Robert Cray Band

Five-time Grammy-winner Cray started playing guitar in his early teens. At Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virginia, his love of blues and soul music flourished as he started collecting records. Originally, he wanted to become an architect, but around the same time he began to study architectural design, he formed a local band "Steakface", described as "the best band from Lakewood you never heard of". Cray's guitar and vocals contributed greatly to Steakface's set list of songs by Jimi Hendrix, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Fleetwood Mac, Joe Cocker's Grease Band, Jethro Tull, Spirit, and The Faces.

By the age of 20, Cray had seen his heroes Albert Collins, Freddie King and Muddy Waters in concert and decided to form his own band; they began playing college towns on the West Coast. After several years of regional success, Cray was signed to Mercury Records in 1982. His third album release, Strong Persuader, produced by Dennis Walker, received a Grammy Award, while the album's crossover single "Smokin' Gun" earned him wider appeal and name recognition.

By now, Cray was an opening act for such major stars as Eric Clapton (who remains a friend to this day), and selling out larger venues as a solo artist. Cray plays Fender guitars (Telecasters and Stratocasters) and there are currently two signature Robert Cray Stratocasters models available from Fender. Cray had the opportunity to play alongside legendary Bluesman John Lee Hooker on his album Boom Boom, playing the guitar solo in the song "Same Old Blues Again," and is also featured on the Hooker album, The Healer, soloing on Baby Lee.

Cray was invited to play at the "Guitar Legends" concerts in Seville, Spain at the 1992 Expo, where he played a signature track, "Phone Booth". with his hero guitarist Albert Collins who was also on the bill that night at the "Legends" gig.

Cray continues to record and tour worldwide. He appeared at the Crossroads Guitar Festival, and toured with Eric Clapton on his 2006-2007 world tour, and in Fargo, North Dakota, joined Clapton on backup guitar for the Cream Classic "Crossroads".

In the film Animal House, Cray appears as the uncredited bassist in the house party band Otis Day and the Knights, and also had a small role as himself in 2002's Blood Feast 2: All U Can Eat. After a SOLD OUT tour of the UK in June and July 2010, the Robert Cray band makes its Syracuse Jazz Fest debut on Friday, June 24th, when he and the RCB close out the 29th Annual festival at 9:30 pm.