Big Black

Percussionist from Savannah Georgia, born on the 24th of February, 1937. Big Black was William "Fish" Ray's younger brother who was a Vauderville performer. He started playing percussion in Miami in the 50's and performed with various salsa and calypso bands until he moved to New York in the 60's. He got connected with various Bebop artists and bands there and soon was a regular percussionist for Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Hubbard and Randy Weston. He was dubbed "The king of Congas" and is a highly regarded institute of the african culture in Harlem. Over the years he has worked with Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders, B.B. King, Hugh Masekela, [A=Harvey Mandel] and Thelonious Monk to name a few.