*“We been getting a lot of love,” said iconic music director Ray Chew (“Dancing with the Stars”/ “It’s Showtime at the Apollo”) about the release of his new single “Jam” featuring Grammy Award-winning Stephanie Mills, BET Hip-Hop Award-winning MC Lyte and Doug E. Fresh, signaling his return to “Dancing with the Stars” for season 33 as music director premiering September 17, 2024.
“This…is me speaking of my journey – the title of the album (“My Journey”). ‘Jam’ is the new single. It started with me and Kid Capri in the studio with a beat. A party vibe,” Chew told me as we discussed his single’s iconic support.
“Stephanie responded well. She recorded her vocals. We had to have someone to rock the party and who can rock a party like Lyte,” he laughed a little. “This is my 2nd under my name,” Ray said about the “My Journey” project. “It’s been 20 years since ‘Blue Crystal’ (his debut solo album). Its release is the first quarter of 2025.”
I interviewed Chew around the time of his debut. I reminded him of that time because he was music director at the Apollo.
“I spent 15 years as music director of the Apollo and then Showtime at the Apollo with Steve Harvey and Chew. I’ve worked as a music director for the BET Awards, American Idol.”
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Ray Chew plays piano/keyboard, drums, and percussion. He has been working as a music director since he was 16 years old!
“At 19 I worked as music director for Nick Ashford & Valarie Simpson,” he added. “They empowered me to arrange.”
I reminded him that he was a prodigy child, like Stevie Wonder.
“My mother didn’t want me to focus on being a prodigy, she kept me focused on perfecting my pitch and I had a high IQ. She wanted me to focus on achievements. Study…study…study.” Ray said to me, proving my point.
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Grammy Award-winning DJ Kid Capri produces the “Jam” single.
American Eagle Award-winning Ray Chew’s credits also include acting as music director, producer, and/or composer for such iconic performers as Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, and Rihanna. www.AllThingsChew.com www.ABC.com
SYNDICATED COLUMN: Dr. Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of over one million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Business Management/Public Relations Strategist and Consultant at Freelance Associates and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENTS: “Uplifting Minds II” Entertainment Conference (ULMII), founded by Eunice in 1999, is into its 25th year. The next events are coming to Baltimore via Zoom on Saturday, April 20, 2024, presented by Security Square Mall and The Baltimore Times, and Los Angeles via Zoom on Saturday, November 9, 2024. The ULMII event is a free entertainment conference offering a Professional Panel Q&A Session, a Professional Talent Showcase, and a National Talent Competition (vocal, songwriting, dance, and acting) where aspiring artists have a chance to receive over $19,000 valued in prizes/product/services. Log onto www.UpliftingMinds2.com and RSVP for Zoom Access at EventBrite.com or email [email protected].
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