Amelia Islander June 2010 : Page 33

fernandina faces DeMerle Band and a professional drummer who played with legendary performers, such as Lionel Hampton and Harry James. “When I was very young and Les led the house band at The Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island with his wife, Bonnie Eisele, as vocalist, I found it so exciting,” remembers Cam. “I heard them perform every single weekend for years.” Cam later had the privilege of playing with Les for about a year. “It was a great experience and gave me an opportunity to perform with a really big group of well- rounded musicians.” Cam has played piano with the Les DeMerle band all over Cam Ray BY JAN DAVIS PHOTO BY HOLLY ALLAIN PHOTOGRAPHY Amelia Island, he was born and raised here, his parents Laurye and Bob Ray still live here, and his deceased grandmother, Millie Campbell, was former principal of Southside Elementary School. “He was six years old,” his mother remembers, “when he began begging to take piano lessons.” His first teacher was Gail McCamy. “He was so eager,” recalls Gail. “He was almost self-taught by his first lesson. I could tell he would go a long way.” During his high school years, he studied with Pam Helton, who helped him hone his talent. When he was only 12, Cam performed on an antique piano in the former Victorian Room of the Amelia Island Museum of History, bringing that instrument to life in a memorable first concert. While he was still in high school, he created a jazz vesper service at Memorial Methodist Church, and he also played at church each Sunday evening with a revolving group of friends. Later, he enrolled in the music department at the University of North Florida and embarked on a career in jazz. “Les DeMerle was a very important mentor for me,” says Cam. DeMerle is the well-known leader of the Dynamic Les A t age 30, Cam Ray is considered by many to be the finest jazz keyboard artist in Northeast Florida. A true son of the area and he has even been on several Caribbean Big Band cruises with the group. Cam’s home base is now in Jacksonville, where, through a member of one of his bands, he met his wife Angie, who was a ballroom dance instructor. “She is now the world’s greatest mother,” he adds. Their son, Jonah, will turn two years old in July. “I can already tell that he is going to be musical!” Cam says with a huge smile. How does a musician with such late-night hours balance his work with his family life? Thursdays through Saturdays are his busiest work nights. On other days, he has private students and begins teaching at 2:00 p.m. The best part of his schedule is that it gives him all morning with Jonah. The difficult part of his business is not having a benefits package. “It takes a leap of faith to want to do this job,” he says. Indeed, faith is the right word, as a deep religious faith permeates his conversation, something perhaps unexpected in a jazz musician. He says that Pam Helton – who is the wife of the minister of Amelia Baptist Church, as well as his early music teacher – began his lessons with the scripture James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” Cam inserted that scripture on the program for his UNF senior recital. Cam has now come full-circle, and his band “Instant Groove” now headlines every Thursday evening in the Lobby Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. He has played keyboard in the pit orchestra for many off-Broadway shows, and his calendar is full with other bookings. One highlight of his career was playing keyboard for the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, during a concert in Orlando. A very talented hometown boy, his future promises many more such highlights. For more information or to hear some of Cam Ray’s music, go to www.tophatentertainment.com or contact the musician directly at cam@tophatentertainment.org. 33 AMELIA ISLANDER MAGAZINE • JUNE 2010 www.AmeliaIslander.com

Cam Ray

At age 30, Cam Ray is considered by many to be the finest jazz keyboard artist in Northeast Florida. A true son of Amelia Island, he was born and raised here, his parents Laurye and Bob Ray still live here, and his deceased grandmother, Millie Campbell, was former principal of Southside Elementary School. “He was six years old,” his mother remembers, “when he began begging to take piano lessons.” His first teacher was Gail McCamy. “He was so eager,” recalls Gail. “He was almost self-taught by his first lesson. I could tell he would go a long way.” During his high school years, he studied with Pam Helton, who helped him hone his talent. When he was only 12, Cam performed on an antique piano in the former Victorian Room of the Amelia Island Museum of History, bringing that instrument to life in a memorable first concert. While he was still in high school, he created a jazz vesper service at Memorial Methodist Church, and he also played at church each Sunday evening with a revolving group of friends. Later, he enrolled in the music department at the University of North Florida and embarked on a career in jazz. “Les DeMerle was a very important mentor for me,” says Cam. DeMerle is the well-known leader of the Dynamic LesDeMerle Band and a professional drummer who played with legendary performers, such as Lionel Hampton and Harry James. “When I was very young and Les led the house band at The Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island with his wife, Bonnie Eisele, as vocalist, I found it so exciting,” remembers Cam. “I heard them perform every single weekend for years.” Cam later had the privilege of playing with Les for about a year. “It was a great experience and gave me an opportunity to perform with a really big group of wellrounded musicians.” Cam has played piano with the Les DeMerle band all over the area and he has even been on several Caribbean Big Band cruises with the group. Cam’s home base is now in Jacksonville, where, through a member of one of his bands, he met his wife Angie, who was a ballroom dance instructor. “She is now the world’s greatest mother,” he adds. Their son, Jonah, will turn two years old in July. “I can already tell that he is going to be musical!” Cam says with a huge smile. How does a musician with such late-night hours balance his work with his family life? Thursdays through Saturdays are his busiest work nights. On other days, he has private students and begins teaching at 2:00 p.m. The best part of his schedule is that it gives him all morning with Jonah. The difficult part of his business is not having a benefits package. “It takes a leap of faith to want to do this job,” he says. Indeed, faith is the right word, as a deep religious faith permeates his conversation, something perhaps unexpected in a jazz musician. He says that Pam Helton – who is the wife of the minister of Amelia Baptist Church, as well as his early music teacher – began his lessons with the scripture James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” Cam inserted that scripture on the program for his UNF senior recital. Cam has now come full-circle, and his band “Instant Groove” now headlines every Thursday evening in the Lobby Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. He has played keyboard in the pit orchestra for many off-Broadway shows, and his calendar is full with other bookings. One highlight of his career was playing keyboard for the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, during a concert in Orlando. A very talented hometown boy, his future promises many more such highlights. For more information or to hear some of Cam Ray’s music, go to www.tophatentertainment.com or contact the musician directly at cam@tophatentertainment.org.

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