Park Foundation Music App

Home > Artists

Ray Price Quartet

The Ray Price Quartet was formed in the early 60s in Sydney. Ray Price had been a member of The Port Jackson Jazz Band since 1947, then the short-lived Dixielanders in 1952, before reforming the Port Jackson Jazz Band, 1955-1962.. Besides his work as a jazz musician he was also a member of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra during the 50s as a double bass player. Defying an ultimatum from the ABC (who sponsored the SSO concerts) regarding his jazz activities, he was dismissed from the SSO amid considerable publicity in 1956. Soon after Price formed a trio for the Macquarie Hotel, which, ironically, was heard in 1959 by a guest SSO conductor, Constantin Silvestri, who gave it high praise. With changed personnel and augmented to a quartet, the group moved to the Adams Hotel's Tavern of the Seas on George Street Sydney; this residency concluded in 1966. Many famous names passed through the ranks of the band including Col Nolan, Dick Hughes and John Sangster. Signed to CBS their first release was the Sidney Bechet composed ''A Moi De Payer'' which made the top twenty on the charts in 1962. In 1965 they charted with the folk song ''Puff The Magic Dragon''. Ray Price - Banjo, Guitar Patricia Qua - Keyboard Bass and Piano Len Barnard - Drums Tom Baker - Trumpet and Tuba Graham Spedding - Clarinet , Alto and Tenor Saxophone