[Dixielandjazz] Obituary: Ray Santisi, piano instructor at Berklee for 57 years--Giacomo Gates and Bob Maksymkow respond

[Sep Troelstra]

Ray Santisi plays the piano on the rare Donald Byrd Quartet LP (on the 
Transition label) "Byrd Blows On Beacan Hill" (May 7, 1956).

 From the booklet notes [Tom Wilson] of the Japanese CD:

'While in Boston [Cambridge] to record the album "Byrd's Eye View" with 
Art Blakey, Horace Silver, et al., in December of 1955, Byrd got his 
first opportunity to play with pianist Ray Santisi and drummer Jim 
Zitano. He dug. When we planned this date he requested that Ray and Jim 
'make it.' Both of these fine musicians are endowed with a great sense 
of what is fitting, harmonious, and beautiful in jazz accompaniment. In 
combination with Doug Watkins, Santisi and Zitano form an urbanely 
ebullient rhythm section for the backing of Byrd's musings.'

Sep Troelstra


Norman Vickers schreef op 26-11-2014 16:46:
> To:  Musicians and Jazzfans list; DJML
>
> From: Norman Vickers, Jazz Society of Pensacola
>
>   
>
> Yesterday, I sent out obituary piece on pianist/teacher Ray Santisi of Boston.
>
> Listmates Vocalist Giacomo Gates  of Bridgeport, CT and saxophonist/teacher Bob Maksymkow of Pensacola respond.
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> Thanks for Gates and Bob for your contributions.
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>   
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> From: Giacomo Gates [mailto:giacomogates at hotmail.com]
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> Subject: RE: Obituary: Ray Santisi, piano instructor at Berklee for 57 years
>
>   
>
>   Norm....
> Ray Santisi......
> Maybe 1992, I was fortunate to have sat in at Sculler's Jazz Club, in Boston.   I was graciously invited by alto saxophonist, Richie Cole to sit in on his set.  The rhythm section consisted of Ray Santisi, piano, John Lockwood, bass and Alan Dawson, drums.
> Needless to say, I was spoiled early by this world class rhythm section.....
> Tip of the hat, to Ray Santisi.
>
> Regards, Giacomo Gates
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> From: Bob Maksymkow [mailto:saxmak at cox.net]
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> Subject: Re: Obituary: Ray Santisi, piano instructor at Berklee for 57 years
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>   
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> Norman:
>
> In the late 60s, I played a gig on the Tex Beneke band outside of Boston. It was a pickup group and a few of the Berklee faculty, including Herb Pomeroy, John LaPorta and Ray Santisi were in the band......quite a thrill for this young college guy.
>
> The other act on that show was Irish tenor, Dennis Day, who became known through the Jack Benny TV show. I remember that as Dennis sang one of his Irish ditties, Ray was comping behind him playing bebop lines.....probably the most inappropriate style that would've been chosen to accompany an Irish tenor.  Everyone in the band was breaking up and I'll bet Dennis never even noticed.  That had to be about 45 years ago.............Bob Maksymkow
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