Ray Gomez: vintage Strat and Soldano SLO 100

Ray Gomez RIP

Artist Profile & Setup

Instruments: Electric Guitar (Fender Stratocasters, Gibson Les Pauls)
Primary Roles: Solo Artist, Composer, Elite Fusion & Session Guitarist
Genres: Jazz-Rock Fusion, Progressive Blues-Rock, Funk, Contemporary Instrumental
Notable Collaborations: Stanley Clarke, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Narada Michael Walden, The Pop Tops

Note: Ray Gomez (born 1953 in Casablanca, Morocco; passed away July 2026) was a peerless, highly influential guitar virtuoso celebrated for his blistering technique, deeply soulful blues phrasing, and pioneering role in shaping 1970s and 1980s jazz-fusion.

Extensive Biography

Ray Gomez moved from Casablanca to Europe early in life, starting on piano at age eight after hearing Ray Charles before switching to the guitar at ten. He initially rose to European prominence as a member of the Spanish pop-rock band Pop Tops, scoring a major international hit with "Mamy Blue" in 1971. Following an invitation to London by George Harrison in 1973—where he connected with rock royalty like Keith Emerson and Jon Anderson—Gomez relocated to New York in 1974, quickly establishing himself as an elite, highly sought-after session player.

Gomez cemented his legendary status in jazz-fusion history when he delivered the jaw-dropping, fiery guitar solos on bassist Stanley Clarke’s landmark 1976 masterwork, School Days. Blending traditional blues roots with hyper-creative, advanced fusion voicings, Gomez earned immense praise from icons like Carlos Santana and Jeff Beck. Throughout his career, he lent his distinct, vocal-like Stratocaster tone to legendary records spanning jazz, funk, and pop, working alongside artists such as Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, and Narada Michael Walden. As a solo artist, his cult-classic 1980 release Volume became an underground blueprint for guitarists worldwide (influencing virtuosos like Shawn Lane, who famously covered Gomez's composition "West Side Boogie").

Selected Discography & Key Appearances

Solo Releases

Volume (1980 / Columbia Records) – The legendary, highly influential solo debut fusing blistering fusion, funk, and blues-rock.
Keep It Simple (2012) – Later-career independent release showcasing his refined compositional depth and tone.

Landmark Collaborative & Session Work

Stanley Clarke – School Days (1976 / Epic) – Features Gomez's iconic lead guitar work on the title track.
Stanley Clarke – Live (1976-1977) (1977 / Epic)
Narada Michael Walden – Garden of Love Light (1976) & Learn How to Love (1977)
Chaka Khan – Chaka Khan (1982 / Warner Bros.)
Aretha Franklin – Who's Zoomin' Who? (1985 / Arista)

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