Jay Anderson, a bassist/composer, is one of the most respected and versatile jazz musicians today. Anderson was born in Southern California and began playing the acoustic basse at age twelve. Anderson received numerous awards throughout junior high, highschool, and college for his excellence in jazz and classical music. Anderson was invited to join the Woody Herman Orchestra one week after he received a Bachelor’s degree in Performance from California State University at Long Beach. After touring for one year with the “Herd”, Anderson was called by Carmen McRae, and he performed for two more years with the legend singer. Anderson decided to move to New York City in 1982. Anderson has continued to record and perform with some of jazz’s most prominent names since moving East. Anderson was a regular member of Red Rodney’s bands.