NYC bass wizard Alexander Claffy brings his favorite musicians back to hallowed Philly ground on this live album recorded at Chris' Jazz where he has played since he was 14. A full circle moment captured on tape, across two nights. This is the first of two volumes of live experimentation featuring the stellar lineup of Seamus Blake, Kevin Hays, Bill Stewart, Jaleel Shaw and Sean Jones. .

FANTASIA is a blend of Brazilian harmony, and stretching alongside the rhythm section aesthetics of the bands of John Coltrane. This band is a total trip for the listener.

Adam Arruda - Drums

Cafe Da Silva - Percussion

Ben Solomon - Sax

Eden Ladin - Piano

Claffy - Upright Bass / Acoustic Bass Guitar

Claffy wrote, recorded and produced his debut concept album: CLAFFY. With the help of engineer/ producer Michael Perez-Cisneros (Kurt Rosenwinkel, Esperanza Spalding and many others); he has documented his own true story of love, heartbreak, and the eternal question: were we meant to be? Just shy of 40 minutes, this groundbreaking LP introduces many of New York's young talent - Michael Stephenson, Jonathan Barber, Victor Gould, Ben Eunson, Dida Pelled, Camila Meza, Kyle Poole, Troy Roberts, Matt Chalk, David Gibson, and more!

Twentieth century American popular music is one of the greatest artistic gifts ever given to the world -- and barely anyone talks about it when discussing America. In contrast, Michael Stephenson and Alexander Claffy have made an album that leads with that message. It revels in it -- and it does so at a critical moment. Right now, when we're asking ourselves quite painfully, who are we, and who do we want to be as Americans, the music on this album matters because it reminds us of who we are. It helps answer: what do we have to give? And it dares us: can we give the best of ourselves -- our hearts, our joy, our genius -- to the world? Can we even recognize that part of ourselves?

From Nat King Cole to Ray Charles to Marvin Gaye: this album takes that journey. In pointing us to our own past, this album makes a very modern statement here and now. In the face of injustice, inequality and racism, this music reminds us of our capacity to love, to hold each other and dance, and to agitate for a better future. You ask us what it means to be a Black American musician, or a white American musician? In response we play a slice of our inheritance -- some of the most beautiful songs we know!

Claffy has been producing concerts as well as recordings with the legendary Brazilian guitarist, vocalist, and composer Toninho Horta. Be on the lookout for the release of their recordings in 2027, as well as collaborations with Pedro Martins, Eric Alexander, and more. NOTE: look out for the Claffy/Horta duo at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Rose Hall NYC, early 2027.

Singer/Songwriter/Engineer/Producer/Played mostly all the instruments all this record under an Alias. The record features appearances by Seamus Blake, Bill Campbell, Corey Fonville, and Stephan Burse. I did everything else except the mastering, by Jason Matthews. Some co-production by the highly mysterious and legendary Armando Young.