MUSICIANS - if you're a young, talented, hardworking musician in the Tri-State area...I want to meet you. Send me video footage of you playing. If you read music, that's a plus! Let me know what tours you've been on and who you've played with. See you later!
Revered as a true professional and beloved by countless entertainers, Ray Chew has been at the helm of award winning musical events – live and televised – performing with genre crossing artists including Alicia Keys, Sting, Rihanna, Prince, Jennifer Hudson, James Taylor, Barry Manilow, Jennifer Holiday, The 4-Tops, Dionne Warwick, Elvis Costello, Smokey Robinson, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin, Aretha Franklin and Quincy Jones. In addition to being a Hollywood staple for musical events, Ray’s work behind the scenes includes a long recording career with top selling artists, as well as film and television scoring.
World renowned musician, composer and producer Ray Chew has served as Musical Director for network television series including NBC’s The Singing Bee, Showtime At the Apollo and BET’s Sunday Best (currently airing Sundays on BET). A recent television appearance put Ray at the helm of the second annual BET Honors, where he prepared musical tributes to Magic Johnson, Tyler Perry, Mary J. Blige, Judith Jamison, B. Smith and Congressman James E. Clyburn. Ray performed in tribute to these honorees with Ne-yo, Queen Latifah, Keyshia Cole, Stevie Wonder, Joss Stone, Yolanda Adams and Anita Baker.
At an important milestone of the nation’s history, Ray was chosen as the Musical Director for the Inaugural Neighborhood Ball television special (ABC-TV), where the President and First Lady shared their first dance. Ray performed with some of the entertainment industry’s brightest stars at the celebration, including Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Sting, Mary J. Blige, Shakira and Beyoncé who sang “At Last” for the couple’s first dance. He also directed an amazing all star tribute to the President, featuring Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Wil.I.Am, Faith Hill and Jamie Foxx with Stevie Wonder performing “Sign, Sealed, Delivered”.
Ray also had the honor of being musical director for the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver where he performed with his nationwide orchestra through all four days of the convention - including the culminating events at Invesco Field. There, he performed “America the Beautiful” with Michael McDonald and produced the National Anthem for Academy Award winning vocal powerhouse Jennifer Hudson. The performance was so well received that it can now be downloaded from iTunes and found on the commemorative inauguration CD-DVD set “Change Is Now”.
Ray’s vast recording career ranges from working with timeless artists, Diana Ross and Donny Hathaway through Grammy award-winning artist Alicia Keys. His signature sound can be found on Lil Wayne’s chart topping album The Carter III in “Comfortable” - a track produced by Kanye West, featuring Babyface. He has orchestrated for and appeared on many television specials including the 44th, 46th and 47th Annual Grammy Awards, VH-1’s Save the Music Concert, MTV Unplugged, Nobel Peace Prize Concert and the World Music Awards. Ray also performed with Grammy Award winner, Rihanna, in six countries as pianist and conductor on her hit “Unfaithful” at various award shows and international mainstays Top of the Pops and Hit Machine. Ray’s most grand orchestrating work to date was for “The Diary of Alicia Keys” farewell tour performance at L.A.’s Hollywood Bowl where he conducted a 63-piece orchestra for a special DVD presentation, to be released in 2009.
When not on stage, Ray serves as a National Trustee for the Grammy organization NARAS, where he is also on the Education and Diversity Committees. But it’s at his state of the art recording studio – Vision House – where Ray prepares for his next show, pens a one of a kind score and produces music for film, television and various artist recordings.
Ray is a BMI recording artist represented by the William Morris Agency.
Hi Mr. Ray, Hope you & Mrs. Vivian had a great flight. We've been having fun here in LA so far. We're looking forward to going to the Grammys with you! See you tomorrow! Dylan Jenet & family
Thank You So Much Ray, I appreciate the space brother! I really enjoyed the brothers at the Apollo (Dec. 08). Great job at the B.E.T. Gospel Celebration. Remember, God Is Able! May the Lord forever bless you and yours!
Online Now!
