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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
Credits
From the nine-teeth in New York, through Los Angeles, in Hong Kong and Sydney, Scandinavia, France and UK up until today Johannes has had the pleasure of working with a long list of amazing people, venues, festivals, theatres and movie companies.
Writing music for Film, TV, Commercials
- A Court D'enfants - Shortage of children / nouvelle movie
- Adam & Victoria / romantic comedy
- Adopted from China / BBC
- Avec Eric / Netflix - reality documentary
- Bistik / short film
- Bridgestone / TV Trailer/commercial
- Budweiser / TV commercial
- Coca Cola / TV commercial
- Coop / TV commercial
- Dinda & Novi / feature animation
- Dinda & Novi / TV Series
- End of a Robe / short film
- Extrabladet / radio & TV commercial
- Innocence Remains / short film
- Jack & Jill / feature animation
- Jannie & Karsten / reality show
- Honda / TV commercial
- Lalandia / TV commercial
- Lego / TV commercial
- Lexus / TV commercial
- 恋恋不忘 - Loving never forgetting / Romance; Melodrama
- M&M Mars / TV commercial
- McDonald's / radio & TV commercial
- My Life / CBBC
- Off Beat / feature animation
- Oral B / TV commercial
- Oticon / 100 years anniversary reel
- Paranormality / TV Series
- Phantom of the Opera / animation
- Range Rover / TV commercial
- Ratatouille / Disney infomercial
- Rasmus Klump / show song
- Remember the Eyes / short film
- 7 Eleven / jingle radio spot
- Sterling Airways / onboard infomercial
- The Fabulous Three / short film
- Too Late / short film
- Une vie déportée / nouvelle movie
- Vip og Viktor / additional theme song
- Xl Byg / radio & TV commercial
Published in USA: Diner Music & Current Music. Japan: Groovers Music. UK: Motus Music. Italy: Machiavelli. Spain: Vi Musica.
France: CDM - French trade. Australia: Adrenalin. Scandinavia, Polen og Russia: Apollo Music
Before moving to USA Johannes wrote music for a few children play. In New York he was introduced to dancer and choreographer Alexandre Proia, a from NYC Ballet that led to writing for dance performances. Playing jazz piano several nights a week across from Metropolitan Opera house, Johannes met many great connections in the Musical world. Writing for shows and musicals is quite different from film scoring, one reason is of course that its mainly songs and interludes leading to a song and its performed live, another, that its often focused on a smaller ensemble having to create all the effects as there's usually no pre recorded sfx.
Musicals & Theatre
- Broadway Show / hosted by TV Rickie Lake
- Labyrinth Theatre / SoHo NY
- Holbaek Egns Teater / Denmark
- FRB's Musical Teater / DK
- Hillsong Church /Training Camp
- City Kids Washington DC
- NY theatre Ballet / choreography by Alexandre Prroia
TV Shows
Coach for contestants at X-Factor 2005-07
Coach for contestants at Voice 2007
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Gratitude and Acknowledgement
Before stepping fully into the world of composing for film and concert stages, Johannes pursued his first love — the piano. It remains both a performing instrument and a faithful companion in the composing process, a place where ideas are born and shaped. From his early days in New York, he has carried deep gratitude for the opportunities to perform in legendary clubs, festivals, and concert halls — always in the company of extraordinary musicians.
Those years offered not only unforgettable collaborations, but also lessons in humility, discipline, and joy. From intimate jazz clubs to the grandeur of Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the Lincoln Memorial, Johannes acknowledges the rare privilege of standing on stages shared with voices and talents that shaped entire generations.
Performing as pianist, songwriter, and producer, he has been fortunate to make music alongside:
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Stevie Wonder
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Michael Bolton
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The City Kids / Performance, Camp & rehearsals
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Vocal Corner Store / Performance, Camp & rehearsals
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Natasha Bedingfield
With guest stars and hosts including Demi Moore, Rosie O'Donnell, Iman, and Ricki Lake, and featured across France, Spain, Scandinavia, New York, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Paris, and Copenhagen — at venues such as The Village Vanguard, Le Duc des Lombards, Montmartre, and Tivoli.
He is especially grateful for encounters with jazz and Latin legends, many of which carry vivid personal memories:
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Tony Bennett — met at Matteo’s in Los Angeles, an old classic restaurant where Frank Sinatra was a regular.
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NHØP — took private lessons at his home in Ishøj Denmark.
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Tito Puente — guest teacher at The New School.
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Ray Brown — invited Johannes to sit in at a jazz gig near Union Square.
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Jim Hall — jammed together at the famous 55 Bar in New York.
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Charlie Haden — invited him to join a Scandinavia tour.
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Roy Hargrove — met and jammed in New Orleans.
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Chico Hamilton, Reggie Workman, Cecil Bridgewater and Cecil McBee
— shared many wonderful classes together as faculty at The New School. -
Clarence Penn — first met in Manhattan, later performed several gigs together.
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Lonnie Plaxico — the first bass player Johannes brought to his piano gig at O’Neal’s in Manhattan.
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Brad Mehldau — fellow student at The New School.
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Bill Clinton — guest of honour playing saxophone at a New School Symposium.
And in the world of rock:
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Klaus Meine (Scorpions) — met at a private party in Hollywood.
Each of these encounters is remembered not only as a line on a résumé, but as a moment of shared humanity and artistry. Johannes remains deeply grateful to have worked, learned, and created alongside such extraordinary people — experiences that continue to inspire his own path in music today.