A fun life for a Musician / Bass Player, from the Philippine Islands who followed his first love.

His first instrument is voice, started the piano when he was eight, as he grew older, learned to play the guitar. Clay’s first experience in a band was when he was 13. Formed his first group consisting of five kids, played rhythm and second lead guitar attempted to do rock and soft rock covers and a lot of angry neighbors there after!!!!!.. During his early exposure to modern music, he then was introduced to Clapton, JT, Zep, AC-DC, Sabbath, Stones, Aerosmith, Yes, Who, ELP, Rush, Floyd and more American, and Brit rock bands.

When things were just fine, an acquaintance with a much different taste introduced him to a different breed of kids, who listened to what he used to call "parents music", but....., much to his surprise, it’s nothing like what he expected. That’s when he was turned on to the music of Steely Dan, Beck, Matheny, Chick, Weather Report, and slowly transformed.

At age 16 moved to America, met with kids with the same interest, formed a new band, (that was when pot smoking, drinking beer, hanging out, skipping school, jammin’, and getting stoned was hip.). He was still a guitar player playing Rock, R&B, Jazz, and New Wave. At the same era, he also played with the HS Jazz ensemble, playing piano, singing with the Madrigals, and Chorus.

After graduation, he went back to the Philippine Islands for further studies. Took music for his major. Got accepted in the Philippine Women’s University Conservatory of Music. Majored in Voice and minored in Piano. He was also involved with the Philippine Women’s University Music Ensemble headed by Lucrecia Kasilag. They covered Western Classical and Ethnic music. The college group is a regular at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Luneta Park. During his studies, he grouped with students who have the same passion and taste of music who needed a bass player. That was the dawning of his admiration to the axe with 4 low strings. The Group played Jazz, Latin, Top 40 tunes and a few originals, playing at the local music bars. During this project, he met another music student who was dedicated to his music and collaborated. They then did a project called The Dawn, which was managed by Martin Galan. The group was a power trio plus a lead vocalist. They played Progressive Rock Originals written by the late Teddy Diaz, with collaboration with JB Leonor, Jet Pangan and Clay Luna.

During the mid 80’s Clay moved back to America. Lived in LA then in NJ. During his stay in NJ he worked in NY and bumped into some locals that played Original Music. He then, once again, followed his passion and pursued his first love. The group was a Quartet called Shocker Ruby, and consisted of three instrumentalists and a female front. They played their music at bars and occasional gigs at CBGB’s, Continental Divide, Downtown Beirut, Kenny’s Castaway, and other Village bars. Once again Clay moved, now he’s residing in GA doing music projects with choice musicians playing Jazz, Fusion, Funk, Latin, and R & B. He’s most current project......... FORCAST.