Ray Barbee - Jazzy Guitar Player and Skateboarder by Elise Baker
Ray Barbee is an American skateboarder from San Jose, California. Along with Ron Allen and Steve Steadham, he is one of the first famous African-American skaters. He started skateboarding in the 7th Grade and hasn't put down the skateboard since.
At the tender age of 17-years, he was already a seasoned professional with a Kickflip over the pyramid at the Huntington Beach skate park, Frontside Railslide and Nollie Varial Kickflip at the same location under his belt. He has had memorable video parts in the Powell Peralta videos "Public Domain" and "Ban This". In the late '80s and '90s he was a leading pioneer of the complex ollie combination tricks and the almost non-existent "no comply".
Ray Barbee is featured in the awesome 1st Step Skateboard DVD that demonstrates basic tricks for beginners and intermediates hosted by Dave Metty. He's Lance Mountain's good friend and teammate so he was an invited guest at a Lance Mountain Art Show and mini ramp demo at the grand opening of Costa Mesa Active Ride Shop. Ray is sponsored by Venture, Powell Peralta, among others.
Not only did he perform for the crowd on his skateboard but he also played two sets of his original and jazzy guitar music. His other hobby or interest is playing guitar in a band. Ray Barbee makes music like he rides his skateboard: he finds his groove and gets all improv and jazzy.
Ray Barbee's new album, "In Full View", under the Galaxia label was released for sale in 2005. Its uplifting, jazz-influenced instrumental tracks pick up from where he left off on the well-received EP, "Triumphant Procession". All the tracks were written and played by Barbee, except for a few notables: drummer Doug Scharin (him, June Of 44, Mice Parade) plays on three tracks and Carlos de la Garza (Reel Big Fish) sits behind the kit on a track as well.
The CD includes two videos: "Afroca," directed by skateboard photographer and director Jon Humphries; and "Taking Liberties," which features footage from a Japanese tour directed by Hero Studios.
Ray Barbee is no ordinary skateboarder, he already has a signature shoe that is put out by Vans, a Southern California based manufacturer of sneakers, skate shoes and skateboarding accessories. Should skateboarding become an Olympic sport at the 2008 Olympics, Ray Barbee could be a fierce competitor on the U.S. team. That is, if he’s not too busy with his guitar – on June 3rd he made a special musical performance at Froden Gallery, 11614 West Pico Blvd, in West LA.
Video by Douglas Lee
Video of Ray Barbee’s Kickflip over the pyramid – Huntington Beach Skate Park. (160K Quicktime)
Ray Barbee - Jazzy Guitar Player and Skateboarder
Ray Barbee's new album, "In Full View", under the Galaxia label was released for sale in 2005. Its uplifting, jazz-influenced instrumental tracks pick up from where he left off on the well-received EP, "Triumphant Procession". All the tracks were written and played by Barbee, except for a few notables: drummer Doug Scharin (him, June Of 44, Mice Parade) plays on three tracks and Carlos de la Garza (Reel Big Fish) sits behind the kit on a track as well. 