Carline Ray

Carline Ray (April 21, 1925 – July 18, 2013) was a jazz instrumentalist and vocalist. She was a member of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.

Early life and education Carline Ray was born in Manhattan on April 21, 1925. Her father was Elisha Ray, a horn player.

She entered Juilliard at age 16, graduating in 1946 after studying piano and composition. She earned a master's degree in voice from the Manhattan School of Music in 1956. After the Sweethearts disbanded, Ray played guitar and sang for Erskine Hawkins and later performed in a trio with fellow former Sweetheart Pauline Braddy. In 1997, Ray formed the group Jazzberry Jam with pianist Bertha Hope and percussionist Paula Hampton.

She appears in the 2011 documentary film The Girls in the Band.

Personal life Ray married Luis Russell in 1956. Their daughter Catherine Russell is a jazz singer. A Catholic, she was buried in November 2013 after a funeral service at St Peter's Catholic Church in Manhattan.

Awards Co-recipient of the first International Women In Jazz Lifetime Achievement Award, "A Living Legend" (1996)