erendipity gave Claytoven Richardson both his name and a jump-start to a career as a top session singer. But his good fortune had started years earlier, in the form of music education

Though he grew up in a tough, East Oakland, California neighborhood, Richardson's shaping forces were positive. Instead of hanging out on the streets in high school, Richardson toured Europe with Phil Reeder's Castlemont High chorus, “The Castleers.” “Being in that group was my first time leaving the country, and learning my world was bigger than my little neighborhood,” said Richardson. Instead of getting into trouble in high school, he studied clarinet and saxophone at the SF Conservatory of Music and entered UC Berkeley's Young Musicians Program (YMP) for gifted, “at-risk” youngsters. YMP instructor Bill Bell became “like my second father,” said Richardson. “He'd teach me arranging, how to score compositions. I learned music just from basically being part of his family.”

Thanks to those instructors and many others, Richardson went to the University of Michigan on a full scholarship as an Oboe principle. It was during one of his school vacations that he acquired a name that neatly described the direction his life was taking. Childhood friend (now business partner) Larry Batiste accidentally fused Richardson's given name, Clayton, with that, shall we say, of another artist, and out came “Claytoven.” The impressive name stuck, and its owner determined to work hard to live up it.

Claytoven's singing career was also unintentional. After college, he played sax with and co-produced Bill Summers and Summers Heat. Summers overheard Claytoven singing reference vocals to get the sense of a song, and then asked Claytoven to perform lead. He has been in demand as a session singer ever since, singing background vocals on countless gold and platinum recordings featuring: Kenny G, Tevin Campbell, Michael Bolton, Elton John, Peabo Bryson, New Kids on the Block, Ricki Martin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, and many others (full discography (1mb file) available). His work on the #1 song for Celine Dion (which was also the title track for the “Titanic” soundtrack), “My Heart Will Go On” won him Grammy recognition in 1999.

In addition to his many other accolades, Claytoven was recently presented the “Key to Creativity” award by the City of Oakland in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the performing arts. “This was truly the greatest honor that I have ever received. It is so wonderful to be thought of like this at home.”

In 1994 Claytoven started Claytoven Music Entertainment (formerly Claytoven Music & Management) to facilitate managing all of his music business endeavors, some of which include music production, CD artwork designs, and web site designs. CME also co-manages a production studio in Oakland where Claytoven devotes himself to writing catchy, contemporary compositions, which have been recorded by Lisa Fischer, Shanice, Al Jarreau and Patti Austin, among others.

But as busy as he is, Claytoven always makes time for education. “I was blessed as a kid,” Claytoven said. “Because of the many teachers that came into my life while still in high school, I got to talk with Duke Ellington and ask questions about his music. I got to play with Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln.”

So Claytoven has stepped into the role of teacher by founding the Studio Training Workshop for Vocalists, a workshop designed to bridge the gap between the academic and professional music worlds by providing aspiring singers with the knowledge and hands on experience necessary to pursue a career as a professional recording vocalist. “With music education in schools dwindling, it becomes that much more important for professional musicians to educate the young music community.”

Check out Audio Clips to hear a few of Claytoven's Lead Vocals from both record and commercial sessions. A Discography (1mb .pdf file) is also available for download.

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