Ray Irving Sherman

Ray Sherman

April 15, 1923 - September 16, 2022

Ray Sherman passed away after a full life of 99 years. Ray was a professional pianist, composer and arranger, in addition to being a beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Ray was born in Chicago on April 15, 1923, to a pair of professional violinists, Maurie Sherman, a well known band leader of the ‘20s and ‘30s, and Rose Vitto Sherman, who achieved much success as a featured violinist at the Sherman (no relation) Hotel in Chicago.

Ray began piano lessons at age 4 and in 1939 the Sherman family moved to the Los Angeles area of California where Ray began his professional career, at age 16, playing with local dance bands. Ray was drafted into the Army in 1943, and served in the Army 211th CAAA Band, stationed in Vallejo, CA.

After being discharged in 1946, Ray returned to work as pianist in LA area clubs, and in 1948 he began his 50+ year career in recording, television and motion picture work. Highlights of Ray’s career include: Working on the 1954 movie "Pete Kelly's Blues", both on camera and on the soundtrack, as a member of the group Pete Kelly's Big Seven; Appearing on the 1955 daily live TV show hosted by band leader Bob Crosby; Working with Benny Goodman and Bob Crosby at Disneyland in the 1960’s.

From the late ’50s to the late ’70s Ray devoted his time almost exclusively to freelance work on records, motion picture soundtracks, and television, both live and film. Some of the band leaders he worked under were Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, and Johnny Green. Among the many films he has worked on are "West Side Story", "Li'l Abner", "Bye, Bye Birdie" and "The Days of Wine and Roses". Some of Ray's television work included "Jerry Lewis Live", "The Hollywood Palace", "Emergency", "Adam 12", "Route 66", and "Happy Days".

One of the high points of Ray's career was the series of 42 LPs called "The Swing Era", issued by Time-Life Records, on which Ray was the featured pianist. The high point of Ray's composing career was a well received "Theme, Variations and Fugue" performed by the Los Angeles Neophonic Orchestra under the direction of Stan Kenton in 1968. Ray was also pianist with the Neophonic Orchestra.

In the eighties Ray re-entered the live jazz field, appearing frequently with the Bob Crosby and the Bobcats Orchestra, Jack Sheldon's Hollywood Heroes, and other groups, such as those fronted by Abe Most, Dick Cathcart, and Dick Cary. He also performed with Pete Fountain on "The Tonight Show" and with Henry Mancini at the Hollywood Bowl. In 1989 Ray was designated “Jazzman of the Year” by the Los Angeles Jazz Forum During the eighties Ray also became interested in writing non-fiction and poetry. His work has been published in The Humanist and Orion magazines and the British publication Jazz Journal. Many of Ray’s recordings can now be found on YouTube. Visit Ray’s website raysherman.net for more information and links to his music and writings.

Ray and his wife Jeanne were married for 70 years until her death in 2018. They are survived by three daughters, Susan (Gordon) Youngs, Nancy (David) Estrada, and Wendy Sherman (James Scott), two granddaughters, two grandsons, and five great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Ray will rest in peace together with his wife, Jeanne, who passed away on April 6, 2018,  at the Riverside National Cemetery, located at 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518.