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Our Review

Here are some fine arrangements, beautifully played. Jerry Ray's The Keys to Christmas exudes a sort of richness I don't always hear on piano recordings. He is an artist who takes his time, making sure to achieve the full measure of each note before moving on to the next.

The CD runs less than 30 minutes but it feels much longer because it is so easy to get lost savoring his arrangements, just as he seemed to savor creating them. Beginning with a playful arrangement of We Wish You A Merry Christmas (a brief song which reminded me of carolers appearing at the door, singing "We wish you a merry Christmas..." and then moving on to the next house), he guides the listener through eleven sentimental renderings of sacred carols (with the exception of Deck The Halls).

His love of Christmas is obvious in his spirited play. Only a lonely grinch could be unmoved by The Keys to Christmas.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2004)

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From the liner notes:

All selections arranged, performed and produced by Jerry Ray.

Music has always played a big role in my life. Early piano lessons, public school choir and band programs plus playing piano on Sunday after Sunday at more churches than I can remember. I loved music so much, that after high school, I gave up the notion of becoming a doctor and went off to college to major in music education. I wanted to teach high school music. I wanted to give back to other young musicians some of the fun, camaraderie and academic stimulus a school music program provides. But show business called and I was off to Los Angeles. I arrived with the self-appointed titles of composer, arranger, conductor and producer, along with a piano tucked under my arm. Wow! Those were the days. Now after more years than I'll ever admit to, plus pounds and pounds of music score paper, millions of notes, tons of arrangements, lots of jingles, a plethora of publishing projects, network television, albums and CD recording projects, live concerts, road trips, editing and producing comes the chance to do my first ever solo piano album. Not just any solo recording -- but a Christmas one It's my favorite time of year, and some of my most favorite music comes from the Christmas traditions. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed making this project come to life. After all, Christmas is all about warm friendships, great music and the thoughts of the entire world all focused on love, and on peace, and on goodwill. Wow! That's pretty powerful stuff... it's the very stuff that makes up The Keys to Christmas.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Jerry Ray

Jerry Ray

The Keys to Christmas

Artist link

Track List