Steve Jay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steve Jay
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Eugene Stephen Jay |
| Born | January 26, 1951 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Bassist |
| Instruments | Bass guitar, banjo, guitar, keyboards, flute, recorder, vocals |
Eugene Stephen Jay (born January 26, 1951) is an American musician. He is best known as a bassist who has worked with the famous parody artist "Weird Al" Yankovic for many years. Steve Jay also plays many other instruments, including the banjo, guitar, and flute.
Contents
Who is Steve Jay?
Early Life and Musical Journey
Steve Jay was born Eugene Stephen Jay in Detroit, Michigan on January 26, 1951. He loved music from a young age. He studied music composition at the University of South Florida, earning two degrees.
After college, Steve traveled to Niger in West Africa. He spent two and a half years there, learning about traditional drumming. He even recorded many sounds from local ceremonies and dances. These recordings later became three albums released by Warner/Nonesuch.
Working with "Weird Al" Yankovic
In 1981, Steve Jay saw an advertisement in a newspaper. It was for a bassist to play with a rising star named "Weird Al" Yankovic. Steve auditioned and got the job! Since then, he has worked with "Weird Al" on all his albums, music videos, and live concerts.
Other Music Projects
Besides his work with "Weird Al," Steve Jay is also part of a music group called Ak & Zuie. This duo, which he started with Pete Gallagher, plays "ethno-funk" music. This style mixes sounds from different cultures with funk music.
Steve has also created music for over 50 TV shows and specials shown across the country on PBS. Some of these shows even won special awards called George Foster Peabody Awards. He has also played on many other artists' recordings and released several of his own solo albums.
Steve Jay's Music Albums
Nonesuch Explorer Series Albums
These albums feature recordings Steve Jay made during his time studying music in West Africa.
- Ghana: Ancient Ceremonies, Songs, and Dance Music
- Dances of the World
- West Africa: Drum, Chant, and Instrumental Music
Albums with "Weird Al" Yankovic
Steve Jay has played bass on all of "Weird Al" Yankovic's studio albums.
- "Weird Al" Yankovic
- "Weird Al" Yankovic In 3-D
- Dare to Be Stupid
- Polka Party!
- Even Worse
- UHF - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff
- Off the Deep End
- Alapalooza
- Bad Hair Day
- Running with Scissors
- Poodle Hat
- Straight Outta Lynwood
- Alpocalypse
- Mandatory Fun
Steve Jay's Solo Albums
Steve Jay has released many albums on his own, showing off his unique musical style.
- Sea Never Dry – 1997
- Film Music – 1998
- Tangled Strings – 1999
- Self Avoiding Random Walk – 2000
- Outer Voice – 2004
- Rounder Gaze – 2004
- Friction – 2004
- Plus – 2004
- Physical Answer – 2008
- Chaos, Clouds and Tongue – 2011
- Things Change – 2013
- El Natural 7 – 2016
- Spontaneous Symmetry – 2016
- When One Remains – 2016
- So Do I Sadie – 2018
- Vita Beata – 2022
Albums with Ak & Zuie
- Non-Franciscan Duets
Compilation Albums
These albums feature songs from various artists, including Steve Jay's work.
- Deep Forest
- Late in the 20th Century: An Elektra / Nonesuch New Music Sampler
