Album Notes

The Musical Mentoring Project is a collaboration between Grammy Musical Directors and Oakland natives, Larry Batiste, Claytoven Richardson and Youth Movement Records (YMR). This project showcases the creative wealth of Oakland's musical tradition and creates opportunities for meaningful inter generational artistic exchange. For the past year, Larry & Claytoven have mentored and coached up-and-coming artists from YMR in the craft of songwriting, arranging, producing and performing. They worked intensively with each artist to develop their unique voices and have created an original and professional record with each. We hope that this collection of songs creates a positive and powerful impression of our city for the whole world to hear.

The Musical Mentoring Project was made possible through generous support of East Bay Fund for Artists, Tom & Marla Williams, Kevin Gay, and Bob Kliger.

Youth Movement Records (YMR) is a youth-driven media arts organization inspiring under-served urban youth, ages 13-19, to engage in learning, leadership and positive community involvement. YMR involves youth through music, mentoring and entrepreneurship in order to reduce violence, develop skills and create community change. YMR is a non-profit 501c3 organization.

Larry Batiste and Claytoven Richardson are both Oakland natives, having graduated from Castlemont High School's legendary music program in the 1970's. Both men began working professionally in the Bay Area music scene prior to graduation, and both went on to pursue secondary degrees in music. Their successful careers have taken them around the globe, and have included roles as songwriters, arrangers, performers, producers and publishers. They have worked on hit records with internationally known stars such as Whitney Houston, Lionel Ritchie, Kenny G, Elton John and many others. Mr. Batiste currently serves as Music Director for the Grammy Awards Pre-Telecast Show, with Mr. Richardson serving as Musical Arranger. Both gentlemen sit on the board of governors for the San Francisco Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), which is the organization that presents the Grammy Awards each year.