Toby Gray

Bassist & Producer for David LaFlamme's It's A Beautiful Day since 1980.
Vocalist, Bassist, Recording and Sound Engineer.
Studied the upright bass and performed with the Butler University and Springfield Symphonies during his college years and during this time, was fortunate to work with nationally known musicians such as jazz guitar legend Howard Roberts, Jamaica's Larry McDonald (Taj Mahal, Gil Scott-Heron, Skatalites), Baron John Von Ohlen (Stan Kenton), Bill Barnwell and the International Jazz Society, and pianist Victor Borge.
Relocating to Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles to work and tour with Alan - A Tribute to Elvis & the Dick Clark organization and getting to work with producer Larry Klein (Johnny Carson,& Joni Mitchell) in the 1970’s before moving to the San Francisco Bay area where he accepted the position of bassist for David LaFlamme's It's A Beautiful Day in 1980. Today, Toby plays bass, harmonica, sings, composes, and is one of the technical advisors for the ensemble.

Toby currently lives in Santa Cruz California where he manages and performs with the Road Hogs, on call with the Santa Cruz Jazz Society, is involved with the acoustic/electronics industry, teaches bass, and operates a recording studio and Event Services sound and back line company. He has composed a wide variety of songs and recorded a piano and environmental music CD entitled Pacific Waves and just released Ascension using traditional Eastern and modern instruments for a beautiful blend of meditation music. Link to Toby's Santa Cruz based musical projects. Other notables performed with are: Lee Oscar, Barry "Fish" Melton, and Jerry Miller. See CD listing below.

Fan's Comments:
<snip> For me, the highlight of the concert was a performance of Bombay Calling in which Toby Gray and David LaFlamme had very memorable solos. My second favorite piece was their performance of Santa Cruz (composed by David and Toby). Again, very nice instrumental work. <snip>
Bennett Scharf

Be sure and tell Toby to keep up the good work... he is too much, I had almost forgotten what a real rock bass player should look and sound like, now that really took me back, thanks Toby!
Jeff, Denver

Recording Projects - Credits (Click on images for more info)