James Elbert Raney (August 20, 1927 – May 10, 1995)[1] was an American jazz guitarist, born in Louisville, Kentucky, United States,[2] known for his work from 1951 to 1952 and then from 1953 to 1954 with the Red Norvo trio (replacing Tal Farlow) and, during the same time period, with Stan Getz.
In 1946, he worked for a time as guitarist with the Max Miller Quartet at Elmer's in Chicago, his first paying gig.
In 1967, alcoholism and other professional difficulties led him to leave New York City and return to his native Louisville.
Raney lived with Ménière's disease for thirty years, a degenerative condition that led to near deafness in both ears, although this did not stop him from playing.
His obituary in The New York Times called him "one of the most gifted and influential postwar jazz guitarists in the world".