Michael Ray
Biography
Michael Ray (born December 24, 1952) is an American jazz trumpeter. He tours extensively with Kool & the Gang, Sun Ra and the successor Sun Ra Arkestra under Marshall Allen's direction following Sun Ra's passing. For a period from the mid-1990s to the present he leads his own band, Michael Ray and the Cosmic Krewe. His playing with Sun Ra and independently has incorporated funkjazz, R & B, electronica and fusion genres. He is originally from Trenton, New Jersey and was born December 24, 1952. His professional start was performing with R & B acts such as Patti LaBelle, The Delfonics and The Stylistics. Michael Ray is married to Laranah Phipps Ray, Jazz vocalist of Phipps Family, Newark's 1st Family of Jazz. Ray joined Sun Ra's band in 1978. He appears on Sun Ra albums on Saturn Records and on CDs released by Evidence, Enja, HatHut, Rounder Records, Black Saint/Soul Note, Horo Records, A&M Records, Philly Jazz and ESP-Disk labels. Ray also mixed Mayan Temples, Sun Ra's last studio session (Black Saint/Italy-1992). In 1989 he moved to New Orleans and established several music projects, particularly the Cosmic Krewe. He has released records in the 1990s and 2000s under his leadership. Michael Ray continues to perform with the Sun Ra Arkestra and has appeared with rock-phenom Phish, live and on two Elektra recordings (A Live One and Trey Anastasio's Surrender to the Air). He recently worked on a PBS soundtrack for producer Delfeayo Marsalis and appears on recordings of Galactic drummer Stanton Moore and avant rockers Iris May Tango. He has made special appearances with many popular groups including Aquarium Rescue Unit, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Widespread Panic, U2, Porno for Pyros, Col. Bruce Hampton, Jazz is PHSH, and Deep Banana Blackout. Michael Ray is currently collaborating with jazz vocalist Laranah Phipps. Several projects are in the works. Source: Article "Michael Ray (trumpeter)" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA.
Known For & Full Filmography10 Titles
Drama Series - 1987, 16 episodes • as Self - Kool & the Gang
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Drama Series - 1982, 16 episodes • as Self - Kool & the Gang
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Movie - 2017, 2h 15m • as Self - Kool & the Gang
Vincent and Antoine, tired of the tours, decide to go on holiday with all the troop of Stars 80.
Movie - 2018, 2h 15m • as Self
Concert filmed at the Event Halle at Messe Basel on November 3, 2017 during the Baloise Session Festival.
Movie - 2025, 2h 15m • as Self
The 99th annual Macy's Day Parade will feature performers such as Cynthia Erivo, Lainey Wilson and the stars of the hit Netflix movie "KPop Demon Hunters."
Movie - 2005, 2h 15m • as Self
Kool & The Gang - 40th Anniversary Concert
Movie - 1999, 2h 15m • as Self
For three decades, the German television mega-hit "MusikLaden" drew an impressive list of musical legends from all over the world, capturing rare and memorable live concert performances. In this energetic show taped in 1982, disco impresarios Kool and the Gang perform hit songs with a unique blend of R&B, funk and disco, including "Celebration," "Ladies Night," "Get Down On It," "Too Hot," "Go Dancing" and "Big Fun."
Movie - 2017, 2h 15m • as Self - Kool & the Gang
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Movie - 2007, 2h 15m • as Self
An outstanding performance featuring brilliant storytelling, high stakes drama, and unforgettable character arcs.
Movie - 2009, 2h 15m • as Self
To celebrate their 40th Anniversary, The Greatest Hits Concert - live from Denver. Re-live the incredible story of Kool & The Gang through the songs that made the legends happen. From the 60s to the 90s, Kool & The Gang found a special sound at the unique intersection of Jazz, R&B, Funk and Pop. From the loose groove of Funky Stuff to the wild stomp of Jungle Boogie, the gentle reomance of Cherish to the elegant disco of Ladie's Night and the street-smart chant Hollywood Singing to the international anthem Celebration, it's an extraordinary sweep of popular music.