Carnegie Hall says it will present “Songs of America” on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 8 p.m., in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage.
Carnegie Hall said “Songs of America” is “a genre-blending celebration of music that has defined the heart, sound, and soul of the nation.”
Under the direction of acclaimed producer, composer, and music director Ray Chew, and co-produced with his wife and business partner, Vivian Scott Chew, Carnegie Hall said: “This exciting program features New York radio legend and special guest host Cousin Brucie.”
The evening’s powerhouse lineup includes artists from the worlds of Broadway, disco, gospel, rock, Latin, and jazz, including Ali Stroker, Kid Capri, Donnie McClurkin, Joel Hoekstra, Tito Puente Jr., Vernon Reid, Kathy Sledge, and Min Kwon performing iconic songs to include “We Are Family,” “Oyo Como Va,” and “America the Beautiful,” among many others.
“We are thrilled to bring this spectacular program to the legendary stage of Carnegie Hall. It will be an unforgettable night uniting artists from disco, gospel, rock, Latin, jazz, and more in a celebration of the songs that have shaped America’s sound through the decades,” said Ray and Vivian Chew.
They said this performance is part of Carnegie Hall’s “United in Sound: America at 250” festival —taking place from January through July 2026—”which highlights the extraordinary musical riches that have evolved and flourished in the US as our country marks the 250th anniversary year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.”
In more than 35 concerts at the Hall, United in Sound festival programming features Broadway, film music, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, hip-hop, bluegrass, classical, and more, showcasing the very best of the American spirit through music.
Carnegie Hall said festival events hosted by partner organizations across New York City in spring 2026 celebrate different facets of American music, offering new avenues for discovery.
Carnegie Hall said its extraordinary collaboration with Ray and Vivian Chew began nearly two decades ago when Ray served as musical director for two concerts during Carnegie Hall’s festival, “Honor!”, celebrating the African American cultural legacy with artists spanning blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, soul, and beyond.
“The duo has since presented five incredible A Night of Inspiration productions in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage to packed audiences featuring a large-scale orchestra joined by high profile artists from the gospel and secular communities,” Carnegie Hall said.
It said the Chews have been involved in a number of other notable Carnegie Hall performances throughout the years.
They include A Tribute to Motown, paying homage to the distinctive soul sound of the legendary record label’s over 50-year legacy; a one-of-a kind participatory concert featuring gospel music’s biggest stars, Donnie McClurkin and Kim Burrell; The Music of Stevie Wonder, a sing-a-long performance honoring the iconic performer’s beloved songbook and featuring R&B stars Leela James and BeBe Winans; and Sounds of Change, featuring a stellar cast of artists performing folk songs and R&B classics that defined a generation, as part of Carnegie Hall’s citywide festival The ‘60s: The Years that Changed America.
In summer 2019, as part of the free Carnegie Hall Citywide concert series, Ray and Vivian brought A Night of Inspiration to Bryant Park for an uplifting evening under the stars; they presented Ray Chew Live!, another lively outdoor celebration, in Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park and the Robert F. Smith Center for the Performing Arts in fall 2021.
