Bassist Larry Gray's impressive skills and uncommon versatility are aptly displayed on Appassionata by the Ramsey Lewis Trio released in the fall of 1999 by the Milwaukee, WI-based Narada Jazz label. One of Chicago's leading musicians, Gray was the house bassist for the city's premier jazz room, the Jazz Showcase. He has shared the stage with such jazz legends as Clark Terry, Joe Henderson, and Bobby Hutcherson, among others. Gray has performed at jazz festivals and clubs all over the world: The Umbria Jazz Festival, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Montreaux Detroit Festival, and the Chicago Jazz Festival. Gray has studied drums, guitar, flute, guitar, and piano while earning bachelor's and master's degrees in violoncello performance. Listen to "Nessun Dorma," a duet between Lewis' lush, romantic trills and the melancholy bow strokes of Gray on Appassionata. The musician has performed as a solo recitalist at various universities such as Northern Illinois University, Roosevelt University, and DePaul University where he is a member of the esteemed jazz faculty. Gray's versatility has lead to him being on the A-list of first-call session players, with track dates with a wide range of artists: former Styx member Dennis DeYoung, Willie Pickens, Buddy Childers, and Ira Sullivan, among others. ~ Ed Hogan