"My Reunion Blues Cymbal Case has far exceeded my expectations when it comes to soft cases. It's a very well made case/bag that's surely able to handle the road from gig to gig or while on tour. A drummer's investment will always be protected-the Continental Voyager Cymbal Case for the absolute win"

Corey Raymond, born and raised on Chicago’s Southside found himself very early on in his childhood, rapt by the rhythm and sounds of drums & percussion by way of the church through its Gospel music. Just like any other musician's analogous story, he found himself always wanting to get as close as he could to witness the musicians playing the instruments he began to fall in love with. In years to come, it would be later down the line that Corey would find himself no longer an on looker but a player of the instruments he grew to love. The first instrument Corey learned to play were the conga’s, his energy and passion for playing them were first noticed by Chicago producer, writer, music director and keyboardist Jeral Gray Sr. At the age of 15 Corey was asked by Jeral to join the band roster for Chicago based community choir, New Direction as their band’s percussionist in conjunction with Grayboy Productions. Some years later Daniel Weatherspoon, another Chicago producer, writer, music director and keyboardist would have Corey come aboard his company Spoonfed Productions as a percussionist as well. With much exposure from both producers and performing with New Direction, it welcomed Corey’s first experience of recording and or performing with such artist as: New Direction, Praise 2 Mass Choir, Chicago Mass Choir, Mark S. Hubbard, Lonnie Hunter III & the Voices of St. Mark, Vashawn Mitchell, Ricky Dillard & the New Generation Chorale, Ben Tankard, and Mothers Finest. 

The gift of music would not settle there, two years later at the age of 17 Corey began to take an interest in another percussive instrument, the drums! A late start drowned out by drive & determination, this new assignment was going to be fulfilled. With countless days and hours of dedication to practicing Corey would gradually hear development in his playing. It would be at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church under the musical direction of Lonnie Hunter III that Corey would get his first professional start at grooming and further developing the gift of drumming. In 4 to 5 years time it welcomed him to play for Lonnie Hunter III & The Voices of St. Mark, and upon filling that drum chair it brought about numerous traveling/touring experiences, concerts, workshops and television appearances consisting of:

G.M.W.A (Gospel Music Workshop of America), Chicago, Indianapolis & Philadelphia Gospel Festivals, Malaco Records Announcer’s Guild Award Ceremony, Bobby Jones Gospel Show Television Taping, Saturday Nite Sing Television taping, Willie Wilson’s Singsation Television Taping and the Wrigley Spearmint Gum 7 City Choir Competition Tour where Corey would also assume the role of house drummer and having the privilege to accompany special guest gospel artist Beverly Crawford & Richard Smallwood. While gospel music has been very instrumental in the making of Corey Raymond as a musician, so has the club scene of Chicago as well. It became grounds of preparation for the doors ahead that would soon open up for more amazing things to happen.

Since having acquired the role as a drummer Corey has gone on to perform and/or record with the likes of Grammy Award winning Hip-Hop Group Arrested Development, Kindred The Family Soul, Syleena Johnson, Drew Sidora, Christopher Williams, Grammy Winner Jennifer Hudson, Dorothy Norwood, the late Daryl Coley, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Karen Clark Sheard, Dorinda Clark Cole, Kevin Lemons, Vashawn Mitchell, Rudy Currence, Marion Meadows, Julian Vaughn, Althea Renee, Ragan Whiteside, Elan Trotman, Nils Jiptner, Jeanette Harris and a host of many more artists. 

Stage Plays

“Crowns“ by Regina Taylor adapted from the book written by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry

“Tell Hell I Ain't Comin“ by Marcia P. Samuels featuring Gospel recording artist, Vickie Winans & Terrell Carter.

“Speechless” A theatrical production Written and directed by Randy R. Walls & presented by The Nicholas House, a transitional housing shelter in Atlanta Georgia also featuring R&B Artist, J. Holiday.

“The Power of Passion” Written & Directed by Phelicia L. Brown, a B4Reel Production 

Achievements 

Placed 2nd best drummer for individual performance out of 17 other’s for the 2007 Emergenza Band Competition with Chicago based indie band, House of Twang.

Production Credits

Performance track for the stage play “Seasons of a Woman’s Life” a story/drama by Michele Aikens publisher of Grace Today magazine.

Co-Arranger for tracks “Crying in the rain”, “Sumtimez”, “Supa Freak” & “Do my thang” for indie artist ObisoulStar.