Ray Bryant (Raphael Homer Bryant) (born December 24, 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American jazz pianist and composer. Ray Bryant began playing the piano from the age of six, also performing on bass in junior High School. Turning professional before his age of majority, Bryant has accompanied many other leading players such as Miles Davis and Coleman Hawkins, as well as singers like Carmen McRae. From the late 1950s he also led a trio, performing throughout the world, and also working solo.