Billy Jay Stein

Billy Jay Stein was born on February 5, 1970, in Bronx, NY. He began studying the piano at the age of six. After graduating from Jericho High School, Stein attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the biological basis of behavior with an emphasis on neural systems, and minored in music.{{Cite web|url=http://www.penntertainment.com/penn-alumni-know-vol-21/7/|title=Penn Alumni You Should Know About Vol. 21 - Page 7 of 7|date=18 December 2014}}

Stein became a member of the rock and roll band, The MadHatters, in 1989. The band, which included members Adam Hirsh (vocals, guitar), Adam Evans (guitar, vocals), Billy Jay Stein (keyboards, vocals), Jon Kaplan (bass), and Tommy Kaelin (drums), officially changed their name to The Hatters in 1993;; same year Atlantic signed the band, and released Live Thunderchicken, taken from their club appearances.{{cite web|title=Live Thunderchicken CD Review|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-thunderchicken-mw0000103101|website=AllMusic.com|publisher=All Media Network|access-date=}}{{cite web|title=The Hatters CD and Artwork|url=http://stuartcottingham.com/hatters.html|website=stuartcottingham.com|access-date=}}{{cite web |title=HATTERS TO HIT PEPPERCORN PUB EN ROUTE TO NYC |url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1995-02-03-3022875-story.html |website=MCall |access-date=14 June 2021}}{{cite web |title=the hatters – madcap adventures of the avocado overlord (1994) |url=https://jacobull.wordpress.com/tag/billy-jay-stein/ |website=Hi Fi and Low Expectations |access-date=14 June 2021 |language=en}} In 1994, they recorded their debut studio album, The Madcap Adventures of the Avocado Overlord, and their final album, You Will Be You was released in 1995, just prior to the band's break up.

In 1996 Stein returned to New York City, where he attended classes in orchestration and conducting at the Juilliard School and began working with former Hatter bandmate, Adam Hirsh, AKA Tree Adams. Together they composed the score to the film Definite Maybe.{{cite web|title=The Definite Maybe|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167880/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ql_1|year=1997|website=IMDb.com|publisher=DJM Films|access-date=}}

In 1998, Stein founded Strange Cranium Productions, Inc.,{{cite web|last1=Stein|first1=Billy|title=Strange Cranium|url=http://strangecranium.com/|website=Strange Cranium|publisher=Strange Cranium|access-date=}} a full service music company. Heading up Strange Cranium Productions, Stein has composed music for television shows such as MTV's "Boiling Points", VH1's "The List", HBO's "Sex In The City",{{cite web|title=Sex in the City - Season 6, Episode 86, 'One'|url=http://www.hbo.com/sex-and-the-city/episodes/6/86-one/#/sex-and-the-city/episodes/6/86-one/music.html|website=HBO.com|publisher=HBO|access-date=}}{{cite web|title=Sex in the City - Season 6, Episode 92, 'Splat'|url=http://www.hbo.com/sex-and-the-city/episodes/6/92-splat/music.html#/|website=HBO.com|publisher=HBO|access-date=}}{{cite web |title=Sex and the City Music: Season 6 |url=https://www.satctranscripts.com/2008/08/sex-and-city-music-season-6.html#.YHC83mQzaUk |website=Satctranscripts |access-date=14 June 2021}} and Showtime's Nurse Jackie. Productions by Stein under Strange Cranium include "Handel’s Messiah Rocks", featuring the Keith Lockhart and Boston Pops Orchestra, and The Other Side Of Me, by Linda Eder.

Stein has played on recordings with artists such as Linda Eder, Kate Voegele, Sons of Sylvia, Kevin Hammond, Laura Izibor, Joe Budden, East Village Opera Company, Cartel, Darlene Love, Jet Lag Gemini, The Damnwells, Henri Salvador, Bernard Lavilliers, Born Cages, The Bacon Brothers, IVO, and Ray Charles.{{cite web|title=Billy Jay Stein|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-jay-stein-mn0000425885/credits|website=AllMusic.com|publisher=All Media Network|access-date=}}

In 2014 Stein composed the score for the feature film, Sister,{{Cite web|url=https://tribecafilm.com/filmguide/archive/532089ebc07f5df7d20002b5-sister|title=Sister | 2014 Tribeca Festival|access-date=2015-05-14|archive-date=2018-01-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109121817/https://tribecafilm.com/filmguide/archive/532089ebc07f5df7d20002b5-sister|url-status=dead}} which was an Official Selection at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival.{{cite web|title=Billy Jay Stein |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0825405/|website=imdb.com|publisher=All Media Network|access-date= }}{{cite web |title=Sister |url=http://tribecafilm.com/filmguide/archive/532089ebc07f5df7d20002b5-sister |website=tribecafilm.com |publisher=Tribeca Enterprises LLC |access-date=}}

Stein began touring with Linda Eder in 2000 as a keyboard player and become her musical director and pianist in 2008.{{cite web|title=Billy Jay Stein|url=http://ibdb.com/person.php?id=489441 |website=ibdb.com |publisher=The Broadway League |access-date=}}{{cite web|title=Life of a Freelance Musician in NYC|url=http://lindaeder.com/voice_archive/voice_summer04/billy_s.htm|website=lindaeder.com|publisher=Linda Eder & The Voice |access-date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054652/http://lindaeder.com/voice_archive/voice_summer04/billy_s.htm |archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=The Ultimate Piano Man and So Much More, One on One with Billy Stein|url=http://www.lindaeder.com/voice_2014billy.html|website=lindaeder.com|publisher=Linda Eder & The Voice |access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507071024/http://www.lindaeder.com/voice_2014billy.html|archive-date=2015-05-07 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Old Friend, New Music--An Interview with Billy Stein|url=http://www2.spigroup.com/amanda/thevoice/voice_TOSOM_08/ws08_billy.htm|website=spigroup.com|publisher=Linda Eder & The Voice|access-date=|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626103153/http://www2.spigroup.com/amanda/thevoice/voice_TOSOM_08/ws08_billy.htm|archive-date=2015-06-26}} Stein has also been involved in multiple Broadway productions as keyboard player and Assistant Conductor. From 1997 - 2001 Stein played keyboards in Jekyll & Hyde.{{cite web|title=William Stein |url=http://www.playbillvault.com/Person/Detail/11221/William-Stein |website=playbillvault.com |publisher=Playbill, Inc.|access-date= }} From 2011 to 2014, Stein was the Electronic Music Designer, keyboard 1, and assistant conductor for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.{{cite web |last1=Rosler |first1=Matt |title=Penn Alumni You Should Know About Vol. 21 - Page 7 of 7 |url=http://penntertainment.com/penn-alumni-know-vol-21/7/ |website=Penntertainment |access-date=14 June 2021 |date=2014-12-18}}

Other credits for Electronic Music Designer include Fun Home (Original Broadway-current), Flashdance (National Tour 2012-current), Jekyll & Hyde (Original Broadway 2013), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Original Broadway 2014-current, London-current), Cinderella (National tour-current), Chess (1998), Fortress Of Solitude (Public Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center - 2014), Linda Eder: The Holiday Concert (Palace Theatre- 2004), Linda Eder at the Gershwin (Gershwin Theatre- 2001), Chess (John Houseman Theatre- 1998), Tuck Everlasting Atlanta Alliance Theatre - 2015).{{cite web|title=Playbill Vault - Fun Home|url=http://www.playbillvault.com/Show/Detail/Cast/14079/Fun-Home-at-Circle-in-the-Square-Theatre|website=playbillvault.com|publisher=Playbill, Inc. |access-date= }}{{cite web |title=Chess Concerts|

url=http://www.amazing-journey.com/chess511.htm |website=amazing-journey.com|publisher=Michael Cerveris |access-date= }}{{cite web|title=Flashdance The Musical|url=http://www.flashdancethemusical.com/creative-team/billy-jay-stein.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101350/http://www.flashdancethemusical.com/creative-team/billy-jay-stein.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-04 |website=www.flashdancethemusical.com |publisher=NETworks Presentations |access-date= }}{{cite web|title=Playbill Vault - Billy Jay Stein|url=http://www.playbillvault.com/Person/Detail/9318/Billy-Jay-Stein|website=playbillvault.com|publisher=Playbill, Inc. |access-date= }}{{cite web |title=Billy Jay Stein |url=https://www.playbill.com/person/billy-jay-stein-vault-0000009318 |website=Playbill |access-date=14 June 2021 |language=en}}

In 2008 Stein founded Strike Audio, a music licensing company, with Michael Rosen.{{cite web|title=About Strike Audio|url=http://www.strikeaudio.com#who|website=strikeaudio.com|publisher=Strike Audio|access-date= }} Strike Audio is a leading provider of exclusive, world-class music for television. Strike Audio, with 15 award-winning composer writings and producing full-time, airs music 24 hours a day and seven days a week, around the world. Strike Audio cues have been featured on more than 350 television series and specials, including Pawn Stars, Duck Dynasty, Long Island Medium, and Wahlburgers.

In 2015, Stein won a Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album.http://www.hitfix.com/news/2015-grammy-awards-winners-and-nominees-complete-list Grammy in 2015 He produced and mixed Beautiful: The Carole King Musical with co-producers Steve Sidwell and Jason Howland.

In 2016, Stein was the Composer, Music Producer, and Arranger for The New York Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rockettes.com/newyork/creative-team/ |title=Creative Team | the Rockettes |access-date=2016-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228134108/https://www.rockettes.com/newyork/creative-team/ |archive-date=2016-12-28 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last1=Contino |first1=Patricia |title=Radio City Music Hall Rockettes star in New York Spectacular {{!}} Theatre review |url=https://www.theupcoming.co.uk/2016/07/26/radio-city-music-hall-rockettes-star-in-new-york-spectacular-theatre-review/ |website=The Upcoming |access-date=14 June 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rockettes.com/blog/qa-music-producer-and-vocal-designer-billy-jay-stein-and-annmarie-milazzo/|title=Q&A: Music Producer and Vocal Designer, Billy Jay Stein and AnnMarie Milazzo|date=17 June 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zealnyc/the-new-york-spectacular_b_10841390.html|title=The 'New York Spectacular' Lives up to Its Name|website=HuffPost |date=7 July 2016}} The production featured unique arrangements of hit music and legendary compositions by artists including John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, Shawn Carter, Alicia Keys, Madonna, Sting, and Frank Sinatra.{{cite web |title=Q&A: Music Producer and Vocal Designer, Billy Jay Stein and AnnMarie Milazzo |url=https://www.rockettes.com/blog/qa-music-producer-and-vocal-designer-billy-jay-stein-and-annmarie-milazzo/ |website=The Rockettes |access-date=14 June 2021 |date=2016-06-17}}

From 2018 to 2020, Stein was the electronic music producer and designer for Tina Fey's Mean Girls, which ran on Broadway from 2018 to 2020.

In 2020 Stein was the music producer and mixer for the original virtual musical, A Killer Party (www.akillerpartymusical.com). The musical was created by over 55 Broadway professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic, providing some financial help/relief to everyone involved.{{cite web |title=A KILLER PARTY: A MURDER MYSTERY MUSICAL NOW AVAILABLE AS A MOVIE |url=https://broadwaydirect.com/a-killer-party-a-murder-mystery-musical-now-available-as-a-movie/ |website=Broadway Direct |access-date=14 June 2021}}

In 2020, Stein also co-produced and mixed the Carole King classic, “You've got A Friend”. A video that has been viewed, nearly 1 Million times, and generated thousands of dollars in support of the Actor's Fund. The music video is a collaboration between artists from four continents; all of whom had performed/played the show “Beautiful”, including in London, Tokyo, Sydney, Toronto, New York, and all over the US.{{cite web |last1=Gordon |first1=David |title=Carole King and Beautiful Casts Come Together for "You've Got a Friend" Video {{!}} TheaterMania |url=https://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/carole-king-and-beautiful-casts-come-together_90864.html |website=www.theatermania.com |access-date=14 June 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Gans |first1=Andrew |title=Cast Members From Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Sing Inspirational and Socially Distanced Version of 'You've Got a Friend' |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/cast-members-from-beautiful-the-carole-king-musical-sing-inspirational-and-socially-distanced-version-of-youve-got-a-friend |website=Playbill |access-date=14 June 2021 |language=en |date=7 April 2020}}

In 2020, He also engineered and mixed the music for the event Night of Covenant House Stars.The event featured Dolly Parton, Jon Bon Jovi and Meryl Streep and raised over $1 Million dollars for Covenant house.{{cite web |last1=Fierberg |first1=Ruthie |title=A BKLYN Reunion, a Dear Evan Hansen Anthem, Meryl Streep, Audra McDonald, and More Highlights From A Night of Covenant House Stars |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/a-bklyn-reunion-a-dear-evan-hansen-anthem-meryl-streep-audra-mcdonald-and-more-highlights-from-a-night-of-covenant-house-stars |website=Playbill |access-date=14 June 2021 |language=en |date=19 May 2020}}

In 2020, one of Strike Audio's master tracks (Mystery by Bernd Schoenhart) was sampled on the 21 Savage & Metro Boomin's SAVAGE MODE II, which debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200 Chart on October 11, 2020.{{cite magazine |last1=Caulfield |first1=Keith |title=21 Savage & Metro Boomin's 'Savage Mode II' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9463907/21-savage-metro-boomin-savage-billboard-200-chart-debut/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=14 June 2021 |language=en}}

Stein is the head of the team that created and maintains Strange Cranium's MainBrain Show Control Software. The proprietary software allows a music conductor to easily control, adapt, and rearrange prerecorded audios. The system is used nightly to control audio playback in many Broadway and touring shows.{{cite web |last1=Trenton |title=Composer Cribs: Strike Audio — Flatiron District, Manhattan {{!}} Members |url=http://staging.sonicscoop.com/2017/02/21/composer-cribs-strike-audio-flatiron-district-manhattan/ |website=Sonic Scoop |access-date=14 June 2021}}

Billy Jay Stein has one of the largest collections of vintage and modern synthesizers in the world. He has also been featured in Keyboard and Electronic Musician Magazines.{{cite web |last1=Regen |first1=Jon |title=Added by @keyboardmag Instagram post Check out our friend Billy Jay Stein talking about his cherished Yamaha CS-80! #Repost @strangecranium with @get_repost @keyboardmag #synth #keyboards #yamahacs80 ・・・ Just out in the February 2020 Electronic Musician Magazine... Thanks to Jon Regen for giving me the opportunity to talk about my favorite synth, the Yamaha CS80! - Picuki.com |url=https://www.picuki.com/media/2248016072286689292 |website=www.picuki.com |access-date=14 June 2021 |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Weiss |first1=David |title=Composer Cribs: Strike Audio — Flatiron District, Manhattan |url=https://sonicscoop.com/2017/02/21/composer-cribs-strike-audio-flatiron-district-manhattan/ |website=Sonic Scoop |date=21 February 2017 |access-date=14 June 2021}}{{cite web |title=Billy Jay Stein - Film & TV MEGA Music Composer! Synth Overlord, Grammy Winner, Broadway! |url=https://joe-west.com/blogs/test/posts/billy-jay-stein-film-tv-mega-music-composer-synth-overlord-grammy-winner-broadway |website=joe-west.com}}

Stein is married to Laura Miles.{{cite web|title=Tribeca Film Festival Premiere of "Sister" |url=http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/billy-jay-stein-and-laura-miles-attend-the-premiere-of-news-photo/486757807 |website=www.gettyimages.com|publisher=Getty Images|access-date= }} They have two children and live in Manhattan.

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Category:American male composers

Category:21st-century American composers

Category:1970 births

Category:Living people

Category:Grammy Award winners

Category:American male pianists

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Category:21st-century American male musicians