
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 still 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)
Golden Gate Park West Fest 2009

Avalon Ballroom San Francisco with It's A Beautiful Day
Sausalito Art & Wine with It's A Beautiful Day
Triple Door Seattle with It's A Beautiful Day
Playing the Upright :-)
The Bottom Line Bass Group Online group of Bassist for the discussion of Bass and related subjects