Ray L. Alexander

Ray L. Alexander passed away on May 17, 2026 in Charlotte. Ray grew up in Charlotte and attended Myers Park High School. After high school, he attended the University of Kentucky and the Cincinnati Music Conservatory. An accomplished musician, Ray began playing the trumpet at the age of 10 and launched his professional music career at just 16, performing with the Charlotte-area regional band, The Riverias.

After college, Ray’s remarkable career in the music industry spanned several decades and took him to New Orleans, Las Vegas, and New York. Along the way, he toured with numerous big-band orchestras and performed alongside many notable musical artists and Motown entertainers.

Ray eventually retired after a long career as the horn-section contractor for The Four Tops, while also leading his own band, the Ray Alexander Orchestra. Despite his success and the many places his career took him, Ray never forgot his Charlotte roots—or the talented horn musicians in the Charlotte area. Whenever he had the opportunity to contract musicians for a performance, he made a point of bringing his fellow Charlotte-area horn players along.

Ray was survived by wife, Janice, who passed shortly after him, his daughter Heather (Jeff) Laney, his son, Isaac (Christine), eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and his sister, Diane Alexander. A celebration of life will be held at a future date.