About Us
Saxophonist, Ray Iaea (pronounced e-I-uh) started playing the saxophone in 7th grade and it's really ironic, that he actually wanted to play the violin, but the saxophone was the only instrument left when it was his turn to choose an instrument. What a blessing that was! Ray has spend most of his musical career traveling in the Netherlands, through the rest of Europe and across the United States, with various bands including the Air Force Tops In Blue. The highlight was performing at the Superbowl XIX Halftime Show.
After settling down in Northern California, Ray played in some local bands and started collaborating with musicians such as Alex Dedal, Beth Iaea and Paul Sanders He has also performed with keyboardist Tony Windle and keyboardist Roger Smith, which is a member of the legendary Tower Of Power Band.
In 2008 Ray took the plunge and ventured out with his own smooth jazz group, The Ray Iaea Jazz Project, featuring Beth Iaea on keyboards! Ray and Beth's CD is a blend of contemporary smooth jazz and R&B featuring soulful saxophone, funky keyboards, tasty guitars and groovin' bass.
After settling down in Northern California, Ray played in some local bands and started collaborating with musicians such as Alex Dedal, Beth Iaea and Paul Sanders He has also performed with keyboardist Tony Windle and keyboardist Roger Smith, which is a member of the legendary Tower Of Power Band.
In 2008 Ray took the plunge and ventured out with his own smooth jazz group, The Ray Iaea Jazz Project, featuring Beth Iaea on keyboards! Ray and Beth's CD is a blend of contemporary smooth jazz and R&B featuring soulful saxophone, funky keyboards, tasty guitars and groovin' bass.
Keyboardist, Mrs. Beth Iaea received her Bachelors degree in Music Therapy Magna Cum Laude from the University of Dayton, and her Masters of Music Education degree Summa Cum Laude from Wright State University in Ohio. She has taught all grade levels in the public schools, teaching general music, band, marching band, jazz band, choir, and guitar. She has also taught at the Jr. College and University level courses in Piano Pedagogy, Theory, Ear training/sightsinging, Music for the Elementary Education Major, and other methods courses. A piano instructor for over 20 years, she currently resides in Elk Grove, CA and instructs 40 students weekly.
She is a member of the collegiate honor society, Phi Kappa Phi, the National Guild of Piano Teachers, Past President of the international music fraternity of Sigma Alpha Iota-Delta Sigma Chapter, and was nominated by her colleagues for membership and international teaching in the U.S. delegation for Jazz Education in Australia. In High School she received the J.S.Bach, Sonatina, Sonata, and High School Diploma in Music awards from the American College of Musicians, and was chosen by national auditions to travel throughout Europe performing with the Jazz Abroad Program at the major Jazz festivals of Antibes France, North Sea Holland, and Montreux Switzerland. In college she received the University of Dayton Performing Arts Most Talented award and was awarded a full assistantship for Graduate Study at Wright State University.
She is a member of the collegiate honor society, Phi Kappa Phi, the National Guild of Piano Teachers, Past President of the international music fraternity of Sigma Alpha Iota-Delta Sigma Chapter, and was nominated by her colleagues for membership and international teaching in the U.S. delegation for Jazz Education in Australia. In High School she received the J.S.Bach, Sonatina, Sonata, and High School Diploma in Music awards from the American College of Musicians, and was chosen by national auditions to travel throughout Europe performing with the Jazz Abroad Program at the major Jazz festivals of Antibes France, North Sea Holland, and Montreux Switzerland. In college she received the University of Dayton Performing Arts Most Talented award and was awarded a full assistantship for Graduate Study at Wright State University.
Michael Noche is a California native. He started playing guitar at the age of 12, experimenting with classical music, tunes from the 40s and 50s, and Beatles tunes. He began his music career as guitarist/vocalist for Soul/R & B band, “After Six.” They gigged in different venues in southern California. He broke in his jazz chops with jazz bands, “Jazz Test Center” and “Brass Ring.” As a versatile musician, he has also performed popular music with pop band, “At Random” and soul/Latin band “Soulamente.” While Mike lived in Wyoming, he performed with “Black, White, Blues Band” in the northern Colorado area. Upon his move to the Sacramento area, he sat in with jazz band, “Smooth Groove.” He later joined the powerhouse band, “Love Train” as lead vocalist and lead/rhythm guitarist for almost 4 years. Audiences were wowed by their high-energy performances in Lake Tahoe, Reno and the greater Sacramento area. Mike has also performed with Sacramento bands “Clean Slate” and the “Rhythm Club Band.”
