Yanagisawa saxophone artist Billy Carrión Jr. never attended a music prep course, music camps, or a major musical school; instead it was passion, and hard work that has driven Billy’s young 15 year career. Although baritone saxophone is his main voice, Billy can be seen performing on as many as 13 instruments, and even with a custom effects board developed for the baritone saxophone, dubbed ‘The Harmonic Weapon.’ Going the “old school route,” Billy used the music of the past, along with his logic to learn, and earn his way into musics elite performers, instead of the more traditional lessons, and various music programs. Despite those things, he has managed to record and perform with some amazing musicians in many genres including Eddie Palmieri – Latin Jazz & La Perfecta , Ray Barretto, Henry Cole & The Afrobeat Collective, Los Pleneros De La 21, Jerry Medina y la Banda, Papo Vazquez, Ned Sublette, Victor Manuelle, Andy Montanez, The Fiendz, Robert Fitzpatrick, United Nation, Tom Vella And The Wayside, Last Perfect Thing, Quincy Jones’ artist Alfredo Rodriguez, Joe Magnarelli, Giovanni Hidalgo, David Oquendo, among others…
Current running ensembles include:
• Three Free
Billy Carrión Jr., Jon Di Fiore and Luke Celenza have been performing music for years. Their long-standing friendship is the tie that binds them together. They represent a strong collective thread from years of playing in Big Bands, traditional Piano Trio and even a Free Jazz Quintet.
This time, they’ve formed a new Ensemble stripped back to baritone saxophone, keyboards/piano, and drums. They’ve also written new “themes and vibes” that play to each other’s musical personalities.
Billy Carrión Jr. – baritone saxophone
Luke Celenza – piano/Nord
Jon Di Fiore – Drums
• The Hidden Jazz Collective (trio/quintet)
A jazz ensemble dedicated to the influence of “electric jazz”. We take electronic sounds long forgotten from Weather Report, Return To Forever, bring them into modern ears with throuh originals of jazz’s up and coming artists with a groove twist.
Campbell Charshee – Nord, Sunrizer, NESynth
German Gonzalez – Guitars
Billy Carrión Jr. – Bass, Effects
Jon Di Fiore – Drums
Carlos Maldonado – Congas, Percussion
• The Rican Rebels
Billy’s Roots to the world ensemble. Taking everything he has learned, he joins with some of the best musicians Puerto Rico Has to Offer, and performs a blend of Puerto Rican Roots, electronic soundscapes, and melodies and rhythms from around the world to create a unique sonic experience.
Billy Carrión Jr. – Baritone Saxophone, ‘Harmonic Weapon’
Javi Perez – Guitars
Jorge ‘Bebo’ Rivera – Keyboards, Sunrizer, NESynth
‘Goldo’ Luis Rodriguez – Bass
Efrain Martinez – Drums
Daniel Diaz -Congas,
Percussion Beto Torrens – Baríl, World Percussion
Billy’s notable performances:
• Puerto Rico Heineken Jazzfest • The Stone Pony • Exit 0 International Jazz Festival • Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola • Chick Corea Festival • Birdland • Caramoor Jazz Festival • CBGB • River to River Festival • Sullivan Hall • Light of Day Festival • The Bitter End • The Toro Y Salsa Festival • Somethin Jazz Club • Hat City Kitchen • Tomi Jazz • Symphony Space • 92nd Street Y
3 albums coming out in 2014:
Three Free – Out March 9th
Hidden Jazz Collective – out spring 2014
The Rican Rebels – out fall 2014