RAY'S MUSIC EXCHANGE
''05/10/02 - THE MAD FROG - CINCINNATI, OH (EXCLUSIVE), DISC THREE''
2002
169:47
DISC ONE
1 - UNI/9:56
2 - Peruvius/10:48
3 - Punji/6:01
4 - Bright Size Life/7:36
5 - Exidor/7:41
6 - Synchrocosmic/9:09
7 - Horesload/14:15
8 - Jam Bass Solo/2:47
DISC TWO
1 - Old #6/7:31
2 - Misguided Samaritan 12-Tone Misguided Samaritan/18:09
3 - Bowie Knife/7:37
4 - Let's Move To Cleveland/9:51
5 - Eat That Question/7:52
6 - Red Rocket/5:15
DISC THREE
1 - Bimini/16:36
2 - Gapers/7:09
3 - Jan-Jan/14:40
4 - Green Earrings/06:08
BIOGRAPHY
by Greg Prato
The Cincinnati-based jazz/funk multi-member outfit Ray's Music Exchange consists of Eli Hludzik (drums and percussion), Nick Blasky (bass), Joe McLean (guitar), Brad Myers (guitar), and Michael Mavridoglou (trumpet, flügelhorn, percussion). The group isn't afraid to stretch out with improvised jams, as all its members are songwriters in their own right. In addition to headlining their own shows, Ray's Music Exchange has played shows alongside such acclaimed artists as John Scofield, Victor Wooten, Stanley Jordan, Béla Fleck & the Flecktones, Deep Banana Blackout, Oteil Burbridge, Mickey Hart and Planet Drum, Ekoostik Hookah, Fat Mama, Lake Trout, Ulu, Leftover Salmon, Umphrey's McGee, the Big Wu, Jazz Is Dead, and Jerry Garcia Band, as well as at several festivals -- the High Sierra (1999), Berkshire (1999, 2000), Autumn Equinox (2000), and the H.O.R.D.E. Music Festival (1998). The band issued Alivexchange in 1999 (which won the Cincinnati Entertainment Award for 1999 Album of the Year and Best Jazz Group in 2000) and Turanga in 2001. Although Ray's Music Exchange is the main focus of its members, they're also involved in several side projects, including Soma, NuPorno Nation, and Uncle JoeBob.
BIOGRAPHY
BY JAMBASE
Ray's Music Exchange is a six piece ensemble from Cincinnati dedicated to the creation of eclectic and innovative music. Ray's focuses on the collaborative process and developing a strong community of musicians through various side projects and guest performers. With influences ranging from jazz and funk, to worldbeat and experimental, the collective result is unique and balanced, often venturing through many musical ideas during the course of an evening. Orchestrated compositions, free and guided improvisations, electronic music, and an adventurous approach to musical communication are all part of a Ray's performance.
Eli Hludzik (drums) and Nicholas Mavridoglou (percussion) provide a dynamic rhythmic foundation, floating between jazz and ethnic grooves. Nick Blasky (bass) lays down a progressive bottom end, and brings soulful vocals to the group. Joe McLean (guitar) and Brad Myers (guitar) weave multi-stylistic sonic and harmonic explorations into the mix. Michael "Mad Dog" Mavridoglou (trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion) offers melodic solos, tight lead lines, and interactive percussion that rounds out the ensemble.

''05/10/02 - THE MAD FROG - CINCINNATI, OH (EXCLUSIVE), DISC THREE''
2002
169:47
DISC ONE
1 - UNI/9:56
2 - Peruvius/10:48
3 - Punji/6:01
4 - Bright Size Life/7:36
5 - Exidor/7:41
6 - Synchrocosmic/9:09
7 - Horesload/14:15
8 - Jam Bass Solo/2:47
DISC TWO
1 - Old #6/7:31
2 - Misguided Samaritan 12-Tone Misguided Samaritan/18:09
3 - Bowie Knife/7:37
4 - Let's Move To Cleveland/9:51
5 - Eat That Question/7:52
6 - Red Rocket/5:15
DISC THREE
1 - Bimini/16:36
2 - Gapers/7:09
3 - Jan-Jan/14:40
4 - Green Earrings/06:08
BIOGRAPHY
by Greg Prato
The Cincinnati-based jazz/funk multi-member outfit Ray's Music Exchange consists of Eli Hludzik (drums and percussion), Nick Blasky (bass), Joe McLean (guitar), Brad Myers (guitar), and Michael Mavridoglou (trumpet, flügelhorn, percussion). The group isn't afraid to stretch out with improvised jams, as all its members are songwriters in their own right. In addition to headlining their own shows, Ray's Music Exchange has played shows alongside such acclaimed artists as John Scofield, Victor Wooten, Stanley Jordan, Béla Fleck & the Flecktones, Deep Banana Blackout, Oteil Burbridge, Mickey Hart and Planet Drum, Ekoostik Hookah, Fat Mama, Lake Trout, Ulu, Leftover Salmon, Umphrey's McGee, the Big Wu, Jazz Is Dead, and Jerry Garcia Band, as well as at several festivals -- the High Sierra (1999), Berkshire (1999, 2000), Autumn Equinox (2000), and the H.O.R.D.E. Music Festival (1998). The band issued Alivexchange in 1999 (which won the Cincinnati Entertainment Award for 1999 Album of the Year and Best Jazz Group in 2000) and Turanga in 2001. Although Ray's Music Exchange is the main focus of its members, they're also involved in several side projects, including Soma, NuPorno Nation, and Uncle JoeBob.
BIOGRAPHY
BY JAMBASE
Ray's Music Exchange is a six piece ensemble from Cincinnati dedicated to the creation of eclectic and innovative music. Ray's focuses on the collaborative process and developing a strong community of musicians through various side projects and guest performers. With influences ranging from jazz and funk, to worldbeat and experimental, the collective result is unique and balanced, often venturing through many musical ideas during the course of an evening. Orchestrated compositions, free and guided improvisations, electronic music, and an adventurous approach to musical communication are all part of a Ray's performance.
Eli Hludzik (drums) and Nicholas Mavridoglou (percussion) provide a dynamic rhythmic foundation, floating between jazz and ethnic grooves. Nick Blasky (bass) lays down a progressive bottom end, and brings soulful vocals to the group. Joe McLean (guitar) and Brad Myers (guitar) weave multi-stylistic sonic and harmonic explorations into the mix. Michael "Mad Dog" Mavridoglou (trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion) offers melodic solos, tight lead lines, and interactive percussion that rounds out the ensemble.