Ray DeSylvester’s Blue Smoke

Ray DeSylvester’s first performance playing harmonica on stage was sitting in with Jimmy Rogers and Pinetop Perkins at Lilly’s in Chicago in 1985. This experience inspired him  to study the Blues and hone his harmonica skills through the years.

In January 2020 Ray received the honor of being inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame.

Ray has been fortunate to play Beale Street in Memphis competing in the International Blues Competition, in the Monterrey Blues Fest, at the legendary Terra Blues in Manhattan, the French Quarter in New Orleans, PBS Blues Blast, Superstition Fest, Pecan Wine Fest, OTCA Fest, Harmonica Fest, and Walkin’ On Main in Old Town Cottonwood.

In 2017 he represented NAZBA at the IBC in Memphis and also was a 3x finalist in the Phoenix Blues Society International Blue Competition showdown. He was awarded best traditional Blues Act in 1999 by PBS. Also known as Sweet Baby Ray, he plays with various bands and fronts his band, Blue Smoke.

Ray strives to keeps Blues  alive as he weaves throughout audiences with his harmonica magic!