Billy Carrión

BIO

Billy Carrión is a multidimensional bassist whose musicianship bridges dimensions. His mission is simple: to evolve every piece of music to its highest, purest form while honoring the voices of the masters who came before.

After two and a half decades as a first-call baritone saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist, working with legends including Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto, Tim Gilles, Henry Cole, Giovanni Hidalgo, Suit Of Lights, Alfredo Rodriguez, Papo Vazquez, Ray Santos, and many more, Billy’s path shifted in 2023 when Bell’s palsy left him unable to play woodwinds. What could have been an ending became a transformation: he turned fully to the bass, crafting a personal sound that carries the experience of his journey thus far.

As well as being an in-demand sideman, also has a few projects:

Higher Standards, an original jazz quartet with James Gibbs III (flugelhorn/trumpet), Campbell Charshee (piano), and Jarrett Walser (drums). The group is building toward recording its debut album in 2026, featuring the “Bone Breaker Bace,” a special acoustic instrument made by Mark Zandveld.

Billy is a member of U.L.T.R.A. S (Universe Less Traveled Reveals Authentic Self): a high-energy electric jazz collective that lights up the NY/NJ scene with raw sonic experimentation, high jazz improvisation, and nuclear fusion energy.

Sin Egoísmo is Billy’s brand-new Latin-jazz video game ensemble. Re-imagining Latin inspired classic video game melodies from Billy’s childhood, and bringing them full clavé blast with a seven-piece ensemble.

Billy is also a member of Sacred Machines, the modal modern jazz quartet of tenor saxophonist Glenn White.

Beyond the stage, Billy shares his artistic world through his Twitch channel (@billyretrogamer), streaming retro games while offering fans a direct way to interact off stage. For him, music is more than performance: it’s multidimensional storytelling, a way to connect vulnerable personal truth with universally relatable emotion.

Welcome on board, Billy!