Ray Bryant

Ray Bryant (Raphael Homer Bryant) (born December 24, 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a American jazz pianist and composer.

Ray Bryant began playing the piano at the age of six, also performing on bass in junior High School. Turning professional before his age of majority, Bryant has accompanied many other leading players such as Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Melba Liston and Coleman Hawkins, as well as singers like Carmen McRae and Aretha Franklin. From the late 1950s he also led a trio, performing throughout the world, and also working solo. He is also a noted jazz composer with well known themes such as "Cubano Chant", "The Madison Time" and "Little Susie" to his credit.

The musicians Kevin Eubanks and Robin Eubanks are his nephews and his brother was the bass player Tommy Bryant (May 21, 1930 – March 1, 1982). He also has another brother, Len Bryant, who plays drums and sings.

Both Tommy and Ray Bryant formed a trio with Oz Perkins as the back-up band for the off-Broadway run of comedy show Cambridge Circus, at Square East in 1964. The show starred John Cleese, Bill Oddie, Tim Brooke-Taylor, David Hatch, Jo Kendall, Graham Chapman, Jonathon Lynn and Jean Hart.