Carline Ray was born on April 21, 1925 in New York City, New York, USA. She was married to Luis Russell and Luis Russell. She died on July 18, 2013 in New York City, New York, USA.
Her father was a musician with the band of James Reese Europe.
Upon graduating from the Juilliard School of Music in 1946, she began her professional career as a singer and guitarist with the International Sweethearts of Rhythm.
Her father was a horn player who graduated from Juilliard the year she was born. She attended Juilliard for five years, changing her major from piano to composition. In 1956, she received a master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music.