Stephen "Steve" Jay (born January 26, (year unknown) in Florida) is a bassist best known for working with the singer-songwriter "Weird Al" Yankovic. Steve auditioned for Al after answering an ad in the newspaper, and the two have worked together ever since. Steve can be heard and seen on all of Al's albums, videos, and concerts. January 26 is the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... A bassist is a musician who plays a double bass or electric bass (also referred to as bass guitar). ... Alfred Matthew Weird Al Yankovic (born October 23, 1959 in Downey, California) is an American musician best known for his parodies of contemporary radio hits. ...

Steve is also the founder of the of the ethno-funk duo, Ak & Zuie, with Pete Gallagher. He has scored more than fifty nationally broadcast PBS specials and series episodes, including three George Foster Peabody Award winners, and contributed to several feature films. He's also done extensive session work, released eight solo records on his own Ayarou label, and produced two albums for the WEA Nonesuch Explorer series. PBS re-directs here; for alternate uses see PBS (disambiguation) PBS logo The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is a non-profit public broadcasting television service with 349 member TV stations in the United States. ... The George Foster Peabody Awards, more commonly known as simply the Peabody Awards, are annual awards given for excellence in radio and television broadcasting and cable television within the United States. ...

Biography

Steve's background includes a BA and MM Graduate Fellowship in composition from the University of South Florida in 1972. After completing his studies, Steve went to Niger and spent two and half years studying drumming. Selections from his archival field recordings of traditional West African ceremonies, dances, and solo performances were made into three highly acclaimed albums released by Warner/Nonesuch. Weakened by malaria and intestinal parasites, he eventually had to return to the United States.

Stephen relocated to Los Angeles, and where he eventually hooked up with Weird Al. He continues to travel, studying folk music and collecting wind, string, and percussion instruments from Asia and the South Pacific.

Trivia

• Steve originally came to Los Angeles to audition for Frank Zappa, in which he was given a complex piece to sight read. After that failed audition, he auditioned for "Weird Al" Yankovic and has been playing with him ever since.

Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21, 1940 – December 4, 1993) was an American composer, guitarist, singer and satirist. ... Alfred Matthew Weird Al Yankovic (born October 23, 1959 in Downey, California) is an American musician best known for his parodies of contemporary radio hits. ...

Discography

Nonesuch Explorer Series

• Africa: Drum, Chant, and Instrumental Music
• Ghana: Ancient Ceremonies, Songs, and Dance Music
• Dances of the World

With Weird Al

• "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
• A 12th album is currently in production with an expected release in 2006.

Weird Al Yankovic is the first album by song parodist Weird Al Yankovic, released in 1983. ... Weird Al Yankovic in 3-D, sometimes referred to simply as In 3-D, is the second [[album (music)|album by song parodist Weird Al Yankovic, released in 1984. ... Dare to Be Stupid is the third album by song parodist Weird Al Yankovic, released in 1985. ... Polka Party! is the fourth album by song parodist Weird Al Yankovic, released in 1986. ... Even Worse is the fifth album by song parodist Weird Al Yankovic, released in 1988. ... UHF - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack And Other Stuff (1989), sometimes referred to simply as UHF, is the soundtrack to the comedy cult film UHF, by Weird Al Yankovic. ... Off The Deep End is the seventh album by song parodist Weird Al Yankovic, released in 1992. ... Alapalooza is the eighth album by song parodist Weird Al Yankovic, released in 1993. ... Bad Hair Day is the ninth album by song parodist Weird Al Yankovic, released in 1996. ... Running with Scissors is the tenth album by song parodist Weird Al Yankovic, released in 1999. ... Poodle Hat is the eleventh album by song parodist Weird Al Yankovic, released in 2003 (see 2003 in music). ...

Solo Albums

• Sea Never Dry
• Film Music - a collection of 66 short excerpts from his original film and television scores
• Tangled Strings -- prior to Tangled Strings, a cassette only release called Whatever It Is was made available, containing many of the same songs which were later released on Tangled Strings. When Tangled Strings was released, Whatever It Is was retired.
• Self Avoiding Random Walk
• Outer Voice
• Rounder Gaze
• Friction
• Plus

With Ak & Zuie

• Non-Franciscan Duets

Compilations

• Deep Forest
• Late In The 20th Century: An Elektra/Nonesuch New Music Sampler

External links

• http://www.stephen.com/
• http://www.weirdal.com/
• Steve Jay, What a guy! - fan site
• Stephen Jay entry on Dean Guitars website
• Uncharted Territory from Global Bass Magazine, December 2001
• The theory of Harmonic Rhythm from Bass Inside Magazine, August 2002
• Stephen Jay: Music and other Miracles from Bass Inside Magazine, September 2002
• Stephen Jay: When Reality Just Isn't Enough! from Bass Inside Magazine, May 2003
• Stephen Jay, Bass Player for Weird Al Yankovic, On Playing Live Through Mackie SR1530s from Bass Player Magazine, May 11, 2005