Ray Chew

Musical Director, Arranger, Writer, Producer, Pianist

World-renowned music director, composer and producer Ray Chew is band leader for NBC’s new hit series “The Singing Bee.” The show debuted in July as the highest-rated and most-watched summer series premier since the debut of “Dancing With the Stars” in 2005. Chew, along with host Joey Fatone, is heavily involved in the on-camera aspects of the show. He conducts the live band as they play clues to which contestants must sing responses.

Ray Chew has been at the helm of exciting musical events – live and televised – performing with countless legendary artists such as Sting, James Taylor, the 4-Tops, Dionne Warwick, Elvis Costello, Smokey Robinson, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin and Quincy Jones. Ray’s most recent televised performances as Musical Director of “The 2007 BET Awards” and “The 7th Annual BET Celebration of Gospel” resulted in critical acclaim throughout the musician and artist communities. One of the highlights of “The 2007 BET Awards” was the once in a lifetime performance of “And I Am Telling You”, where Jennifer Hudson and Jennifer Holiday performed the Broadway and Motion Picture hit for the first time together on stage. During the show, Ray also put his mark on performances with Ciara, Erykah Badhu and Stevie Wonder and musically produced a special tribute to Gerald Levert featuring Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Yolanda Adams and Eddie Levert.

Ray’s most recent work behind the scenes includes the original score of MTV Film’s latest release, “Super Sweet 16 – The Movie” and providing music for Donald Trump’s Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA franchises. Last Year, he appeared on stage with Billboard’s Female Artist of the Year, Rihanna, in six countries performing as pianist and conductor on her hit “Unfaithful”. They shared the stage at various award shows as well as international mainstays “Top of the Pops” and “Hit Machine.” In 2005 and 2006 Ray also musically directed unique live performances for major music industry events including: the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s fundraiser for Colon Cancer Research – Produced by Ken Erlich; The 1st Annual Concert for Katrina – Produced by Wynton Marsalis; The Recording Academy Honors – Produced by the Grammy Foundation; and the New Jersey Bergen Performing Art’s Center Spring Gala for Arts and Education – Produced by Chew Entertainment.

In addition to these specialty performances, Ray maintains his tenure as Musical Director for the Apollo Theater Foundation, recently acting as co-producer for their annual spring benefit concert. This year he produced and performed a Tribute to James Brown featuring Wyclef Jean, Jill Scott, Mos Def and Maceo Parker on the World Famous Apollo Theater stage. Ray can also be found every Saturday night on another NBC program, “It’s Showtime at the Apollo” – the longest running TV show in syndication. “Showtime At The Apollo” is arguably the toughest schedule in television.” a quote from music, television and film industry pioneer Suzanne De Passe, Executive Producer. The schedule’s tenacity can be attributed to the varying degrees of performers: non-professional talent, children, and high profile artists from around the country. But this type of intensity is second nature for Ray, who learned early on how to juggle writer, arranger and musician duties with NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” band during the Eddie Murphy years.

Not only a musical director and producer – Ray’s sought after work as a composer has been featured on albums from Dianna Ross’ “The Boss” to The Diary of Alicia Keys and television specials including the 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’s most grand orchestrating work to date was for Alicia’s farewell Diary Tour performance at L.A.’s Hollywood Bowl, where he conducted a 63-piece orchestra for a special DVD presentation, to be released in 2007.

Ray also serves as a Trustee for NARAS and co-chairs their education committee. But it’s at his state of the art recording studio – Vision House – where Ray creates scores and produces music for film, television and albums. Vision House maintains the latest in software and hardware with a live room including a Baldwin Grand Piano, Hammond B3 Organ, Roland V-Drums, Pro-Tools HD and Logic Audio.

Ray is a BMI recording artist represented by the William Morris Agency.