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Ray Chew and the Crew is comprised of Ray Chew, Bobby Douglas, Ralph Rolle, Joseph Gray and Artie Reynolds. All the members are busy musicians individually as well as collectively. As a group, they also perform for the live Wednesday night Apollo Amateur Nights. They also perform as back-up band for lots of entertainers, such as Stephanie Mills and others.
Formed in 1992, Ray Chew and the Crew was created as an extension of their duties as the house band for The Apollo Theater in Harlem USA. Chew, along with original band member Bobby Douglas and Ralphe Rolle, enlisted the talents of Joseph Gray and Artie Reynolds, thus creating "the baddest band in the land"
Ray Chew and the Crew have garnered a national television audience as the house band for the syndicated television programme, "It's Showtime at the Apollo" Whether the skeptical Apollo audience is booing or applauding, the band can be heard alongside aspiring contestants for "Showtime's" weekly talent competition, "Amateur night"
In addition to their duties at the Apollo, the band have pooled their talents to creat a 12-track R&B experience through an album named "Feelin' it" Alongside Chew's effort playing keyboards, bass synthersizer, drums and a myriad of other instruments, the album's musicians include 'crew' members Ralph Rolle on drums, lead and background vocals, Artie Reynolds on bass and background vocals, Joseph Gray, singing lead and background vocals and Bobby Doulglas on the keyboards, lead and background vocals. With infusion of funk and spoken word, the album boasts guest appearances from Roy Ayers, Lekule, Sandra St. Victor and George Clinton.
While Chew is the band's primary producer, writer and arranger, each Ray Chew and the Crew musician brings their own special writing, arranging and production talents to the group. In addition to their work with The Apollo Theater, their album project and various community service activities, "Ray Chew and the Crew" have backed artists ranging from Nancy Wilson, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle, Gerald Albright, Rakim, Kirk Whalum and Monica. They have recently shared the concert stage with Stepahnie Mills, Brian McKnight, Yolanda Adams and Kenny Latimore to name a few.
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