Ray Bonneville

Artist’s Website

Known for his funky visceral grooves and rich story songs, the Canadian-born artist stretches himself into new territory with gritty production and raw Americana instrumentation. His new album, ‘Goin By Feel,’ is one that is sure to solidify Ray’s place as one of today’s truly innovative roots musicians.

Although he has toured all over the world, sharing the bill with such luminaries as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, J.J. Cale and Robert Cray, Ray Bonneville became known in the U.S. a few years ago, when he released Roll It Down, his first CD on a U.S. label. Although the traveling musician has spent time in many places, including Colorado, Boston, Alaska, Montreal, Seattle and Paris, France, it is New Orleans, where he lived for half a decade, that Ray cites as the city most influential to his unique musical style. Bonneville says, “New Orleans is where I learned to take my time, to allow space between the notes so the songs could truly groove.” That groove is certainly present in “I Am the Big Easy” with Ray’s funky syncopated sound mixing with Eliza Gilkyson’s earthy harmony vocals. This song, like all on Goin’ By Feel, is an example of what is best about Ray Bonneville—his ability to combine infectious bluesy sound with tough, poetic storytelling.