Ray Fuller & Friends: Celebrating Our History Through Music at San Gabriel Mission Playhouse

In honor of Black History Month, enjoy a night of jazz, soul, pop and gospel as guitarist, composer, music director and producer, A. Ray Fuller takes the stage Saturday evening, February 3rd at 8:00pm at the Mission Playhouse.

A Chicago native, Fuller started playing the guitar at the age of 7. In his 40 year career, he has worked with artists and producers including Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, Natalie Cole, George Duke, Boney James, Branford Marsalis, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Quincy Jones, David Foster, and Berry Gordy. Fuller can be heard on the soundtracks of The Bodyguard ( I Will Always Love You), Thelma &Louise, Disney’s Captain EO, and DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt. He’s played at venues such as London’s Wembley Stadium where he performed at Nelson Mandela’s Freedom Concert. ...

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In honor of Black History Month, enjoy a night of jazz, soul, pop and gospel as guitarist, composer, music director and producer, A. Ray Fuller takes the stage Saturday evening, February 3rd at 8:00pm at the Mission Playhouse.

A Chicago native, Fuller started playing the guitar at the age of 7. In his 40 year career, he has worked with artists and producers including Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, Natalie Cole, George Duke, Boney James, Branford Marsalis, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Quincy Jones, David Foster, and Berry Gordy. Fuller can be heard on the soundtracks of The Bodyguard ( I Will Always Love You), Thelma &Louise, Disney’s Captain EO, and DreamWorks’ The Prince of Egypt. He’s played at venues such as London’s Wembley Stadium where he performed at Nelson Mandela’s Freedom Concert.

Joining Fuller are Elaine Gibbs, Paulette McWilliams, Brian Simpson, and Jeff Robinson.

R& B vocalist Elaine Gibbs was a finalist on Season 1 of Fox’s X Factor. X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger stated that Gibbs was one of the most talented singers she’s ever come by. Billboard magazine wrote that she was “a voice to be reckoned with.”

Paulette McWilliams’ voice can be heard on Michael Jackson’s ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough’, Aretha Franklin’s ‘Jump To It’, and Billy Idol’s ‘Mony Mony’. She’s toured with Luther Vandross and dueted with Johnny Mathis and Michael Bublé. In addition to the artists mentioned, McWilliams has worked with Quincy Jones, Bette Midler, Celine Dion, David Bowie, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez, and many others.

Pianist Brian Simpson has toured with jazz greats George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Larry Carlton, Billy Cobham and Gerald Albright. In the 90s, he wrote the #1 R&B hit ‘The First Time’ for Surface. For almost 20 years, he has been the musical director for jazz saxophonist Dave Koz. He is also the Musical Director for The Smooth Jazz Cruise.

Jeff Robinson has performed at numerous jazz festivals including the Playboy Jazz Festival. He currently tours as lead vocalist of the UK soul group, Loose Ends.

This event is part of the Mission Playhouse's Community Engagement Program, Engage! Tickets start at $15. Purchase tickets in person by visiting the Playhouse Box Office Tuesdays/Thursdays from 12:00pm-5:00pm. To learn more or to purchase tickets online, visit missionplayhouse.org.

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