Eugene Stephen Jay (born January 26, 1951) is an American bassist, best known for working with "Weird Al" Yankovic.
Early life
Jay was born Eugene Stephen Jay in Detroit, Michigan on January 26, 1951. He auditioned for "Weird Al" Yankovic in 1981 after answering an ad in the newspaper, and the two have worked together ever since. Jay can be heard or seen on all of Yankovic's albums, videos, and concerts.
He is also the founder 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 has also done extensive session work, released eight solo records on his own Ayarou label, and produced two albums for the WEA Nonesuch Explorer series.
Jay's background includes a BA and MM Graduate Fellowship in composition from the University of South Florida in 1972. After completing his studies, he 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 albums released by Warner/Nonesuch.
Discography
Nonesuch Explorer Series Ghana: Ancient Ceremonies, Songs, and Dance Music Dances of the World West Africa: Drum, Chant, and Instrumental MusicOriginally released in 1976 as Africa: Drum, Chant & Instrumental Music; see West Africa: Drum, Chant & Instrumental Music
With "Weird Al" Yankovic "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
Solo albums Sea Never Dry – 1997 Film Music – 1998 – a collection of 66 short excerpts from his original film and television scores Tangled Strings – 1999Prior to Tangled Strings, a cassette-only release titled 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 – 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 Off-Bass – 2025
With Ak & Zuie Non-Franciscan Duets
Compilations Deep Forest Late in the 20th Century: An Elektra / Nonesuch New Music Sampler
References
External links
Uncharted Territory from Global Bass Magazine, December 2001 Stephen Jay, Bass Player for Weird Al Yankovic, On Playing Live Through Mackie SR1530s from Bass Player Magazine, May 11, 2005