Join Joe Kelley as he welcomes the renowned bassist and multi-instrumentalist Stephen Jay, known for his work with "Weird Al" Yankovic and his impressive solo career. Stephen discusses his recent double album releases, "El Natural Seven" and "Spontaneous Symmetry," highlighting the unique blend of world influences and innovative polyrhythmic grooves that define his music. With a career that includes collaborations with jazz legend Wayne Shorter and numerous Grammy-winning projects, Stephen shares insights into his creative process and the challenges of balancing touring with personal projects. He also reflects on the joy of performing in front of appreciative audiences and the magic of musical collaboration with his sons, who are also composers. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with musical anecdotes and a deep dive into the life of a versatile artist.

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Takeaways:

• Stephen Jay discusses the creative process behind his dual album release this year.
• Despite busy touring schedules, musicians like Stephen find time for personal projects.
• The contrasting styles of Stephen's two albums showcase his versatility as a musician.
• Stephen shares insights about collaborating with notable artists like Wayne Shorter.
• His experiences working on PBS projects have expanded his creativity in composition.
• The upcoming tour with Weird Al Yankovic will feature more original music and less theatrics.

Joe Kelly welcomes the incredibly talented Stephen Jay, a bassist and multi-instrumentalist known for his work with Weird Al Yankovic and his own innovative solo projects. In a lively conversation, they explore the creative process behind Stephen's two recent album releases, 'El Natural Seven' and 'Spontaneous Symmetry'. Stephen reveals that despite his extensive touring schedule with Weird Al, he has been able to carve out time to work on his music, showcasing his ability to balance performance and composition. Both albums represent distinct facets of his musical identity, with 'Spontaneous Symmetry' leaning towards experimental funk and instrumental pieces, while 'El Natural Seven' features vocals and a richer, more layered sound. Stephen also discusses the inspiration behind his tracks, including a unique collaboration with his son, Miles, highlighting the familial connection to his music.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• WVOF
• Weird Al Yankovic
• PBS
• RIAA