Guitar master RAY OBIEDO’s “CAROUSEL” featuring Toots Thielemans, Bob Mintzer, Andy Narell

​RAY OBIEDO is a prolific jazz guitarist and composer. He has appeared on dozens of CDs as a sideman with some of the top names in jazz, as well as releasing nine CDs as a leader, including his latest outing, CAROUSEL. The album is an eclectic mix of styles, featuring eight tunes composed by Obiedo and one by Henry Mancini. Obiedo has performed as a sideman with many celebrated artists, including legendary jazz organist Johnny “Hammond” Smith, trombonist Julian Priester, Azteca featuring Pete and Sheila Escovedo and Fourplay’s Harvey Mason. A world tour in 1978-79 with jazz superstar Herbie Hancock is still one of Obiedo’s treasured memories. Obiedo also has released five contemporary jazz albums on the Windham Hill label, garnering critical praise and commercial success. Throughout his recording career, he has remained loyal to his rhythm and blues roots while coloring his work with an Afro-funk feel and infectious pop and Latin/Brazilian grooves. Obiedo is also a skilled producer and engineer. In addition to producing his own albums, he has produced and/or engineered several CDs for other artists, including his most recent co-production and engineering work on Amikaeyla’s Being in Love, featuring bass superstar Esperanza Spalding. For CAROUSEL, Obiedo assembled 32 musicians, most whom are his old friends and some of the finest jazz musicians living in Northern California and beyond. Several of them performed with Santana and/or Tower of Power over the years. Obiedo’s music is highly energized with a hypnotically rhythmic soundscape. CAROUSEL has a distinctive Latin flavor but is infused with the funk and R&B that is so emblematic of his beloved San Francisco Bay Area music vibe.