RAPHAEL has long been a familiar face (and bass) on the Mississippi (and Metro) music scene. For two years, his Monday night BIG BAND (GEORGE STREET GROCERY in the 80's) brought (and introduced) live jazz to Jackson's night life.He currently plays jazz and blues in area venues with his own groups ("JAZZ & BLUES ENSEMBLE" and "BIG BAND") as well as area favorites EZRA BROWN,HEATHER CLANCY ALLEN,JOANNE PARKS, BARRY LEACH LISA PALMER AND THE KNIGHT BRUCE GROUP ,"THESE DAYS" W/ JEWEL BASS AND SERGIO FERNANDEZ and others.

He has played with artists ranging from jazz master MOSE ALLISON to blues legend JOHN LEE HOOKER to name a couple and has played throughout the US, CANADA, JAPAN and EUROPE at venues including the MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL, NEW ORLEANS JAZZFEST, CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL and the KENNEDY CENTER (with the late blues legend KATIE WEBSTER).

Raphael has also written and performed compositions for television (WLBT "SPORTS JOURNAL" theme),the MISSISSIPPI SYMPHONY and the state ,writing, producing and recording "MISSISSIPPI FEELS LIKE COMING HOME".He was voted Jackson Music Awards MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR (2002) and recently received a 2005 HOMETOWN HERO AWARD from the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau for
"promoting Mississippi music" and tourism.