Come On In...
Who am I?
My friends call me Jay.
My friends call me Jay.
I'm a funkateer originally from New York City. I left initially to pursue a career in the military but found I was destined to play some kind of part in music. I knew it as a kid when my parents would scold me for not saving at least some of my allowance but blowing it all on the latest 45rpm, then eventually, albums. I'll never forget when Boz Scaggs came out with Lowdown, how I thought the arrangement was killer, I had to have this song. It was my last 99 cents plus tax that I had and against my Mom's warnings I bought the record. Of course I got busted and was on the end of a heavy chewing. I don't know what made me do it but I put the record on and all of sudden everything changed, she loved the song too. We started dancing! I still laugh about it to this day. I am one of five who grew up in a household that was forever music with so much variety. Though Pop had his flavor it was Mom's taste that basically ruled. She would flow from jazz to standards, from r&b to pop, from old to new. She was into anything that felt good and had this knack of inviting anyone and everyone into her party. Especially around the holidays, there would be good food and music. The whole family would be cooking and dancing. The neighbors used to crash, they heard the music and us having a good time and smelled the food and my Mom being the loving woman she was would invite them in.
After the military I ended up in Denver, I still love the city to this very day. Unfortunately the music scene was a very small one. I was able to find the Cigars and we left for Florida. As soon as we got there they disbanded. I decided to stay, settling in the Tampa Bay area, working with a variety of bands, either sitting in or fronting. Not every situation was a good one but it was definitely growth. I learned so much from each project I had been involved with and am thankful for the people I met. I used to think the funniest thing I'd been asked by folks who'd seen my performance 'where do you get so much energy?'. I never really thought about it since I know when you love or are passionate about something you can pretty much do it all the time and not get tired of it. I started thinking back to Mom, she was the life of the party. She was an entertainer....in her own home, but an entertainer. She would have us laughing and dancing. I honestly enjoy watching people having a good time, especially at weddings. If anything I know my sibs and I definitely got that from her. I'm blessed in that I get to do what I love to do.
Though I don't get much time these days, I love to read, a good mystery keeps me happy. I basically enjoy cooking and wine tasting. I gotta have my coffee! There's nothing better than a cup of joe and fresh baked banana nut or zucchini bread on a Sunday morning. I spend a lot of time listening to a variety music. I personally do not have a favorite, there's just too much good music out there to be closed minded. You will never hear my get into that kind of discussion.
Some of the folks that I listen to and have included links to their sites are:
Michael Jackson
After the military I ended up in Denver, I still love the city to this very day. Unfortunately the music scene was a very small one. I was able to find the Cigars and we left for Florida. As soon as we got there they disbanded. I decided to stay, settling in the Tampa Bay area, working with a variety of bands, either sitting in or fronting. Not every situation was a good one but it was definitely growth. I learned so much from each project I had been involved with and am thankful for the people I met. I used to think the funniest thing I'd been asked by folks who'd seen my performance 'where do you get so much energy?'. I never really thought about it since I know when you love or are passionate about something you can pretty much do it all the time and not get tired of it. I started thinking back to Mom, she was the life of the party. She was an entertainer....in her own home, but an entertainer. She would have us laughing and dancing. I honestly enjoy watching people having a good time, especially at weddings. If anything I know my sibs and I definitely got that from her. I'm blessed in that I get to do what I love to do.
Though I don't get much time these days, I love to read, a good mystery keeps me happy. I basically enjoy cooking and wine tasting. I gotta have my coffee! There's nothing better than a cup of joe and fresh baked banana nut or zucchini bread on a Sunday morning. I spend a lot of time listening to a variety music. I personally do not have a favorite, there's just too much good music out there to be closed minded. You will never hear my get into that kind of discussion.
Some of the folks that I listen to and have included links to their sites are:
Michael Jackson
James Brown
Ray Charles
George Clinton
Otis Redding
Shuggie Otis
Chaka Khan
Earth, Wind, & Fire
Joe Cocker
Rachelle Farrell
Ray Charles
George Clinton
Otis Redding
Shuggie Otis
Chaka Khan
Earth, Wind, & Fire
Joe Cocker
Rachelle Farrell
