Claytoven Richardson (born May 23, 1956) is an American singer, instrumentalist, producer, songwriter, and author. His musical career spans nearly three decades, during which he has been awarded several gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards.
Early life, family and education Clayton D. Richardson was born on May 23, 1956, in Berkeley, California.
Larry Batiste, a childhood friend (and later business partner), accidentally fused Richardson's given name with that of the composer Beethoven to form the name "Claytoven."
Career In 1979 Claytoven made his recording studio and recording artist debut as a part of the group Bill Summers and Summers Heat. The group recorded one album for Prestige Records and three albums for MCA Records. The group saw moderate success with the songs, "Call It What You Want" and "Jam The Box".
After Summers Heat, Claytoven went on to become a session musician with his first major start singing background vocals for producer Narada Michael Walden on the hit George Benson single "Kisses in the Moonlight". His second recording session was as a guest vocalist and background vocalist on the breakout album "Duotones" for saxophonist, Kenny G. He has since performed on numerous gold and platinum recordings featuring Tevin Campbell, Michael Bolton, Elton John, Peabo Bryson, New Kids on the Block, Ricky Martin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion, and many others.
After being in the music business for some time he realized a need to increase the pool of well trained professional vocalists. So in 2000 Claytoven also stepped into the role of teacher by founding the "Studio Training Workshop for Vocalists", a workshop designed to help aspiring singers pursue a career as a professional recording vocalist by bridging the gap between the academic and professional music worlds. He currently teaches this and other workshops at San Francisco State University Music/Recording Industry Program and for various other music programs across the country. He now works for the City of Oakland running a local teen center, Digital Arts and Culinary Academy (DACA), along with fellow co-director and musician Andrea President.
In his efforts to further create growth in the professional music community, Richardson penned the book The Professional Studio Vocalist (ISBN 1598632795). He has been involved with many educational and literary projects, yet he remains active as a session musician.
Selected discography [ Claytoven Richardson] at Allmusic.com[ Claytoven] at Allmusic.com
Artist albums YearTitleArtist1979On SunshineBill Summers & Summers Heat1980Call It What You WantBill Summers & Summers Heat1981Jam the BoxBill Summers & Summers Heat1982SeventeenBill Summers & Summers Heat1983Private EyePrivate Eye1985NsideMakoto
Session work YearTitleArtist1982Keep It LiveThe Dazz Band1983Love for LoveThe Whispers1984Tiggi ClayTiggi Clay1986While the City Sleeps...George Benson1986DuotonesKenny G1986Fizzy QwickFizzy Qwick1987WhitneyWhitney Houston1988One Moment in TimeWhitney Houston1989Through the StormAretha Franklin1989Stay with MeRegina Belle1989So HappyEddie Murphy1989Night With Mr. CClarence Clemens1989A Collection: Greatest Hits...and MoreBarbra Streisand1990I'm Your Baby TonightWhitney Houston1990It's Supposed To Be FunLou Rawls1991So IntenseLisa Fischer1991Time, Love & TendernessMichael Bolton1991Inner ChildShanice1991ChristmasStephanie Mills1991Can You Stop The RainPeabo Bryson1992Heaven and EarthAl Jarreau1993DuetsElton John1993Soul DancingTaylor Dayne1993The One ThingMichael Bolton1993The Colour of My LoveCeline Dion1994Face The MusicNew Kids on the Block1995A Very Fine LoveDusty Springfield1995Take Me HigherDiana Ross1995My CherieSheena Easton1995Your Heart's in Good HandsAl Green1996Soulful StrutGrover Washington Jr.1996New World OrderCurtis Mayfield1996MiraclePuff Johnson1997ButterflyMariah Carey1997Open RoadsGary Barlow1997Junction SevenSteve Winwood1997Open RoadsKenny Loggins1997SensationalMichelle Gayle1998In & Out of LovePatti Austin1998These Are Special TimesCeline Dion1998A Rose Is Still a RoseAretha Franklin1999Marc AnthonyMarc Anthony1999On The 6Jennifer Lopez1999Lara FabianLara Fabian2000Sound LoadedRicky Martin2001RenaissanceLionel Richie2002A New Day Has ComeCeline Dion2005Blue HighwayAngela Strehli2010Just CharlieCharlie Wilson2010SoulsvilleHuey Lewis & the News2012YoRoberto Fonseca2013MemphisBoz Scaggs2013Sammy Hagar & FriendsSammy Hagar2015Brown EyesParis
Soundtracks YearTitle1987Beverly Hills Cop II1989Everybody's All American1992The Bodyguard1993Mr Wonderful1994Street Fighter1994Jason's Lyric1994Crooklyn1996The Associate1997A Smile Like Yours1997Hercules1997In & Out1997The Hunchback of Notre Dame1999Our Friend Martin2001Snow Dogs2005Rent
References