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Johannes began playing piano at age 4 and composing music at age 16, taking a passionate interest in contemporary music, writing for small ensembles and jazz big bands, he moved to New York at the age of 19 to study at the New School where he soon developed a taste for writing film music.
Johannes has had the privilege of performing with legends such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Bolton, Charlie Haden, Ray Brown, Roy Hargrove in venues such as Madison square Garden, Apollo Theatre and in Washington DC for an audience of 250,000 people.
He has written music for TV and Film in Europe US, Australia and Asia. Including Nickelodeon, New York Theatre Ballet, Zentropa, HBO, Coca Cola, Lego and Nike and a numerous of artists, independent production and theatre companies.
As arranger he has worked on Disney, Warner Bros as well as both arranging and producing jazz and pop artists albums and featuring as piano player on many albums. Composer & pianist Johannes Steinray create
music for Film, TV, Musical, Dance-Shows, Bands and Orchestra
6. My Country - Country music ballads with Orchestra
August 2025
Watch & Listen on you chosen platform
Across the Universe – Orchestral R&B Cover | Johannes Steinray feat. John (Last name stil anonymous). A demo made for you and the Royal Philharmonic Concertmaster, inspired by the words of Erik Chapman.. Read on!
This is the second in my miniseries of reimagined classics — timeless songs given new life through lush orchestration and fresh genre blends.
For this episode, I take John Lennon’s Across the Universe — written in early 1968 after the phrase “words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup” popped into his head one night.. I transformed it into a soulful R&B ballad wrapped in the grandeur of a full orchestra. Encouraged by Erik Chapman, Concertmaster of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who litterally said to me: Why don't you make some demos on Elvis or Beatles songs with your arrangements, and bring to us? YES, why not.. So I created this arrangement to bring out the song’s meditative beauty and emotional depth.
Vocals – rich, heartfelt, and powerful by John who has chosen to keep his lastname secret a bit longer.. But that also leaves room for you!! If you are an amazing singer, please get in touch!!
Orchestra: Full symphonic arrangement, recorded live and midi in London.
Arrangement/Production: Johannes Steinray
If you missed the first in the miniseries, scroll down to my orchestral reimagining of Brian McKnight’s One Last Cry — blending jazz, R&B, and classical textures in a deeply emotional reinterpretation, or Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mia2t6T6HDc
Join me on this journey as I pull back the curtain on my busy studio, sharing orchestrations and collaborations that bridge genres and generations.
#AcrossTheUniverse #BeatlesCover #OrchestralRNB #RoyalPhilharmonic #ErikChapman #JohnLennon #Orchestra #RnB #BrianMcKnight #OneLastCry #JohannesSteinray #MusicArrangement
Behind the Scenes of UGLY – Join the Workshop in Copenhagen
As part of the journey toward next year’s major concert performance of UGLY at London’s Royal Albert Hall, I’m hosting a special workshop in Copenhagen – a unique opportunity to step behind the scenes of the creative process and experience the making of a new musical from the inside.
Over the past month, I’ve been deep in the studio, traveling to Denmark, California & Italy, developing new material and refining core songs and scores, and holding exciting meetings with potential guest teachers and collaborators who bring world-class experience to the project:
Nick Cooper – Renowned vocal coach and producer who’s worked with Beyoncé, Zendaya, JoJo, and Khalid. Nick and I previously collaborated in Los Angeles at Vocal Corner Store (VCS), where I was guest coach and Musical Director. We worked behind the scenes of The X Factor and Camp Rock 2, including preparing Alyson Stoner and running repertoire for the Jonas Brothers, Zendaya, and others. Nick is a master at drawing out authentic emotional power from singers while maintaining rock-solid technical excellence.
Alexandre Proia – Former principal dancer with New York City Ballet, and a brilliant actor and director in his own right. Trained under George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, Alexandre brings rare artistic discipline and emotional precision to movement and storytelling. His ability to translate feeling into physicality will be central to shaping the onstage world of UGLY – particularly its darker, mythic elements.
Erik Chapman – Concertmaster of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Erik is one of the UK’s leading violinists and a master interpreter of orchestral music. His understanding of how to unify ensemble sound with dramatic narrative brings invaluable depth to the musical architecture of UGLY. Erik’s role in the upcoming Royal Albert Hall concert will be key in shaping the musical's emotional landscape from the orchestra pit to the back row.
Here’s a short video update featuring the ongoing development of "Beneath the Surface", one of the show's core songs.
In the video, you’ll hear three interpretations:
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Two versions in the key of C – one sung by a powerful, cinematic voice reminiscent of Céline Dion, and another performed by a Danish vocalist, created for the new work-in-progress version I det mørkeste dyb (In the Darkest Depths).
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One version in E♭, tailored for Leona Lewis’s vocal range, and performed by a singer whose tone and expression closely echo Leona’s emotionally charged delivery.
This Copenhagen workshop is more than a preview. It’s a collaborative, behind-the-scenes experience where you’ll explore how vocal choices, language, and interpretation reshape a song’s meaning and impact. Whether you're a singer, composer, dancer, or simply passionate about storytelling through music, this is your invitation to join the journey.
Dates and location will be announced shortly. If you'd like to attend or know someone who should be in the room, please reach out.
FIRST in a miniserie of re-imagined classics, I created a full orchestral arrangement of Bryan McKnight’s classic “One Last Cry” — Through my lens as a composer, blending jazz, R&B, and classical elements.
This is my original orchestration, sparked by a conversation with a friend from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who asked me to write a few arrangements for a possible album project. (Yeahhh!!)
It’s just the beginning… of a sneak behind the curtain of my bussy studio sessions of writing materials..
#BrianMcKnight #RoyalPhilharmonicOrchestra #JohannesSteinray #Composing #MusicArrangement #MusicMagic #LiveMusic #BehindTheScenes #VocalPerformance #Jazz #RandB #ArtistAtWork #Piano #ClassicalMusic #OneLastCry
JULY 2025
🌿 OUT NOW: Secrets of an Ancient Glimmerstone Cave — an enchanted overture to flower festivals, flight lessons, and one accidental portal 🌿
Imagine this: Dinda hears a whisper. Not from the flowers (this time), but from Drako — a secret cave in the Glimmerstone ridge. It’s probably forbidden. Definitely mysterious. So naturally, she grabs Novi and they immediately go check it out. Welcome to the beginning of everything.
That cave wasn’t just a cave. It was a shimmering, echoing, moss-draped portal. And through it stepped Zanna, part girl, part mystery, part chaos in wing-training. Which meant, of course, the only proper welcome was a crash course in how to be a fairy... and a soundtrack to match.
Secrets of an Ancient Glimmerstone Cave is the musical core of that moment — wide-eyed wonder wrapped in a velvet ribbon of orchestral mischief. Think: Henry Mancini gets lost in a flower field. Gershwin packs a picnic with Debussy. All of it scored under a full Disney moon.
It starts soft. Curious. You can almost hear Dinda’s wings brushing stone, Novi whispering “This is so cool” in the background. Then: a sweep of melody, glowing reeds, a sparkle of woodwinds like light bouncing off wet cave walls. And deep beneath it, a sense of something... ancient. Watching. Waiting.
🎧 Whether you’re here for the magic, the mystery, or to relive the moment Zanna tried to fly into a tree and called it progress — this track is for you. This is what happens when a cave hides a portal, a festival awaits a queen, and best friends turn secrets into soundtracks.
#SecretsOfGlimmerstone #PortalMusic #DindaAndNovi #ZannaArrives #FlowerFestivalAnthem #WingsAndWonder #NotJustAnotherTree #DisneyButWithMoss #TheFireReedKnows
JUNE 2025
🌸 OUT NOW: “The Flower Sessions” (and other small sonic bouquets) — a behind-the-scenes look at composing jingles for I Love Flowers 🌸
Picture this: you’ve just had a creative meeting that turns into a burger in the rain, which turns into three rounds of beer at an old pub that may or may not be haunted by 19th-century jazz ghosts. You’re soaked, a little tipsy, and you suddenly start rapping about peonies.
Welcome to the origin story of the I Love Flowers jingle collection.
My good friend Alpha Høilund Diallo Cruise — designer, visionary, boutique florist, and all-around stylish human, hired me to write a theme for his gorgeous new shop in Copenhagen. One jingle became four. Then came a longer piece. Then, naturally, a full-on gangsta flower rap. Because subtlety has never been our shared strong suit.
The lyrics for that rap started June 4, somewhere between the meeting and the burger, in the rain outside White Lamb Café, Kultorvet 5. (Fun fact: the building, Hvide Lam, is one of the few survivors of the English bombardment in 1807. So yes, it’s old. And yes, it probably heard me rhyme “tight” with “bouquet height.”)
Every track in the project is tailored to the brand’s vibe — fun, fabulous, elegant, a bit gay, and unapologetically lush. Think: petals with attitude. Synths with taste. Basslines that flirt.
🎧 Whether you’re here for the camp, the class, or just want to hear what happens when you try to make a bossa nova loop feel “florist-forward,” stay tuned.
This is what happens when flowers meet music, Copenhagen meets disco, and friends turn meetings into magic.
#ILoveFlowers #TheFlowerSessions #PetalPop #RapInTheRain #ModernFloristryAnthems #HvideLamHeardItFirst
🎺 OUT NOW: "The Trumpet Incident" (and other stories) — the debut release from the podcast-album hybrid: Modern Frequencies 🎺
Picture this: a couple who declined a friendly invitation and have now completely run out of excuses. They’re trapped — flanked by either blissfully brainwashed iPhone-scrolling acquaintances or sweet, undercooked souls whose idea of a splurge is garlic bread at a mid-range chain restaurant. This track captures the slow, spiraling dread of social obligation, set to brass.
Modern Frequencies is a narrated score series fusing music, storytelling, and light existential panic — each episode-album a small study in moments that should have gone better. Or at least less loudly.
🫖 If you enjoy minor keys, emotional limping, or the sound of someone defending free jazz to a visibly tired in-law, “The Trumpet Incident” is your sort of awkward.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Deezer, Amazon, and wherever else algorithms send the overthinkers.
#ModernFrequencies #TheTrumpetIncident #SocialHorrorJazz #AlanBennettEnergy #Muttercore
🎵 OUT NOW: "Jupiter’s Dream" — the second single (se below) from my
upcoming album Monster Scores 🎵
Meet Jupiter — the loyal ghost-dog from Paranormality, a wild mix of spooky, funny, and oddly heartfelt. This track captures his dreamlike loyalty and spectral charm, wrapped in swirling strings, eerie piano, and a touch of mischief.
Monster Scores is my new cinematic album, built from the strange and beautiful world of Paranormality, created by the brilliant Larry Whitaker (Ghost Train Pictures).
👻 If you're into ghost-dogs, haunted tangos, or just love a bit of Tim Burton-meets-jazz, start with Jupiter’s Dream. The first two singles are out now—full album coming soon.
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Amazon, YouTube, Deezer, iTunes, iHeart & Apple-music etc.
#MonsterScores #Paranormality #JupitersDream #GhostDogVibes
🎵 OUT NOW: "Nosferatu's Heart" — the first single from my upcoming album Monster Scores 🎵
Johannes Steinray is a seasoned composer, musician, and creative director, known for his genre-blending works in musical theater, film, and orchestral scores. With a diverse background that spans jazz, pop, and classical music, Johannes brings a unique touch to every project. His work has been showcased in live performances, film scores, and theatrical productions, blending deep musicality with innovative storytelling. Follow his journey as he continues to create captivating soundtracks that transport audiences into imaginative worlds.
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Amazon, YouTube, Deezer, iTunes, iHeart & Apple-music etc.
#MonsterScores #Paranormality #Vampire #Ghosts
MAY 2025
“Flower Dance Suite – Zanna: Whisper of Volcano Isle” is a magical new single by Johannes Steinray, performed live with full orchestra. (See also song for this movie below) This cinematic piece blends sweeping melodies, playful motifs, and bold rhythms to bring the story of Zanna and her mystical isle to life. Featuring rich orchestration, vibrant character themes, and epic dynamics, the music invites listeners into a world of wonder, danger, and hope. A perfect fusion of animation and symphonic storytelling.
🎧 Now streaming on all platforms. Amazon, YouTube, Deezer, iTunes, iHeart & Apple-music etc.
🎼 Original music by Johannes Steinray
🌋 Inspired by the upcoming animated adventure
#FlowerDanceSuite #ZannaMovie #WhisperOfVolcanoIsle #JohannesSteinray #LiveOrchestra #CinematicMusic #AnimationSoundtrack #EpicFantasyScore #OrchestralMagic #MNCAnimation #OriginalScore #FantasyMusic #FilmComposer #MusicForAnimation #SoundtrackRelease
🎵 The Adventure of Jacob & the Purple Hat – Official Rap Release 🎵
Step into a world where misty harbours whisper secrets, pirates prowl the docks, and a glowing frog just might be the key to everything.
This isn’t just a rap — it’s a lyrical odyssey.
Follow young Jacob as he leaves his sleepy village at dawn, boards a three-mast ship with his father, and walks a tightrope of danger and wonder through shadowy cities and enchanted forests.
What begins as a quiet morning turns into a full-blown quest filled with thieves, charlatans, and magic lurking in every corner. And then... the purple hat appears.
🔥 Spoken-word meets cinematic hip hop
🎤 Old-school flow with new-school storytelling
🌊 Fantasy meets reality in a beat-driven epic
If you like Kendrick Lamar meets Life of Pi, or Hamilton meets The Princess Bride, you’re in the right place.
#JacobAndThePurpleHat #FantasyRap #EpicRapStory #MusicalJourney #CinematicRap #AnimatedAdventure #ConceptAlbum #LyricVideo #HipHopFantasy
APRIL 2025
Album Title: Vid Erum Stormrriinn
Artist: Johannes Steinray
A thunderous journey into the mythic soul of Scandinavia. From "Sons of the Northfire" blends the raw power of Viking saga with the reverence of a national anthem, delivered in the ancient fornyrðislag meter of the Edda. With cinematic orchestrations, primal rhythms, and haunting chants in Old Norse, the album conjures a lost world of battle, bloodlines, and the eternal ice-fire of the northern spirit. This is not nostalgia — this is resurrection.
Recommended for fans of Wardruna, Dead Can Dance, and the sound of distant horns over fjords at dawn.
Verse
Sverð sungu sigr,
blóð stein dreifði.
Úlfar horfðu hljóð,
vindr beit bein.
Eldar óttu fóðruðu,
frost tók frændur.
Stál mælti þögn,
stormr sagði synd.
Verse
Heitstrenging djúp,
dómr ríður skjót.
Skildir brotna,
ský brenna fram.
Trommur kalla þrumu,
goð girnast sárs.
Konungar falla gnýjandi,
hrafnar ríkja.
Chorus
Rís, norðr eldr,
stormbundið ljóð!
Syngjum um víga,
týnda og sterka.
Blóð fyrir heiður,
stál fyrir drengskap
Við erum stormrinn,
við felumst ei.
What if ads didn’t just sell—but told a story?
I’ve always believed marketing should be an experience, not just noise. So, I created a cinematic audio commercial—no video, just pure sound, storytelling, and atmosphere. Inspired by a real-life spy-thriller-style encounter with a realtor, this piece turns a frustrating moment into a sharp, stylish ad concept that any business can use.
🎙️ Voice-over that pulls you in
🎼 Music and SFX that set the scene
🎬 A script that feels like a movie
This isn’t just an ad—it’s a new way to market, built for brands that want to stand out. Who’s ready to sound like a blockbuster?
#CinematicAudio #StorytellingMarketing #SoundSells
New Album: A Journey Through Male Ballads
Get ready for a soul-stirring collection of powerful male ballads in this upcoming album. Blending deep emotions with cinematic melodies, each song tells a story of resilience, love, and transformation.
From this intimate behind-the-scenes session comes "I Let Them Go", a heartfelt anthem of release and self-liberation. With raw lyrics and soaring melodies, it captures the moment of breaking free from the past and stepping into one’s own power.
Stay tuned—this album is set to redefine the modern male ballad.
MARCH 2025
Mud & Rain is a raw, whiskey-soaked dive into heartbreak, betrayal, and the weight of a world that often turns its back on those who need it most. Blending gritty blues, outlaw country, and a touch of grunge, the album carries the weary voice of someone drinking through the storm—both personal and societal.
With lyrics that cut deep, it’s an anthem for the lost, the forgotten, and the millions left out in the cold. Beneath the booze-fueled sorrow lies a stark truth: the suffering we drown isn’t always self-inflicted—it’s built by a system of greed, corruption, and indifference. Mud & Rain is both a confession and a callout, a barroom lament and a battle cry.
Perfect for late-night drunks, deep thinkers, and anyone who’s ever found themselves staring up at the sky, searching for something better.
MARCH 2025
Zanna's Songbook is out on Spotify etc. in just 9 days! But you can buy it here NOW 🎶🔥
Get ready to groove with Bon Bon, Jungle Jam, and the fresh new version of Learn How to Fly—straight from your favourite characters of
Zanna: Whisper of Volcano Isle! 🌋✨
💃 Dance your day away with the island rhythms!
🕺 Moonwalk like Drako under the tropical stars!
🎤 Sing along with the most magical voices from the Isle!
🔹 Behind-the-scenes footage
🔹 Exclusive piano performances
🔹 Meet the singer behind the hit song!
Adventure, rhythm & magic await don’t miss it! 🎵✨
Links in 9 days
Spotify: [Link]
Apple Music: [Link]
iTunes: [Link]
Bandcamp: [Link]
Tidal: [Link]
Deezer: [Link]
Amazon: [Link]
Social Media:
YouTube, Instagram, Facebook & TikTok
FEBRUARY 2025
Dumbo's Gumbo Groove
- Listen to the magic of old-school Disney blended with Bruno Mars.
Inspired from my childhood & my time leading The Swinging Demons 12 piece big band in New Orleans, where jazz and storytelling go hand in hand.
JANUARY 2025
These Songs Will Be Stuck In Your Head!
Learn how to fly
Become Queen
Coming Soon: Watch exclusive behind-the-scenes moments with me, the director, incredible singers in the studio, the orchestra in full swing, and glimpses of my creative process. Stay tuned!
Rating: PG. Runtime: 1h 45min
Release Date: Indonesia 2 february 2025 Scheduled release: Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Cambodia. US & EU ?
Genre:Action-Adventure, Animation, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Zanna, a fearless and inventive young girl who becomes separated from her family and unexpectedly enters a magical world beyond her imagination. Accompanied by her new fairy friends, Dinda and Novi, Zanna embarks on a daring adventure to confront the malevolent Atlas, who threatens the harmony of this enchanted realm.With breathtaking visuals, thrilling discoveries, and unforgettable music. An exhilarating tale of courage, friendship, and the quest to restore balance between nature and humanity.
Directed by
Larry Whitaker
Produced by
Esaf Andreas & Mandegani Duniarto
Writer Doug Sinclair
Voice Over Cast Indonesia
Alya Nurshabrina Ghea Indrawari Brooklyn Alif Rea Ayu Dyah Pasha Robby Purba
Music Score & Songs by Award-winning composer
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Become a Queen (Don't Try to Walk So Fast)
Performed by Krysta
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Performed by Larry Whitaker
Learn How to Fly
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Performed by Mandy Dickson
Why Do I Feel So Blue (Fisherman Village Song)
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Performed by Freja Lockenwitz
Indonesian Cast
AUGUST 2024
