Stephen Bray

Short Biography

Stephen Bray (born December 23, 1956) is an American songwriter, drummer, and record producer hailing from Detroit. Bray is best known for his collaboration with Madonna. Bray began studying music through private instruction in Detroit, and continued his education at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Bray owns and operates Saturn Sound recording studios and the Soultone Records record label. Bray met Madonna during her pre-stardom when she attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor for dance. The pair went to New York and became part of the band The Breakfast Club. Eventually they began writing songs together on their own, and when Madonna obtained her recording contract with Sire Records, she continued collaborating with Bray.Together, they have written and produced some of the biggest hit songs of the 1980s, including several of Madonna`s biggest hits. The songs Bray and Madonna composed often followed a distinctive structure, many of which repeats the song`s second verse and bridge before fading out with the chorus. Their partnership appears to have concluded with their work on Madonna`s Like a Prayer album.Bray still holds the master recordings to many unreleased Madonna Songs, including those on the album Pre-Madonna, and is married to movie producer Stephanie Allain, who produced Hustle & Flow and Black Snake Moan. Bray made his Broadway debut in 2005 as composer and lyricist for the Broadway version of the Alice Walker book, The Color Purple. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his work on the show.