Forever Ray: Whitley and the Hard Times Band

Shulton Whitley- lead vocalist
Shulton has been singing most of his life. The church was his training ground. Since coming together with Bobby Deitch and the Hard Times Band, Shulton has performed the music of Ray Charles to sold out audiences at the renowned songwriting team, Ashford & Simpson’s "Sugar Bar" in New York City, among several other venues in the New York City metro area.

Angela Workman- vocalist
Angela Workman has performed for audiences throughout the world. Touring with Artists such as Ray Charles and Ben E. King. She has performed on television with Michael McDonald, Stevie Wonder, Kelly Clarkson and Patti LaBelle. She has also recorded with Eminem, Chico DeBarge, George Clinton, The Gatlin Brothers and Prince. She has currently finished her first solo CD produced by members of of the band Spyro Gyra entitled “Moon Flowers”.

Chyna Grant- vocalist
Chyna has extensive singing and acting experience from working with Producers Raymond Reid and Kenny Knicks to recording with artists Fantasia, Bon Jovi, Lauren Hill, the Harlem Gospel Choir and Whoopi Goldberg.

Samantha Joy Whitley- vocalist
Samantha is eighteen years of age and has been performing since she could walk. She has starred in many of her school’s productions since elementary school and is now aiming for a career in the performing arts where she can continue to learn and grow as a performer. Samantha has a passion for dance and has been in training to pursue that field for eleven years. Samantha has inherited most of her singing talents from her father that was first displayed in church.

Mitchell Endick- baritone saxophone
Mitchell Endick has performed and recorded with Tito Puente, The O' Jays, Donna Summers, Frankie Valli, The Temptations and the Four Tops.

Baron Raymonde- Alto Saxophone
Baron has performed extensively touring the world with with artists such as Rod Stewart, The Blues Brothers Band, Manhattan Transfer, Jimmy Buffett, Sister Sledge and Southside Johnny to name a few.

Fred Maxwell- Trumpet
Performances/Tours/Recordings with: Alicia Keys (tour,recordings/ grammy performance), Christina Aguilera, Frank Sinatra, Lionel Hampton, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Jimmy Dorsey Orch., Barry White, Gloria Gaynor, Dizzy Gillespie, Debbie Reynolds, assorted movie soundtracks: Along Came Polly, Chops horn section (Rolling Stones, Police, Bob Dylan) and Doc Severinsen.

Eddy Bishai- Keyboards
Eddy is one of New York’s finest keyboardists performing with jazz great Junior Mance, Conan O’Brien’s Jimmy Vivino, as well as opening for pianist Marian McPartland.

Bobby Deitch- Drummer/Musical Director
Bobby is an accomplished drummer, songwriter, producer, music educator and entrepreneur. He has performed with notable musicians in funk, jazz and pop bands throughout the eastern United States. He is both a composer and publishing member of ASCAP, and his music has been recorded on Sony Records.

Joe Macaro- bassist
Joe Macaro was on the faculty at the Rutgers University Jazz Department, where he taught jazz theory and bass. He has been a musical director for the Dynasty Music Agency for the past 15 yrs, playing for and accompanying artists such as Ben Vereen, Liza Minnelli, the cast of the Sopranos as well as the Miss America pageants in Atlantic City. He is also a contributing columnist for Bass Player Magazine.

Russ DeFilippis
Russ DeFilippis (Guitarist, Composer, Educator and Editor/Producer CBS The Early Show)Graduate Bachelor of Music form Berklee College of Music 1975. Instructor at Berklee College of Music 75-77. assistant to George Benson working on Warner Brothers releases , "Tenderly," "Big Boss Band," and "Love Remembers."Performed with George Benson, John Tropea, Martha Reeves, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Little Anthony, Bobby Rydell, Lou Christie, The Drifters, The Crystals and The Shirelles to name few.