i am pleased to write on behalf of a very great artist, performer, composer, and music producer:  mr. michael raye.  i have known and worked with michael for two years in new york and at nyu, and can say with total candor that he continues to impress, dazzle and inspire me.   michael is more than a triple threat: he is a superb musician, wonderful keyboard player, stylist and improviser, original and emotional composer, terrific arranger for materials from pop to hip hop to main stream commercial.  he is also a musical dramatist of power and daring, capable of composing in a contemporary concert style (such as minimalism, spectral, or neo-classical) or producing commercial recordings in motown or heavy metal soundscapes.  his bio speaks for itself, with so many accomplishments and collaborations with major artists.  there is nothing in his music that is effete or academically contrived.  it all sings and rocks!

he is also a very great human being, and wonderful colleague.  i recommend him without reservation.

paul chihara…

trying to write about michael raye is like trying to write about music when you actually know something about the subject. there’s a lot to say and you don’t want to miss anything. it’s much easier if you’re a critic. then you can comment on his burning creativity, slashing perception and peripatetic fabulositudinous rhythmicity reminiscent of john lennon, j.j. cale or someone else equally inscrutable.

but michael raye is a very talented player and composer who is both schooled and intuitive. he knows very well how to create mood and feeling which are for the most part what music is about today. whether creating absolute music or music in the service of film he goes for the immediate feeling that pulls you in and keeps you involved. his creativity also extends to his style of dress and way of looking at the world. put all that together with his strong desire to increase his knowledge and skills and you have a great musician and a great person.

 ira newborn…