Album Notes

"The Random Puller," now available online through www.clayross.com, marks the independent recording debut of Guitarist/Composer/Bandleader Clay Ross. Ross was recently named a 2005 Jazz Ambassador by the U.S. State Department and is a new member of world-renowned percussionist Cyro Baptista's group "Beat the Donkey." On his latest album, Clay leads a quartet through nine original compositions that showcase his writing and improvisational talents.

The music aims at a modern jazz esthetic that maintains its focus on groove and melody. There is the detailed journey through the many sections of title track; the bright and playful feel of the jazz samba "Agora;" the Sephardic sounds of "Falez;" the moody trek through "Lost Child;" the rolling optimism of "Luna Belle;" the pastoral openness of "Midway Road;" the cathartic swing of "Blue Clay;" the tongue and cheek vocal shout on "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah;" and finally a musical mantra, "The Circle Song."

Recorded in South Carolina over two late night sessions in December 2004, for this date Clay employed the talents of three southern natives. Featuring the inventive tenor playing of Atlanta's Kebbi Williams (Jeff "Tain" Watts, Outkast) and the dynamic rhythm section of Brian Mulholland (electric bass) and Stockton Helbing (drums), both current members of jazz legend Maynard Ferguson's touring band, this recording delivers the intimacy of live performance with the sound quality of studio production. Engineered and Mixed at Williamson Evans Music by Duane Evans, "The Random Puller" was also mastered by the ubiquitous Allan Tucker (Verve, Tzadik) at Foothill Digital in NYC.

Clay Ross was born in the small town of Anderson, S.C. After receiving a BFA in composition from the University of Charleston he became an integral part of the South Carolina jazz scene. He is now living in NYC and can be seen performing regularly. Please visit www.clayross.com for more information.