Ray Montford - Guitarist / Composer

Ray Montford is one of those rare guitarists who, like Jeff Beck and David Gilmour, does not consider virtuosity as a means in itself, and who knows how to make his instrument sing, creating wild and simple beauty while wringing emotion from every note.  Inspired by his love of the open road – he’s an avid motorcyclist - the one-time accompanist for the Rankin Family and Mary Jane Lamond, composes stirring instrumentals and with eight albums to his credit, has built a repertoire that plays like a series of magical sonic pictures. 

On November 7, 2012, Ray released Vintage Is Now, the much anticipated release by the guitarist.  An evocative collection of tunes engaging and inviting the listener into a visceral and melodic odyssey, Vintage is deeply rooted in the guitarist’s distinctive compositional sound and celebrates his early rock/blues influences, while creating a journey of depth and character.  Produced by veteran Terry Brown (Rush/Max Webster/Klaatu), Vintage Is Now finds the band, rounded out by ace musicians Ben Riley and Tom Lewis, fusing together a mystical and collective interplay, with great grooves and delicious tones.
   
Born in Ottawa, Ray began learning by ear and woodshedding with the great rock records of that era.  After studying audio engineering, production, and performance in the Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College and doing a term in the music program at Humber, Ray started writing his own compositions and opened up his own studio.  His moving instrumentals have been heard on National CBC radio and have been licensed for various television series. In summer 2012, Ray and his band played the Oakville and Markham Jazz Festivals, turning heads with their unique and powerful sound.  They've also played several house concerts in his studio, self-produced theatre shows, clubs, corporate events and private parties.  In 2001 he toured The Netherlands with Ed Hanley on tabla / percussion and he also opened Toronto and Montreal dates for the Tony Levin Band (Peter Gabriel).  Ray eschews bar gigs in favour of performances in theatres, festivals and listening rooms.

Ben Riley - drums

Currently working on his Master’s Degree in Composition at York University, Ben has been in demand as a touring and session drummer for over fifteen years.  He has played alongside many luminaries such as Bruce Cockburn, Holly Cole, Bowfire, Michael Kaeshammer, Sophie Milman, Molly Johnson, Joe Sealy, Doug Riley, Marc Jordan, Amy Sky, Moe Koffman, Domenic Troiano, Joshua Nelson, Matt Dusk, Wynton Marsalis and Gary Burton among others.  He has been touring with a number of these artists extensively throughout Canada, Europe, the U.S., China and Japan.  Ben also co-leads an original soul/R&B project in Toronto, Planet Earth, which has opened for Maceo Parker as well as for the Toronto International Film Festival.  Having played on dozens of albums and hundreds of commercials, as well as music for film and TV, Ben also composes, arranges and produces in many styles of music including classical, jazz, singer/songwriter and R&B.  He has composed works for string quartet, world music ensembles as well as for symphony orchestra. 

Tom Lewis - Bassist        

Bassist Tom Lewis has toured and recorded with Tom Cochrane (EMI), Rik Emmet (Triumph, Universal), Amanda Marshall (Sony), Honeymoon Suite, Partland Bros. (EMI), Alan Frew (Glass Tiger, EMI), FeFe Dobson (DefJam), Gord Deppe (Spoons), Aselin Debison (Sony), Alexs Johnson (Nickelodeon/MTV) and The Yardbirds (Jim McCarty).  Support tours with The Beach Boys, the Moody Blues and Jeff Healey have greatly contributed to Tom’s international tour experience. Tom was Musical Director for Ted Rogers’s 75th birthday celebration at The Rogers Centre May 2008.  Noteworthy T.V. appearances include several national and internationally (MTV) aired music videos, The Juno Awards, The Arsenio Hall Show, and a live performance with Randy Bachman (Guess Who/BTO). Tom’s bass playing can be heard on National TV and Radio spots for the likes of Ontario Place, Home Hardware, GM, Ford and many more.

"The ever-tasteful musician has a gift for grand musical moments that retain their intimacy... an atmospheric, emotional road well worth travelling."
- Steve Baylin, Ottawa Xpress

 "Ray Montford is a sensitive and exploratory musician who combines traditional techniques with
exciting world music influences." - Atom Egoyan

" shed your skin is a brilliant record... incredible playing... singular musical voice ... and one of the best recorded guitar records I've ever heard in my life!"
- Will Ackerman (founder of Windham Hill Records)

"As hypnotic as a highway at night, always-moving, always-changing scenery, the kind of music
you hear on an old car radio in the middle of nowhere." - Denis Armstrong, Ottawa Sun 

photos by Rick O'Brien (band) & Cam Maclennan
Ray endorses John Pearse Acoustic Guitar Strings, AEA Acoustic Amps, Thompson Guitars & Z amps