Dr. Rackle And The Sound Griots, LLC Jazz Band from New Orleans, LA

Dr. Rackle And The Sound Griots was formed in 1995 by Raymond "Dr. Rackle" Williams, Sr. in Hartford, Connecticut. Raymond was given the name Dr. Rackle by his teacher and mentor Jackie McLean, who is also known as Dr. Jackle. The song "The Griot", recorded on Jackie McLean's Album "Fire And Love" which was released by Bluenote Records, was composed by Williams, who was just becoming a member of McLean's band in 1993. The "Griot" was written in reference to McLean, as the term "griot" means a knowledgeable and wise person who passes that knowledge on to the community through music, poem, and storytelling. Williams mentioned to McLean (The Griot), a few years later, his vision of starting his own band, and was set on naming the band, "The Raymond Williams Quintet"' McLean suggested to Williams that he name the band "Dr. Rackle And The Sound Griots". Dr. Rackle And The Sound Griots has performed extensively throughout Connecticut since its formation until October 2000, when Williams moved back to his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. Williams started the band again in 2001, performing in many New Orleans venues such as Bean Brothers, Snug Harbor, The Zeitgeist Multidisciplinary Arts Center in a tribute concert to Jackie McLean, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2003 and 2005. Due to Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, Williams had to disband the group and has been working extensively with the Hot 8 Brass Band and as a freelance musician in various bands. Dr. Rackle has his heart set on forming the Sound Griots again, to bring the traditional, modern and contemporary jazz sound, to include bebop, modal, free form, and funk, to audiences everywhere. Dr. Rackle And The Sound Griots performs original music, as well as the music of Jackie McLean, Ellis Marsalis, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk and Herbie Hancock as well as many other jazz greats. As of the past couple of years, Dr. Rackle And The Sound Griots is also a brass band performing traditional New Orleans Music and also contemporary brass band music. We have performed for weddings, birthday celebrations as well as jazz funerals.