmingham Beat – Uncovering the Local Music Scene", Birmingham Magazine, March, 2006, p. 121
- ^ "Birmingham Children's Theatre". Bct123.org. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
- ^ "Rumplestiltskin". Bct123.org. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
- ^ Robinson, Carol (24 April 2018). "Tip led to 4-count child porn indictment against well-known Birmingham jazz musician". al.com. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
- ^ https://www.al.com/crime/2025/05/popular-birmingham-jazz-musician-and-teacher-convicted-of-possessing-child-porn.html
- ^ https://www.al.com/crime/2025/07/well-known-alabama-jazz-musician-sentenced-in-child-porn-case.html
- ^ Robinson, Carol (20 February 2026). "Well-known Alabama jazz musician convicted in child porn case dies in state custody". Al.com. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ "Glen Duncan profile at". Countrymusic.about.com. February 24, 2011. Archived from the original on August 15, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
- ^ "Uncle Bud". Rockgrass.com. Retrieved December 17, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ All About Jazz (June 9, 2010). "Magic City Jazz Orchestra". Allaboutjazz.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
External links
[edit]
- Official website
- Official YouTube channel
- Article names Ray Reach as one of 30 Alabamians that changed jazz history
- Video by Jerry Henry done at Nutthouse Recording in Sheffield, Alabama
- Video of Blue Lou Marini and Ray Reach at St. Martin's In The Pines, Birmingham, Alabama
- Video of Ray Reach with Ken Watters and friends at the 2012 W.C. Handy Music Festival