Click on picture photograph of Bernard Wray to view his journeys and mission
© 2006 OrinAyo Productions Charmaine Rudder
BIOGRAPHY OF PERFORMANCES MATHEW BERNARD WRAY ADDRESS: 2767 26th Avenue, Oakland CA 94601 BIRTHPLACE: Washington, D.C. EDUCATION: 1967 – 1969 Washington Technical Institute, Washington, D.C. A.A. Media Technology 1969 – 1970 DuArt Film Laboratories, New York City, NY. INSTRUMENTS: PERCUSSION Africa Gambia – Coutero Ghana – Brekete, Donno, Gome, Gonkoghi, Guinea – Djembe, Songbat, Kinkinni, Djun-Djun, Lala, Krin Nigeria – Asheiko, Dundun, Shekere Senegal – Sabar Brazil Agogo, Atabaque de Samba, Atabaque/Candomble , Beriumbau, Pandero, Samba, Surdo, Contra Sudro,Tambourim Cuba Bata, Bongo, Bombo, Cajon, Campanas, Conga, Guiro, Jicamo De Palo, Shekere Dominican Republic Tamboura PERFORMANCES: PERCUSSION Emese M O.T.A.D. (Messengers of the African Diaspora) Owner San Francisco, Bay Area, CA 2002 to present Tito Garcia y Su Orchestra Internacional. The Cocomo in San Francisco Montero’s in Albany San Francisco, Bay Area, CA. 2000 to present Emese Genentech TGI Fridays Corporate office, South San Francisco, CA November 2005 Presentation on Orisa and the musical elements of Yoruba worship demonstrated in drums, dance and song as well as a Congo secular performance. Visa - Corporate Diversity Committee for Black History Month. Corporate office, San Mateo, CA 2005 Presentation on Orisa and the musical elements of Yoruba worship demonstrated in drums, dance and song. Kwanzaa Celebration, Alice Arts Center Oakland, CA. 2004 Smithsonian Institution (MSC). Washington, D.C. 2004 Traditional ceremonial salute to the Yoruba and Hausa Drums and to Egungun (ancestors) of the Thieme Collection. Traditional participant. Babatunde and Zum Bruthaz San Francisco, Bay Area, CA 1998 to 2004 Emese commissioned by the Kramer Foundation. San Francisco, CA 2003 Presentations to 2 schools in the San Francisco school district on Orisa and the musical elements of Yoruba worship demonstrated in drums, dance and song. Ethnic Dance Festival. Performance under Emese. San Francisco, CA 2002 Ethnic Dance Festival. Performance under Obakoso. San Francisco, CA 2001 Oba K’Oso (member) Yerba Buena Arts Festival (Opening of Yerba Buena Gardens). Presentation on Orisa and the musical elements of Yoruba worship demonstrated in drums, dance and song. Oakland, CA 2001 Oba K’Oso (member) Presentation on Orisa and the musical elements of Yoruba worship demonstrated in drums, dance and song. Oakland, CA 1999 to 2001 Freezer Burn (World Beat/Jazz) Played various percussion and recorded Seattle, WA 1999 Bobi Cespedes and Siguaralla – Afro-Cuban Folkloric Ensemble performance in Seattle, Washington. Oakland, CA 1998 Global Village (World Beat) Seattle, WA 1993 Lazaro Ros – Afri-Cuban folkloric master Seattle, WA 1993 African Cuban Drum Ensemble (Benjamin Franklin High School) Seattle WA. 1992 Northwest Folklife Festival Seattle, WA. 1992 & 1991 Sonando (Latin Jazz) Seattle, WA 1992 Jazz Police (Big Band) Seattle, WA 1992 Latin Expression Orchestra (Salsa) Seattle, WA 1992 Olu Meji Seattle, WA 1992 Presentation on Orisa and the Cuban cultural experience Rumors of the Big Wave (Pop) Seattle, WA 1991 Abdoulaye and Jewelle – Senegalese Percussion Performances Seattle, WA 1990 to 1992 Luis Enrique Godoy (Contemporary Cuban) Seattle, WA 1990 First Congregational Episcopal Church Seattle, WA 1990 Played the first African Mass where a drum procession entered the church. Bochinche (Salsa) Seattle, WA 1989 to 1991 Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble at Duke University and The African American Dance Ensemble, Durham, NC 1989 to 1990 (Jali) Djimo Kouyate (Griot) (Mandinka) Washington, D.C. 1989 The Keith Killgo Group (Jazz) Washington, D.C. 1988 to 1989 Casa Blanca (Salsa) Washington, D.C. 1988 Cosan West African Dance Troupe Washington, D.C. 1988 Carmen Miranda Escola De Samba Washington, D.C. 1987 to 1989 Smithsonian International Festival of Folk Life (Kubanakan Afro-Cuban folkloric) Washington, D.C. 1987 Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers (Go-Go R&B)) Washington, D.C. 1987 Billy Stewart (Rhythm &Blues) Washington, D.C. 1987 Pellegro (Salsa) Washington, D.C. 1987 Machu Pichu (Salsa) Washington, D.C. 1986 Yacoub and Oboe Addy and Ablade (Traditional music of Ghana and the Ga people) Seattle, WA and Washington, D.C. 1985 Maria Rodriguez y Sus Magnificos (Salsa) Washington, D.C. 1984 to 1989 Beja Flor (Contemporary Brazilian & Samba} Seattle, WA 1984 Chebere (Salsa) Seattle, WA 1983 to 1984 Roberto Borell and Kubata (Afro-Cuban folkloric) Washington, D.C. 1981 Caesar’s Club All Stars (Salsa) San Francisco, CA 1977 Zak Diouf and Djamano Koura (Senegalese folklore) Oakland, CA 1976 to 1977 Norman Whitfield and The Undisputed Truth Pick up Band Seattle, WA 1974 Freddie Hubbard Pick up Band (Jazz) Seattle, WA 1973 and 1974 George Benson Pick up Band (Jazz) Seattle, WA 1973 TEACHING EXPERIENCE: Vallejo Public Schools Vallejo, CA 2003 San Francisco School of the Arts San Francisco, CA 2002 to 2004 Benjamin Franklin High School Seattle, WA 1993 to 1994 Middle College High School Seattle, WA 1992 to 1993 John’s Music Seattle, WA 1991 to 1993 Private Instruction: Elementary school Seattle, WA 1984 Teach and organize a Samba Battery of elementary school students CONSECRATED DRUMS PLAYED (Owners): O’Tobaji Stewart (Iwori Giwowo) Fernando Leobon (Macho) Francisco Aguabella (Omi Wa Ile) Alfredo Calvo Alfredo Coyude (Ayan Ire Aye) Gerald Giraud (Ayan Ase N’ire) Pedro De Jesus (Oba Yoro Oro Eleri Oba) TEACHERS: Brazil Fernando Leobons (Rio) Macapa (Rio) Ogelon (Rio) Zero (Bahia) Cuba Augustine Calvo (Matanza) Alfredo Coyude (Havana) Carlos Aldama Havana) Francisco Rigores (Matanza) Mario Espinosa (Pena del Rio) Roberto Borell (Havana) Sandy Perez (Mantanza) Dominican Republic Tito Rodriguez Gambia Djimo Koyoute Ghana Yacoub and Oboe Addy (Ga Tradition) Senegal Abdou Kounta Assane Conte Zak Diouf USA Eric Gravatt (Mentor) O’Tobaji Stewart (Bata) Gerald Giraud (Bata) Marcus Gordon (Bata) David Frazier (Bata) Carol Joiner (Hand Drums) Alfredo Mojica Sr. (Salsa Band) Maria Rodriguez (Salsa Band)