Ray Tilkens
The son of a
talented professional pianist and a seasoned musician himself, Ray
Tilkens' diverse musical gifts have enabled him to thrive in an industry
not particularly known for its fairness and virtue. Despite the
competition, and time itself, Ray's "Ambient Sound" studio is
still the pro's choice, having been established in 1979 in a homey
setting just 2 miles off the Washington Beltway.
Known for his
gentle decisiveness, which artistically caters to the performer of the
moment, Ray, having engineered the likes of BET's "BET on
Jazz," has also been voted "Best Recording Engineer of the
Year" by the readers of Music Monthly. Ambient Productions wears
the many distinctions that Ray Tilkens has earned over decades of
musical experience.
Like many
musicians Ray became interested in music at an early age. From age six
through twelve he studied the piano, violin and viola. As a child he
also became a member of the St. Johns Episcopal Boys Choir. At age
thirteen he picked up the guitar. The first riffs he learned were the
Beatles' "Daytripper" and Curtis Mayfield's "I'm the One
Who Loves You". He was influenced heavily by the Beatles, Jimi
Hendrix and Eric Clapton. The following is a list of some of his musical
achievements:
- 1973: Member
of "God Mother Country"
- 1975: Member
of "Flight"
- 1976: Member
of "Mystic Blue"
- 1977: Member
of "Small Talk"
- 1978: Member
of "Big Al Downing's Band"
- 1979: Member
of "Tough Luck"
- 1980: Member
of "Race the Rat"
- 1980 - 1985:
Toured with "Root Boy Slim"
- 1991: Jammed
with Lynyrd Skynyrd on stage at Merriweather Post Pavilion
- 1994: Voted
"Best Sound Engineer of the Year" by the readers of Music
Monthly
- 1997:
Engineered BET's "BET on Jazz"
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