Drummer, Percussionist, Producer, Remixer, Indie Label Owner.
Currently, Drummer for The Alexis P. Suter Band.
Ray Grappone was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. His brothers were avid record collectors, and there were plenty of LP's all over the house. With very supportive parents, Marie and Carmine Grappone, Ray began to study the drums privately at "The Drummer's Workshop" with Brooklyn's own Normie Wayne. While playing in various local Rock groups, Orchestras, Concert Bands, Club Dates and stock Big Bands from Swing Music to Contemporary, He then went on to earn a BA in Percussion Performance, and an MA In Music Education from Lehman College in New York. Ray took over duties at "The Drummer's Workshop" for a short period, then began touring nationally and internationally with various musical theater productions.
Ray has performed in over twenty Broadway productions, and many more Off-Broadway. He has worked with acclaimed composers Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Henry Krieger, Alan Menken and Cy Coleman. He has also performed as Drummer/Percussionist at the Theaters at Lincoln Center, Joseph Papp Theater, Madison Square Garden and with The New York State Opera. Ray has toured nationally as personal Drummer for Tony Award winners Carol Channing and Donna McKechnie. He has recorded both on Drum set and Percussion for record labels such as Atlantic, Columbia, Sony, RCA Victor, Nonesuch, and Varese Sarabande .
Continuing playing in groups above ground and underground lead Ray to co-founding Hipbone Records, an independent record label that started out releasing soulful, underground house music on 12" Vinyl. Hipbone Records have licensed their music worldwide on compilations and in film and television. He played and composed on Hipbone's Beats and Grooves series that include "Double Drums" and "Skins, Metal, and Wood" among many other productions of Hipbone's vast 12" catalog. In house music/ electronica Ray also has credits with Giant Step, Naked Music, Wave Music, Priority Records, Vinylmania, Sole Music in the UK and many others. Hipbone has added full length Blues, Soul and Modern Music recordings to their catalogue, always looking into the future.
Ray performed with artists Carole King, Levon Helm, Bette Midler, Stephen Stills, Coati Mundi, Carol Channing, Donna McKechnie, Helen Reddy, Colm Wilkinson, Patti Lupone, Rita Moreno, Eddie Fisher, Petula Clark, Patti Page, Bobby Vinton, Martin Short, Twiggy, Kevin Kline, Hugh Jackman, Alexis P. Suter and others.
Contemporary bands - The Alexis P. Suter Band, The Bennett Brothers, Dem' Brooklyn Bums, TUBA, Lazy Boy, The Open Door and Jesus H. Christ.
Contemporary ensembles - The Omni Ensemble and The BQE Orchestra.
Television / Film - "Nip/Tuck", "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy", "Love Monkey", "The Accidental Husband", "Stevie", "Singularity".
Affiliations - Local 802 AFM, ASCAP, Percussive Arts Society
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