Ray Reach

Ray Reach
Born
Raymond Everett Reach, Jr.

(1948-08-03)August 3, 1948
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
DiedFebruary 17, 2026(2026-02-17) (aged 77)
Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
Genres
OccupationMusician
Instruments
  • Keyboards
  • guitar
  • vocals
Years active1964–2026
Websiterayreach.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

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

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

Reach died at a hospital in Montgomery, Alabama on February 17, 2026, at the age of 77.[8]

Selected discography

As leader

  • Especially for You (1994) - with Robert Dickson on bass, 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

References

  1. ^ Robinson, Carol (2025-05-15). "Popular Birmingham jazz musician and teacher convicted of possessing child porn". al. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
  2. ^ Brown, Angela: "Birmingham Beat – Uncovering the Local Music Scene", Birmingham Magazine, March, 2006, p. 121
  3. ^ "Birmingham Children's Theatre". Bct123.org. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  4. ^ "Rumplestiltskin". Bct123.org. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ https://www.al.com/crime/2025/05/popular-birmingham-jazz-musician-and-teacher-convicted-of-possessing-child-porn.html
  7. ^ https://www.al.com/crime/2025/07/well-known-alabama-jazz-musician-sentenced-in-child-porn-case.html
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Glen Duncan profile at". Countrymusic.about.com. February 24, 2011. Archived from the original on August 15, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  10. ^ "Uncle Bud". Rockgrass.com. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  11. ^ All About Jazz (June 9, 2010). "Magic City Jazz Orchestra". Allaboutjazz.com. Archived from the original on December 23, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
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