Ray's Music Exchange

Ray’s Music Exchange is a pillar of the Cincinnati, Ohio improvisational music scene, celebrated for high-energy chemistry and sophisticated musicianship. Born in 1996—drawing talent from the prestigious UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)—the band spent nearly a decade touring the US, sharing stages with musical heroes, and dropping five independent albums during the late-’90s jam-band renaissance. While their moniker nods to The Blues Brothers, the name symbolizes something more cosmic: the visceral, bi-directional energy between the improvisers on stage and a packed dance floor. Their sound blends the electric fusion of Miles Davis and Frank Zappa with the infectious, pocket-driven groove of The Meters. Driven by an energetic, blazing horn section, their adventurous instrumental style navigates complex jazz fusion and open-ended jam textures. The latest album, recorded live at Cincinnati's historic Woodward Theater, A Live Family Rayunion 2025 showcases timeless, challenging originals by founding member Paul Hogan, alongside a younger vanguard of improvisers, including members from Afrobeat/dance stalwarts Ernie Johnson From Detroit The core local lineup—Brad Myers(guitar), Michael Mavridoglou (trumpet/keyboards), Nick Blasky (bass), Jason Smart (drums), and Matthew Hawkins (percussion)—continues to push boundaries. They stand as proof that the sophisticated, genre-blurring chemistry of jazz-fusion and progressive funk is not just alive, but thriving.