Singer, songwriter, guitarist Ray Gervato creates music overflowing with passion. His ability to infuse a piece of his heart into each of his songs is demonstrated in his latest CD titled BlueShare. A blend of Rythym and Blues, Rock, Pop, and other musical influences and elements, BlueShare,(Ray's 2nd CD), has yielded four more Honorable Mention certifications to add to a total of six since 2003, in Billboard Music's Annual World Song Contest. Those tracks include: title track "Blueshare, Fly On, Melody Maker, and Letting Go."
One Road, Ray's very first CD (finished in 2002), is also available along with BlueShare from this site for downloading.
Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, Elvis, and many more, Ray's crisp guitar playing along with soulful vocals have begun to draw more and more attention to this native south jersey artist and musician. The back cover of BlueShare, features a detailed oil painting showcasing Ray's artistic side which can be viewed in the photos section of this website. Of guitars, Ray says: "they are similar to cars in that, you get into them, and they take you for a ride." He is currently in pre- production working out new material for his 3rd CD, ...and making cameo acoustic appearances around coffee houses and open mic's within the tri-state area. Ray is
currently reconsituting the lineup of players from the past to the present for future gigs and recording sessions.
Ray recently attended a tribute concert assembled by the entity "Experience Hendrix" controlling the Jimi Hendrix estate-and was able to meet his fave guitarists' bassist
from the "Band of Gypsy's" Billy Cox. "That was truly a thrill getting to meet the man who was probably Jimi's best friend after the show". That experience only added fuel to Ray's desire to assemble his own take on the infamous Hendrix musical legacy. "I saw Randy Hanson when I was 10 years old and again in Seattle when I was 31. He inspired me to play Jimi Hendrix before I even knew what it all meant. I'm about to see him again at the Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA this summer." UPDATE: Ray saw the show June 4, 2010...and was successful in meeting Randy Hansen afterward in the lobby of the Keswick Theatre. "Another great thrill" Ray says. " I reminded him of the Seattle show he did with Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell back in 1995 (celebrating the Hendrix estate finally being awarded the rights back to his music) where intense lightning and thunder surrounded the outdoor venue, but no rain. He remembered that show. And the lightning as he pointed to the sky after each bolt. I told him that it was Jimi sayin' thanks...Randy flashed a big smile in approval. He was awesome as usual on stage-and very cool in person to meet. It's almost scary how much he sounds like Jimi -especially his vocals!"
Ray plans on showcasing HIS spin on Jimi Hendrix along with his own original music as soon as a decision on a drummer has been made. "The bass player I've been rehearsing with and I are close to choosing who's gonna be Mitch...a tall order." Of course, Ray's original music will be front and center, but having the right pieces to the puzzle in place are key for both the originals AND the cover music-especially the Hendrix. Stay tuned.
Ray Gervato can be seen making acoustic and electric cameos most Tuesday's at the Bus Stop Music Cafe in Pitman, N.J. at 7PM, Wednesday's at the Treehouse Cafe in
Audubon, N.J. at 7PM, and Thursday's at the Barrington Coffeehouse in Barrington N.J. at 8PM. Beginning again on Sept. 1, Ray will again be appearing at the Auction House in Audubon on Wednesday's at 8pm following the Treehouse weekly open stage.
On Saturday July 31 Ray will be at Mirarchi's Williamstown Inn from 7-11PM.
