From Chicago’s jazz clubs to "Ray Templin’s Bar" on NBC’s Matlock, Ray Templin’s career has covered just about all aspects of the entertainment industry.
Templin has gained acclaim as a propulsive, swinging stride pianist and vocalist. Credits include playing and recording with many noted artists such as Ed Polcer, Molly Ringwald, Steve Allen, Banu Gibson, Blues legend Brownie McGhee, Howard Alden, Zeke Zarchy, Dick Cary, Bob Havens, Jeff Barnhart, Dan Barrett and Bob Schulz. Having performed in a variety of venues, from pizza parlors, dinner theaters and cabarets to the country’s largest jazz festivals, Templin has proven to be quite a versatile entertainer. His acting and voice-over talent has also led him to the world of television and commercials. A three-year stint as the piano playing proprietor of "Ray Templin’s Bar" on Matlock also afforded Ray composing credits on the show.
As well as putting in 26 years at Disneyland as an entertainment fixture, Templin is also a founder of several bands including the park’s Swing Soufflé, and the Chicagoans, a seven-piece Dixieland group. The high caliber of musicianship from each of the members, together with Templin’s ebullient personality has made Ray Templin’s Chicagoans a hit with fans of Dixieland jazz. Performances have included major jazz festivals, concerts, cruises and Ray’s critically acclaimed theatrical production, "Jam "38". He has also played and/or recorded with The Great Pacific Jazz Band, Bob Schulz's Frisco Jazz Band, The Independence Hall Jazz Band, The St. Louis Rivermen, The Buck Creek Jazz Band, The Dixie Kings, Side Street Strutters, New Orleans Hot Jazz, The Riverboat Ramblers, The Jazz Minors, Banjomania, Bryan Shaw's Hot Shots, Palm Springs Yacht Club, Pieter Meijers' Quartet, you get the idea.
Recently relocated to Tucson, Arizona, Ray continues to delight audiences in these venues and is proud to have joined the Original Wildcat Jass Band - featuring UofA world class instrumentalists - on piano and percussion. Ray also appears in a duo with banjoist Rob Wright as R&R-Rhythm&Rhyme with Ray&Rob.