Ray Gelato

Ray Keith Irwin(born 25 October 1961),known professionally by his stage nameRay Gelato, is a Britishjazz,swingandjump bluessaxophonist, singer and bandleader.He is known as one of the major forces in therevival of swing music.Gelato has performed in a private capacity forRichard Branson,Paul McCartneyandElizabeth IIamongst others.
AllMusicnoted that "Gelato has been hugely successful, finding a niche and retaining his dominance in it through hard work, good musicianship and a flair for showmanship".Jools Hollandmeanwhile opined that "He plays what he means, and means what he plays".
Gelato is ofJewishancestry, and was born in London, England, the son of a Jewish mother and an American soldier who was stationed in the UK. Through his father's record collection, Gelato heard the music of the swing bands of the 1940s, and the R&B and rock and roll prevalent in the 1950s. Music provided byLouis JordanandLouis Primaproved inspirational, a love nurtured in his teens when Gelato visited local clubs to hear music played live.  His admiration for the playing ofSam Buteraled Gelato to commence learning to play thetenor saxophoneat the age of 19, and he was sufficiently competent to begin playing semi-professionally the following year.By 1982, Gelato had teamed up with the French guitarist Patrice Serapiglia, and their small band became known as the Chevalier Brothers.  Gelato gained his stage name around this time and, following success at a talent show held in London'sCamden Palace, they appeared around the UK, and toured Europe and Japan playing their stylised swing revival music.The group played at theMontreux Jazz Festival, and theNorth Sea Jazz Festival, but by 1988 had disintegrated.Briefly working solo, Gelato then played and sang in the British filmScandal(1989), before forming Ray Gelato and the Giants of Jive.They played atCarnegie Hall, which was filmed in 1992 for Italian television.  The group also recordedGelato Express(1993), although they disbanded the following year.
In 1994, Gelato sang on the soundtrack for theBBC TelevisiondramaNo Bananas,whilst forming a new outfit, the Ray Gelato Giants. They steered a more traditional course, with a repertoire incorporating the music ofNat King Cole,Duke Ellington,Dean Martin, andFrank Sinatra. They performed successfully at venues including theUmbria Jazz Festivalin Italy,theMontreal Jazz Festival,San Sebastian Jazz Festival, and toured both Italy and the United States.Their popularity in Italy saw them appear onMaurizio Costanzo's television programme, and also play atRonnie Scott's Jazz Club, and the100 Clubwhen back in London.In 1998, their music for a worldwide television commercial forLevi'smeant a wide exposure for their version of "Tu Vuò Fà L'Americano", which appeared on both the albumsThe Men from Uncle(1998), andLive in Italy(2000). In addition, Gelato played the saxophone in his cameo role in the filmEnigma(2001).
In 2002, they played atPaul McCartney's wedding toHeather Mills.In a busy year they also performed forQueen Elizabeth IIatThe Ritz Hotel, London, and played at the home ofRichard Branson.
Gelato signed a new recording contract in 2004 and releasedRay Gelatothe same year.  He also appeared onThis Morning, singing his self-penned number "A Pizza You". Gelato also appeared at the 2004Proms in the Parkconcert, alongsideThe Corrsand theBBC Symphony Orchestra, and later performed "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" onBBC One'sStrictly Dance Fever. His self-penned number "Givin' Up Givin' Up" was incorporated into the soundtrack for the 2005 filmThe Perfect Man.In 2006, the band took part in one of their largest UK theatre tours to that point.
The band were the opening act in 2011 forRobbie Williamsand hisSwing When You're Winningconcert at London'sRoyal Albert Hall, and performed atBryan Adams' birthday party the same year.In 2015, Gelato releasedWonderful, a collection of Italian songs, with Gelato singing mostly in Italian. It received four stars in a review byThe Daily Telegraph.
FollowingGeorge Melly's long-standing residency, Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club's Christmas seasonal slot was occupied in 2015 by Ray Gelato and the Giants.In 2016, Gelato andClaire Martinappeared at the Ribble Valley Jazz Festival,promoting their joint album,We've Got a World That Swings, which was released byLinn Records.