Ray Hartley

Australian pianist & songwriter (b. Perth WA. 1925 - Won piano eisteddfod at age 8 and broadcasting on ABC at 14. After time in the RAAF broadcast on Perth radio and led own dance band, then left for Sydney in Jan. 1948. Worked with Eric Tann at Romanos and Paul Lombard at the Celebrity Club. Left for UK in August 1949 to study with Harold Croxton and at the Royal Academy of Music. Returns to Perth in Sept. 1953 after four years in the UK. Shortly afterward travels to U.S. and mid-1954 joins U.S. Musicians Union. 1958 records first RCA LP. Played piano for Gene Kelly film "Invitation To The Dance".