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Ray Naccari began studying piano at age 7, and continues studying piano and Advanced Orchestration at Juilliard. He has built several small recording studios including his own, which he has produced many artists, commercials and small films. Currently Composing & Orchestrating for the 2 Stage Musicals , One about Bill Bojangles Robinson and the second about the Medieval Magician Merlin. He has been musical director/pianist for BLACK STARS ON THE GREAT WHITE WAY with Ben Vereen, Norm Louis, Keith David, Chapman Roberts and Andre De Shields. Has done several shows at Carnegie Hall, and the Fashion Institute of Technology . Was music director for the Jean-Claude Baker (Josephine Baker’s son) memorial with Jessie Norman, Chapman Roberts, Vivian Reed. Was music director for TWO SOPRANOS SING OPERA TO BLUES at CARNEGIE HALL November 6, 2003 which also featured my Solo Piano performance of DEBUSSEYS’ CLAIR DE LUNE. Some of his noted live performances are with With: VIVIAN REED, NORM LEWIS, JENNIFER HOLLIDAY, CUBA GOODING Sr. , B.T. EXPRESS; GLORIA GAYNOR, B. J. CROSBY; (TV) BET JAZZ CENTRAL with RYO KAWASAKI, and JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER. He has recorded & co produced BOB MARLEY “SOUL ALMIGHTY” THE FORMATIVE YEARS, (went Platinum) and
SHANIA TWAIN “THE BEGINNINGS”. He had been commissioned to do two orchestrations for the BBC Orchestra for the 2007 production of CHAPMAN ROBERTS “THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO BROADWAY” performed in the “HACKNEY EMPIRE THEATRE” in LONDON. For that production I also soloed with the BBC Orchestra in “Live The Dream” and was on Synthesizer as part of the rhythm section for the show. Also was awarded ORCHESTRATOR OF THE YEAR 3 years in a row from The Josephine Foundation. Performed and was Musical Director for the The Havana International Jazz Festival 3yrs. 2016, 2017, 2019. Was Musical Director and performed at St. Peter’s Jazz Church for International Jazz Day. Music Director For Unity of New York Church at Symphony Space Manhattan.