The multi-talented musician and Harlem native, Ray Chew is often described as “music director to the stars” having garnered a vast amount of accomplishments as music director for Dancing with the Stars, and formally, American Idol and It’s Showtime at The Apollo and in the 1980s performed as a member of the Saturday Night Live Band for the long-running sketch comedy show.
This month, Chew returns to Harlem Week to celebrate its 50th anniversary as bandleader Harlem Music Festival All-Star Band. He spoke to Amsterdam News via Zoom about his upcoming album and new single, “Jam,” life and his roots in Harlem World.
AmNews: It would be amazing if you would talk a bit about your roots in Harlem.
Ray Chew: That was the venue, you know, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, all Motown, everybody had to play the apollo. And I would be backstage, trying to get a glimpse of who might be coming in. And you could tell who some of the important artists were because the line…
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