Biography
Ray Goren, recognized worldwide for the intensity of his concert appearances, works as a guitarist, recording artist, and bandleader in rock and blues. As a child prodigy he appeared alongside B.B. King, Leon Russell, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, and Alice Cooper.
Born in New York City, Goren started piano at three. By five he had grown serious about the instrument, drawn especially to jazz; his father supplied CDs and a boom box, allowing the youngster to absorb hours of Thelonious Monk, Oscar Peterson, Milt Jackson, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis.
At seven, after his family moved to California, Goren shifted to guitar. Searching online for jazz musician J.J. Johnson, he entered “B.B.” by mistake and landed on footage of B.B. King joining Albert Collins, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, and Eric Clapton for “Sweet Little Angel.” The performance redirected his path; soon he was exploring Albert King, Luther Allison, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Otis Rush.
Beyond jazz and blues, Goren embraces R&B from Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo, and Donny Hathaway through Prince and Amy Winehouse.
At nine he attended a Los Angeles performance by organist Deacon Jones and his group, leading to an introduction. Six months afterward Goren made his recording debut on Jones’ album The Day the Blues Stood Still.
In 2011 he led his first band, which included Jones, drummer Tony Braunagel, bassist Bob Glaub, and guitar instructor Jon Sosin. The engagement expanded his reputation, opening doors to guest appearances with visiting artists across L.A.
During a July 2012 visit to Bell’s, the South Central Los Angeles blues juke-joint, Goren encountered 78-year-old Jamie “Bluesboy” Powell and 68-year-old “Harmonica” Sammy Lee. Their instant rapport produced the Generation Blues Experience. The trio released Private Angel and Live at Lucy's 51 in 2012, performed at the Doheny Blues Festival that year, and appeared at the Chicago Blues Festival in 2013.
Goren’s first collection of original material, the Eddie Kramer–produced The LA Sessions EP, arrived in 2014; the Save My Soul EP followed later that year. Its title track became a single in 2016.
Born in New York City, Goren started piano at three. By five he had grown serious about the instrument, drawn especially to jazz; his father supplied CDs and a boom box, allowing the youngster to absorb hours of Thelonious Monk, Oscar Peterson, Milt Jackson, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis.
At seven, after his family moved to California, Goren shifted to guitar. Searching online for jazz musician J.J. Johnson, he entered “B.B.” by mistake and landed on footage of B.B. King joining Albert Collins, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, and Eric Clapton for “Sweet Little Angel.” The performance redirected his path; soon he was exploring Albert King, Luther Allison, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Otis Rush.
Beyond jazz and blues, Goren embraces R&B from Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo, and Donny Hathaway through Prince and Amy Winehouse.
At nine he attended a Los Angeles performance by organist Deacon Jones and his group, leading to an introduction. Six months afterward Goren made his recording debut on Jones’ album The Day the Blues Stood Still.
In 2011 he led his first band, which included Jones, drummer Tony Braunagel, bassist Bob Glaub, and guitar instructor Jon Sosin. The engagement expanded his reputation, opening doors to guest appearances with visiting artists across L.A.
During a July 2012 visit to Bell’s, the South Central Los Angeles blues juke-joint, Goren encountered 78-year-old Jamie “Bluesboy” Powell and 68-year-old “Harmonica” Sammy Lee. Their instant rapport produced the Generation Blues Experience. The trio released Private Angel and Live at Lucy's 51 in 2012, performed at the Doheny Blues Festival that year, and appeared at the Chicago Blues Festival in 2013.
Goren’s first collection of original material, the Eddie Kramer–produced The LA Sessions EP, arrived in 2014; the Save My Soul EP followed later that year. Its title track became a single in 2016.
Albums
Singles
