Ray Sharp, a composer and musician, began his career while little more than a child. By the age of 13 he had composed dozens of songs and began developing his stylistic technique. During college Sharp supported himself by playing live throughout the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex and it was at the Sundance Market and Deli that he was discovered by the critically acclaimed improv comedy troupe Four Day Weekend where he is currently the musical director.

Ray Sharp?s second album, ?Eros?, features ambient/down-tempo electronic music. The sound has a distinct quality caused by the layering of piano solos over the rhythmic beat. Sharp?s CD is a testimony to his skills as a writer, and a performer, in that each song tells a story and compliments the others yet still holds its own individuality. The erotic quality of the songs is invoked through the blending of instrumentals and highlighted by the overlaying of piano solos.

Biography

Ray Sharp began playing the piano at 12. By the age of 13 he had composed dozens of contemporary and classical piano solos. In high school he wrote and directed two wind symphony performances and began performing at restaurants throughout the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex. After high school Sharp attended the University of Texas at Arlington to refine his musical talents by studying theory.

While in college Sharp supported himself by performing solo piano in churches, restaurants, hotels, and art museums. In 2001, while playing at the Sundance Market and Deli he was noticed by the critically acclaimed improvisational comedy troupe Four Day Weekend and was asked to be a guest musician. After six months as a guest Sharp became the musical director for the troupe and now performs for sold out audiences every weekend alongside the comedians. As the musical director, Sharp not only improvises and performs live he also writes all of the music for the shows. Four Day Weekend has traveled across the United States as well as internationally for clients that include Nokia, Microsoft, Dr. Pepper as well as many other Fortune 500 companies. The group also does private appearances and benefit shows; such as recently performing for the troops stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas.

His compositional style covers a variety of genres from comedic to classical to rock and now expands into electronic. Due to his musical versatility he has been commissioned to write the music for two comedy revues which were performed in an off-Broadway theater in New York, two national commercials, themes for television pilots, short films, and video games.

In 2003 he released his inaugral album, Exaudio, a collection of solo piano pieces that Sharp composed and performed. This album is widely enjoyed as the perfect compliment for a relaxing evening with a glass of wine and has been enjoying steady sales. Exaudio was positively reviewed in Solo Piano Publications by Kathy Parsons upon it’s release. In 2006 Sharp’s second album Eros, which features piano solos over electronica ambient/downtempo beats. The new album has been hailed as “. . . a unique mixture of sound and emotion with a fresh approach to a classic instrument” by Megan Magana of The Shorthorn. Currently Sharp is promoting Eros by doing guest spots on the radio and newspaper interviews.