Billy Carrión’s Higher Standards new album “Second Chances” out in 2027!
Billy Carrión is a bassist and bandleader based in New Jersey. His approach to bass draws on his background as a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, with an interest in strong melody, modern harmony, the atmospheric, emotionally driven side of jazz, and the melodic language of classic 8-bit and 16-bit video games. His primary instrument is the “Bone Breaker Bace,” a custom contrabass handcrafted by luthier Mark Zandveld of The Bace.
The move to bass came after more than two decades as a professional saxophonist. In December 2023, a severe nerve disorder resulted in permanent facial paralysis and ended his career as a woodwind player. Bass had been part of his musical life for years, but after losing the ability to continue on saxophone, he committed himself to the instrument full time. What began as a necessary change became a new chapter in his life as a musician.
Before that transition, Billy established himself on the New York and New Jersey jazz scene as a multi-instrumentalist, becoming particularly known for his work on baritone saxophone. His career took him throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Europe, with performances at venues and festivals including the Bitter End, Exit Zero Jazz Festival, Caramoor Jazz Festival, and Toro y Salsa Festival, to name a few.
He performed and recorded with artists including Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto, Henry Cole, Alfredo Rodriguez, Ray Santos, Nestor Torres, Los Pleneros De La 21, Bobby Porcelli, Tom Vela and The Wayside, and others. Earlier in his career, he worked with musicians including Robby Ameen, Pete Rodriguez, Raul Agraz, David Oquendo, Professor Joe Torres, and Rubén Rodríguez.
Billy also spent years working at Big Blue Meenie Studios in Jersey City as a woodwind artist and arranger, contributing to recordings across rock, jazz, and other styles.
Raised between Brooklyn, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico, Billy began playing alto saxophone at nine and was working professionally by fourteen. His father, a journeyman salsa singer, filled their home with music, and Billy grew up surrounded by a wide range of musical influences.
“You don’t need lessons, you need gigs. You need people to hear what you have to say.”
-John Benitez