Symbol: Kokopelli | Sign: Capricorn
MICHAEL RAYIntergalactic Research Tone Scientist
A renowned international trumpeter Michael Ray is a seasoned jazz-funk musician who has had stellar runs with Patti LaBelle, The Delfonics, The Stylistics, Kool and the Gang, Sun Ra Arkestra, and many other legendary bands.
A professional musician for more than forty years, this Trenton, New Jersey native has simultaneously mined every side of the of international music scene since the late 1970's playing his supersonic jazz/funk/future trumpet as the Intergalactic Research Tone Scientist with Sun Ra & His Arkestra, prancing around to the funky sounds of tho platinum-selling, stadium-filling, hella killer horn driven Grammy Award winning R&B/Funk best-sellers, Kool & the Gang and many other world-wide phenomenons.
Michael Ray’s prolific body of work as a trumpeter, producer, songwriter, and performer has earned him a reputation as one of the hardest working men in show business. Whether he is fronting his revolutionary group Michael Ray & Cosmic Krewe or lending his talents to A-list stars, he brings unparalleled musicianship to every performance.
This Native of Trenton NJ started his musical journey in the early 1970’s, playing locally in the Capitol City. He eventually began to tour with legends such as Patti LaBelle, The Delfonics and The Stylistics. Michael first came to international prominence as a member of the iconic Sun Ra Arkestra, a group he still performs and records with to this day. In 1978 he joined Kool & the Gang, over time, he became one of the horn section’s driving forces. Kool & the Gang’s choreography performed by Michael Ray and the band members, is iconic to this day.
An acclaimed “musician’s musician,” Michael Ray has been invited to perform with some of the most accomplished live acts in the world, including Phish, Medeski, Martin & Wood, U2, Kevin Hearn, Barenaked Ladies (BNL), Jazz Is Phish, Big Ol' Nasty Getdown, Aquarium Rescue Unit, The Zambiland Orchestra, and Deep Banana Blackout.
Michael has been bestowed with countless awards, including 4 American Music Awards, 5 Ampex Golden Reel Awards, the 1978 NARM Award and several Grammy nominations, not to mention a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Additionally, he has received awards from Lila Wallace-Readers' Digest, National Jazz Network, The Louisiana Jazz Federation, New Orleans' Contemporary Arts Center and WWOZ FM.
Michael is married to Laranah Phipps-Ray, a dominant musical force in her own right. Together they are building a multi-media empire, refer to as The Rayborhood, which expands far beyond just music. They continue to break new ground together, most notably while fronting their individual bands: him with Michael Ray & Cosmic Krewe and her with La Funkalicious.
Although he has already led an incredibly accomplished career, Michael remains as dedicated to his art form as he was on day one. Thanks to his fearless innovation and unrivaled love of his craft, he continues to set the standard for what a modern musicians can accomplish.
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