American Idol Names Ray Chew as New Music Director

Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez won't be the only new additions to this season of American Idol:  Fox's reality juggernaut is bringing Ray Chew in as the show's new music director, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

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Chew, 42, has previously worked as bandleader and musical director for the competition series The Singing Bee and NBC's It's Showtime at the Apollo. He also curated the music for the 2008 Democratic National Convention and the 2009 inaugural ball for President Barack Obama.

Chew got his start as a player on the Saturday Night Live band and at New York's Apollo theater in the 1980s. He replaces longtime music director Rickey Minor, who left at the end of Season 9 to lead The Tonight Show band after Kevin Eubanks' departure.

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Aside from the new faces at the judging table, Chew also joins Idol's new music mentor, producer and record company chairman Jimmy Iovine.

Season 10 of American Idol premieres on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 8/7c on Fox.