Cam Ray Trio

The Gulf Jazz Society has scheduled an outstanding Jazz Trio for their August 16^th event at the Shrimp Boat Restaurant on Beck Avenue in St Andrews – Panama City. The Cam Ray trio includes Cam Ray on the Piano, drummer Lawrence Young Jr, and Steve Gilmore on the double bass.

Cam Ray holds the distinction of being one of North Florida’s most sought-after pianists for both solo and group settings, as well as an experienced private instructor and musical director. He has been playing professionally in the Southeast for almost 30 years. 

A classically-trained jazz musician, Cam’s diverse style includes Broadway tunes, Motown favorites, and mainstream hits. He has performed in a wide range of environments, including 17-piece big band groups, off-Broadway orchestras, and Caribbean cruise bands. 

Cam has played with Aretha Franklin and was tapped to be the opening entertainment for the band Earth, Wind, & Fire. He played steel drums for a children’s benefit with Morgan Freeman as well as at a VIP dinner with former President George W. Bush benefiting Christ’s Church Academy in Jacksonville.

Lawrence Young Jr. was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, and is the son of two career music educators, Lawrence and JoAnn Young, Sr. Lawrence currently serves as band director at Booker T. Washington High School. He is the director of the Marching Band, Jazz Band, Concert Band/Wind Ensemble, percussion ensemble. Lawrence also is a freelance drummer, playing with numerous groups throughout the area. Lawrence is a 1993 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of West Florida and a Masters in Education, with an emphasis in music, from Florida A & M University. 

Lawrence is very passionate about music education for young people and maintains a profound love of this community. Lawrence’s professional affiliations are Florida School Music Association, National Association for Music Education – NAfME. Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, and Phi Beta Mu (International Bandmaster Fraternity)

Steve Gilmore was born in 1943 in Trenton, NJ and at age 12 began playing the double bass and during his teenage years he was playing with jazz groups in the Philadelphia area. At age 17 he enrolled at the Advanced School of Contemporary Music, run by Oscar Peterson. In the 1960s he played with Ira Sullivan and the Baker’s Dozen Big Band. Over the past 70+ years he has performed in over 100 albums, appearing with jazz artists like Phil Woods,Tony Bennett, the National Jazz Ensemble and a who’s who of internally known musicians.

Steve and Shirley Gilmore moved to her hometown, Panama City in 2007 and he quickly became part of a fledgling group of local Jazz Musicians who had started the Gulf Jazz Society in 1996. Steve was able to contact many jazz artists he knew and get them to come spend some time and play at the monthly events GJS was presenting. Steve now serves as Artistic Director of the Gulf Jazz Society.

Doors open at the Shrimp Boat at5pm, music starts at 6:30p. Get there early to get a good seat for the sunset view and dinner with your favorite beverages. Attendance fee is $10.00 for members of the Gulf Jazz Society, and $15 for non-memberships. Membership applications will be available.