Ray,
I just happened to stumble across a few of your tunes from Cliff Engel's Int'l Institute of Bass site.
I never really paid attention to your section here on Talkbass because I only saw "Slap Bass" and figured it was just some funk guy who was a killer slap player.

Well forgive me! Your music is totally inspiring, you are making the electric bass a legitimate instrument for jazz and utilizing all of it's strengths. Your solos are amazing! Wow oh wow.

I see you're in the Phoenix area, I'm about three hours south of you in Sierra Vista but I would love to schedule a lesson with you whenever I'm up in the area if you're still taking students.

Thanks for your music!

Can I also ask exactly how you came about studying and playing jazz? I read from your bio that you played with different bands and genres of music, I'm just curious how you became such a great jazz bassist.

First, thanks for the kind words!

I really don't consider myself a jazz musician at all, especially when I think of the cats that I do consider jazz guys and there's no comparison.
I do love all forms of improvised music and because of that I do play some music that would be considered jazz I suppose.

I'm happy that more and more people see me more "rounded" as a player/musician and not just "that slap guy" LOL
I do love slap bass and have tried to really push what's been done with that particular style of playing but again, it's just a small part of my playing.

Lastly, I do teach so send me a line and I can give ya the details:
rriendeau3@cox.net

Best