Raymond Oliver

My interest in music began in 1961 when I first heard Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Cream and Pink Floyd. The UK in the 60’s was an exciting and highly innovative time in music with the advent of British Blues bands.

After moving to Australia I began playing in the Brisbane music scene, firstly in a local pop band and then with “The Light” which was very much an underground blues and soul outfit. Moving to Melbourne in the 70’s I linked up with some professional musicians such as Duncan Maguire, Mark Kennedy and Leo De Castro in ‘King Harvest’ who had a Number 5 hit in the Australian charts. The band later became known as ‘Friends’ and then ‘Ayers Rock’. Information concerning my history can be found in the book ‘The Who’s Who of Australian Rock’

Other bands I performed with in the 80's were ‘The Ride Band’ and ‘Blackfeather’ who achieved a number 1 hit on the Australian charts. I then established myself as a session guitarist playing on jingles and other artist’s records which then led to setting up my own recording studio in Brisbane where I was able to learn the art of recording, mixing, programming, engineering and producing.

In the 90’s I performed with reggae band ‘Fraction’ and did some duo work before moving into the jazz scene where I took on a role as big band guitarist with “The Urban Swing Big Band” and ‘The Affordables’, and some small jazz combos, which I still do to this day. I have a keen interest in New Age and Relaxation music and have produced several CD’s of my own material including the award winning CD ‘Heaven On Earth’.

It was in 2009 I joined as second guitarist for Beyond the Darkside.