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» member profile:
erikjay
» genre:
Jazz >
Smooth Jazz
» location:
Erik Jay
» label: unsigned
» for fans of: Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, Weather Report, Koinonia, Fourplay
» latest album:
"Heart & Soul & Mind"
12 tracks
running time 49:04
12 tracks
running time 49:04
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Erik Jay
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Erik Jay has refined his smooth but surprising blend of jazz, pop, Latin, and ballad styles over a lifetime. In the 1980s, he polished his professional chops working with Vivian Grant, a pianist and former accompanist to legendary jazz singer Anita O'Day.
After traveling on various musical and artistic pursuits, Erik settled near Los Angeles in 1990 and began the decade of musical growth, experimentation, and learning that culminates in the new music. In addition to working on his original projects, Erik has also worked performances and sessions with such luminaries as Abraham Laboriel Sr., Graham Dorsey, Jack Kelly, Richie Gajate-Garcia, Mike Willars, Jon Hartmann, and Sam Mazzola. For three years during the mid- to late-1990s, Erik also served as music director for a small inner-city church.
Erik has developed a style of music that is at once highly personal and highly accessible, with several distinct vocal and instrumental influences held together by a common theme of hope, renewal, love, and relentlessly positive thinking. "But what ties the whole thing together sonically and musically," says Erik, "is my producer, Richard Zeier, at Pearl Music. I have a 'signature sound' because Richard helped me find it and focus it."
Erik married his, Lydia, in 1985, and they have two canine kids, Cecily and Maximo; his daughter from his first marriage, Monica, and son-in-law, Lamont, have given him two granddaughters, Tiana and Aliyah (in 1998 and 2003, respectively). He is also a designer (his Web site, his CDs), publishing consultant, Macintosh maven, and a prolific, published writer.
After traveling on various musical and artistic pursuits, Erik settled near Los Angeles in 1990 and began the decade of musical growth, experimentation, and learning that culminates in the new music. In addition to working on his original projects, Erik has also worked performances and sessions with such luminaries as Abraham Laboriel Sr., Graham Dorsey, Jack Kelly, Richie Gajate-Garcia, Mike Willars, Jon Hartmann, and Sam Mazzola. For three years during the mid- to late-1990s, Erik also served as music director for a small inner-city church.
Erik has developed a style of music that is at once highly personal and highly accessible, with several distinct vocal and instrumental influences held together by a common theme of hope, renewal, love, and relentlessly positive thinking. "But what ties the whole thing together sonically and musically," says Erik, "is my producer, Richard Zeier, at Pearl Music. I have a 'signature sound' because Richard helped me find it and focus it."
Erik married his, Lydia, in 1985, and they have two canine kids, Cecily and Maximo; his daughter from his first marriage, Monica, and son-in-law, Lamont, have given him two granddaughters, Tiana and Aliyah (in 1998 and 2003, respectively). He is also a designer (his Web site, his CDs), publishing consultant, Macintosh maven, and a prolific, published writer.
Band History:
Erik Jay works with a great group of talented musicians for both live gigs and studio sessions.
Jack Kelly (drums) is a leading L.A. session ace and the heartbeat of much of Erik Jay's music. He plays on "Vertical," the title track of "Vertical: 4-Song Sampler" and Tracks 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, and 12 of "Heart & Soul & Mind" (see name listings in music or album areas).
Richie Gajate-Garcia (drums, percussion) is one of the top Latin percussionists working today. He plays on "Samamartino" on "Vertical: 4-Song Sampler," as well as on the unreleased track, "More Amor."
Richard Torres (drums, percussion) is a versatile drummer living in the Eagle Rock area of L.A. He plays on "Best Buddies" from "Heart & Soul & Mind," as well as on the unreleased "folk-jazz" song, "For the Asking."
Graham Dorsey has 30 years of professional experience as a composer, arranger, saxophonist, and bassist, and was nominated for a Grammy in 1978. He plays bass on Tracks 3, 6, 10, and 11 of "Heart & Soul & Mind"; sax on Track 11; and bass on "Vertical" and "Sambamartino" from "Vertical: 4-Song Sampler."
Pee Wee Hill, a longtime producer and musician who has worked with Chester Thompson and many others, plays bass on "Darling Tiana" on "Heart & Soul & Mind."
Richard Zeier, owner of Pearl Music Studios and a composer/multi-instrumentalist in his own right, plays bass on "Fighting From My Knees" on "Heart & Soul & Mind."
David Rabiroff, Erik Jay's songwriting partner from the 1970's and 1980's (and perhaps again in this new millennium) plays the 12-bar guitar solo on "Vertical," the title track of "Vertical: 4-Song Sampler."
Andy Chavez and Lydia Padovani are background singers on "Darling Tiana," and Johnny Betts is a background singer on "Second Chance," all of which tracks are on "Heart & Soul & Mind."
Jack Kelly (drums) is a leading L.A. session ace and the heartbeat of much of Erik Jay's music. He plays on "Vertical," the title track of "Vertical: 4-Song Sampler" and Tracks 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, and 12 of "Heart & Soul & Mind" (see name listings in music or album areas).
Richie Gajate-Garcia (drums, percussion) is one of the top Latin percussionists working today. He plays on "Samamartino" on "Vertical: 4-Song Sampler," as well as on the unreleased track, "More Amor."
Richard Torres (drums, percussion) is a versatile drummer living in the Eagle Rock area of L.A. He plays on "Best Buddies" from "Heart & Soul & Mind," as well as on the unreleased "folk-jazz" song, "For the Asking."
Graham Dorsey has 30 years of professional experience as a composer, arranger, saxophonist, and bassist, and was nominated for a Grammy in 1978. He plays bass on Tracks 3, 6, 10, and 11 of "Heart & Soul & Mind"; sax on Track 11; and bass on "Vertical" and "Sambamartino" from "Vertical: 4-Song Sampler."
Pee Wee Hill, a longtime producer and musician who has worked with Chester Thompson and many others, plays bass on "Darling Tiana" on "Heart & Soul & Mind."
Richard Zeier, owner of Pearl Music Studios and a composer/multi-instrumentalist in his own right, plays bass on "Fighting From My Knees" on "Heart & Soul & Mind."
David Rabiroff, Erik Jay's songwriting partner from the 1970's and 1980's (and perhaps again in this new millennium) plays the 12-bar guitar solo on "Vertical," the title track of "Vertical: 4-Song Sampler."
Andy Chavez and Lydia Padovani are background singers on "Darling Tiana," and Johnny Betts is a background singer on "Second Chance," all of which tracks are on "Heart & Soul & Mind."
Your influences?
Major musical (composition) influences are Steely Dan (Fagen & Becker), Stevie Wonder, Moacir Santos, Joao Gilberto, Chick Corea, the Beatles, the Zombies, the Classics Four, Burt Bacharach, and all the great big bands. Major guitar influences are Joe Pass, Pat Martino, Larry Carlton, Wes Montgomery, Lee Ritenour, George Barnes, George Benson, and Richard Jaqua.
Equipment used:
Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor guitar, Kramer Nighthawk, Alesis QS6 keyboard, Yamaha synth, Kramer bass