Jay Joseph Graydon (born October 8, 1949, Burbank, California) is an American songwriter, recording artist, guitarist, singer, keyboardist, producer, arranger, and recording engineer. He is the winner of two Grammy Awards (in the R&B category) with twelve Grammy nominations, among them the title "Producer of the Year" and "Best Engineered Recording". He has mastered many different music styles and genres, and his recordings have been featured on record, film, television and the stage.
History Graydon made his singing debut on his second birthday on the "Joe Graydon Show," the first music/talk television show in Los Angeles, hosted by his father, Joe Graydon.
During and for a brief time after his college days, Graydon played in the Don Ellis Band, whose style can be described as experimental post-bop jazz. He can be heard on the live double album Don Ellis at Fillmore and the studio albums The New Don Ellis Band Goes Underground, Connection and Soaring.
L. A. session musician From the late 1960s to late 1970s Graydon was a session musician in Los Angeles, working with such artists as Gino Vannelli, Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, The Jackson Five, Alice Cooper, Cheap Trick, Al Jarreau, Christopher Cross, Ray Charles, Cher, Joe Cocker, Marvin Gaye, Hall & Oates, Wayne Shorter, Olivia Newton-John, Albert King and Steely Dan. One of Graydon's most notable session performances is his guitar solo on Steely Dan's 1977 hit single "Peg". Several prominent session guitarists attempted the solo on "Peg" before Jay Graydon, who, according to Walter Becker, "did it with no difficulty whatsoever".
In 1977 he appeared as a character in a number of Doonesbury strips as Jay "Wah-Wah" Graydon. Graydon played on the Jimmy Thudpucker album "Greatest Hits" along with Steve Cropper and Donald "Duck" Dunn. He was the subject of the track "Fretman Sam" and played its guitar solo. He also programmed the synthesizers for the album.
Producer Jay Graydon's production credits include work with Airplay, Air Supply, George Benson, Al Jarreau, DeBarge, El DeBarge, Sheena Easton, Art Garfunkel, The Manhattan Transfer, Johnny Mathis, Patti LaBelle, Lou Rawls, Dionne Warwick, Alan Sorrenti and the album They Don't Make Them Like They Used To by Kenny Rogers.
He started his own record label, Sonic Thrust Records, in 2001 to give himself creative and artistic freedom in his songwriting and producing profession. The label features straight-ahead jazz, adult contemporary pop, AAA, AOR, classic R&B, smooth jazz, and genuine retro surf from the 1960s.
As a musician and recording engineer, he has often been a consultant and beta tester for new musical equipment and recording gear.
Songwriter Graydon has written over 200 songs. His catalog includes the Grammy winners "Turn Your Love Around" (co-written with Steve Lukather and Bill Champlin) as performed by George Benson and "After the Love Has Gone" (co-written with David Foster and Bill Champlin) as performed by Earth, Wind & Fire, as well as "Who's Holding Donna Now" (DeBarge), "Friends in Love" (Dionne Warwick and Johnny Mathis), many songs written with and for Al Jarreau (including "Mornin'", "Breakin' Away", "High Crime", "After All", and "Roof Garden"), and several hits with Manhattan Transfer including "Twilight Zone", "On The Boulevard", "Smile Again" and "Spies in the Night". Many of his songs were co-written with David Foster.
Writer and educator Graydon has written numerous articles in music magazines, and has conducted seminars at Musician's Institute in Hollywood with guitarist Tommy Tedesco for more than 15 years. He has been working on a series of books on recording techniques with Craig Anderton, a widely published and bestselling authority on recording technology. The books will discuss the subtleties of recording various instruments, as well as mixing.
Film scores Graydon has participated as a musician and/or songwriter in over 50 film scores including The French Connection, Grease, Ghostbusters, St. Elmo's Fire, The Secret of My Success, Navy Seals, Lady Sings the Blues, The Greatest, Ghost Dad, Mahogany, and Thank God It's Friday.
Television Graydon has played on or written songs for The Andy Williams Show, The Jackson 5 Show, The Alan Thicke Show, The David Steinberg Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show, The Merv Griffin Show, The Soupy Sales Show, The Smothers Brothers Show, The Midnight Special, The First Rock and Roll Awards Show, Miami Vice, and Starsky and Hutch.
With Richard Page, he also wrote the second theme song for Gimme a Break!, which was used from its third through sixth seasons.
Key collaborations Al Jarreau Perhaps Graydon's most noted collaboration has been with Al Jarreau. Graydon was Jarreau's main songwriter/producer in the early 1980s. Graydon produced Jarreau's albums This Time, Breakin' Away, Jarreau and High Crime, among others. Graydon also played guitar and synthesizer on these albums, as well as serving as songwriter, arranger and engineer.
David Foster Foster and Graydon have worked together on several album projects, including the band Airplay, a pop-rock group they formed in the late 1970s, and the JT Super Producer concert in Japan in 1994 with René Angélil and Céline Dion.
Randy Goodrum Graydon and Randy Goodrum formed a group named JaR. In 2008, they released an album titled Scene 29, described as "Steely Dan meets Airplay and Pages".
Steely Dan Graydon played the guitar solo on the song "Peg" on Steely Dan's 1977 album Aja. Graydon has said that he was unaware of whether or not Becker and Fagen would keep the solo until he heard the finished song on the radio.
David "Fathead" Newman He played on Concrete Jungle.
Discography Solo albums YearAlbum titleNotes1993Airplay for the Planet2001Bebop2006Past to Present - The 70s2008Airplay for the Planet - Live in Japan
Collaborations YearArtistAlbum titleRole(s)1974Boz ScaggsSlow DancerGuitarsJoe CockerI Can Stand a Little Rain1975Gino VannelliStorm at SunupAretha FranklinYouBarbra StreisandLazy Afternoon2nd Chapter of ActsIn the Volume of the Book1976Albert KingAlbertCandi StatonYoung Hearts Run FreePaul AnkaThe PainterJennifer WarnesJennifer WarnesMarvin GayeI Want YouDonovanSlow Down WorldSynthesizer, programmingCherI'd Rather Believe in YouGuitar, mandolinStephen BishopCarelessElectric guitar, acoustic guitarGino VannelliThe Gist of the GeminiElectric guitar1977Olivia Newton-JohnMaking a Good Thing BetterElectric guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitarDolly PartonHere You Come AgainPedal steel guitarBoz ScaggsDown Two Then LeftGuitar, guitar soloSteely DanAjaGuitar solo on "Peg"Rhythm HeritageLast Night on EarthLead guitarMarlena ShawSweet BeginningsGuitarPaul AnkaThe Music ManJackie DeShannonYou're the Only DancerLeo SayerThunder in My HeartDionne WarwickLove at First SightShaun CassidyBorn LateDalbelloLisa Dal BelloSyreeta WrightRich Love, Poor Love1978Various ArtistsGrease SoundtrackCarole Bayer Sager...TooLeo SayerLeo SayerMelissa ManchesterDon't Cry Out LoudBarbra StreisandSongbirdDane DonohueDane DonohuePaul AnkaListen to Your HeartHelen ReddyWe'll Sing in the SunshineJuice NewtonWell Kept SecretShaun CassidyUnder WrapsCandi StatonHouse of LoveValerie CarterWild Child2nd Chapter of ActsMansion BuilderBen E. KingLet Me Live in Your LifeRhythm HeritageSky's the LimitGuitar, arranger, writerAlice CooperFrom The InsideGuitar, synthesizer programmingBrian CaddYesterdaydreamsSynthesiserRita CoolidgeLove Me AgainGuitar, acoustic guitarNigel OlssonNigel OlssonGuitar, electric guitarPagesPagesEngineer, guitar, horns, keyboard programming, producer, songwriter1979Barbra StreisandWetElectric guitarChristopher CrossChristopher CrossGuitar soloCherTake Me HomeGuitarPaul AnkaHeadlinesPeter AllenI Could Have Been a SailorYvonne EllimanYvonneDonna SummerBad GirlsRhythm HeritageDisco DerbyNigel OlssonNigelElectric guitar, acoustic guitarThe Manhattan TransferExtensionsProducer, arrangement, guitars, synthesizers, guitar solo, additional vocals, synthesizer programming, Mixing and Overdub TrackingMarc JordanBlue Desert Lead guitar, synthesizer, arranger, conductor, producer, engineerEarth, Wind & FireI Am Songwriter1980Peter AllenBi-CoastalGuitar2nd Chapter of ActsThe Roar of LoveSyreeta WrightSyreetaMusicianBernie TaupinHe Who Rides the TigerElectric GuitarMariya TakeuchiMiss MAcoustic and electric guitars, rhythm arrangement, backing vocals, songwriterAirplayAirplayProducer, guitar, lead and backing vocals, overdubbing, mixing, songwriterAl JarreauThis TimeSynthesizer programming, electric guitar, rhythm arrangements, producer, engineer1981Breakin' AwayProducer, mixing, songwriter, electric guitar, synthesizer programming, rhythm arrangements, vocal arrangementsDolly PartonDolly, Dolly, DollyGuitarCarole Bayer SagerSometimes Late at NightThe Manhattan TransferMecca for ModernsProducer, songwriter, guitar, synthesizer, arrangementsPagesPagesComposer, engineer, guitar, mixing, producer, programming1982Herbie HancockLite Me UpComposer, engineer, guitar, producer, songwriterDionne WarwickFriends in LoveProducer, rhythm arrangements, synthesizers, guitar, percussion, recording, mixing1983Donna SummerShe Works Hard for the MoneySongwriter, guitarThe TubesOutside InsideSpecial Musical ContributorPaul AnkaWalk a Fine LineComposerSheena EastonBest Kept SecretGuitar, producer, engineerChristopher CrossAnother PageGuitar soloDavid FosterThe Best Of Me Composer, engineer, guitar, songwriterAl JarreauJarreauProducer, songwriter, rhythm arrangements, guitar, synthesizers, guitar solo, engineering1984High CrimeProducer, songwriter, guitar, arrangements, synthesizers, computer concept1985DeBargeRhythm of the NightProducer, songwriter, guitars, synthesizers1986El DeBargeEl DeBargeSynthesizer, guitar, songwriter, arranger, producer, engineerKenny RogersThey Don't Make Them Like They Used ToProducer, engineer, songwriter, synthesizers, lead guitar, electronic drums, arrangements, guitar solo, drums, guitar linesAl JarreauL Is for LoverSongwriter1988Heart's HorizonProducer, songwriter, synthesizersArt GarfunkelLeftyProducer, engineerGeorge BensonTwice the LoveProducer, synthesizers, drums, arrangements, engineer, mixing1989El DeBargeGeminiProducer, songwriter1993Planet 3Music From The PlanetGuitars, keyboards, programming, mixing, recording2004Gems UnearthedLead guitar, keyboards, programming, liner notes, mastering2008JaRScene 29Lead and backing vocals, guitar, drums, synthesizer, composer, arranger, producer, engineer, mixing and mastering
Grammy Awards Year AwardedNominee/workCategoryResultRef.1980"After the Love Has Gone" (Earth, Wind & Fire)Song of the Year (shared with Bill Champlin & David Foster)Best Rhythm & Blues Song (shared with Bill Champlin & David Foster)1981"Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone" (The Manhattan Transfer)Best Arrangement for Voices (shared with Alan Paul)1982Breakin' Away (Al Jarreau)Album of the Year (shared with Al Jarreau)"Kafka" (The Manhattan Transfer)Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices (shared with Bernard Kafka)1983"Turn Your Love Around" (George Benson)Best Rhythm & Blues Song (shared with Bill Champlin & Steve Lukather)1984Jarreau (Al Jarreau)Producer of the Year (Non-Classical)Best Engineered Recording – Non-Classical (shared with Ian Eales & Eric Prestis)"Mornin'" (Al Jarreau)Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s) (shared with David Foster & Jeremy Lubbock)"Step by Step" (Al Jarreau)Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocal(s) (shared with Tom Canning, Jerry Hey & Al Jarreau)1985Ghostbusters Soundtrack (various artists)Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special (shared with various artists & producers)1986St. Elmo's Fire Soundtrack (various artists)
References
External links Artist's website Artist's 2nd website Artist's YouTube channel Artist's Myspace website Graydon, Jay writing credits