Ray Conniff

Ray Conniff
Conniff in 1967
Background information
Also known asJay Raye, Jimmy Richards
Born
Joseph Raymond Conniff

(1916-11-06)November 6, 1916
DiedOctober 12, 2002(2002-10-12) (aged 85)
GenresBig band
OccupationsComposer, conductor
InstrumentsTrombone, vocals
Websitewww.rayconniff.info

Joseph Raymond Conniff (November 6, 1916 – October 12, 2002) was an American bandleader and arranger best known for his Ray Conniff Singers during the 1960s. He developed a unique sound taking advantage of stereo LP recording combining wordless chorus with brass and woodwinds reinterpreting American standards. The recorded sounds shifted the balance of instruments in a way that could not be heard in live performance, for example balancing a harp or rhythm guitar against a full brass ensemble.