Jay first began writing songs as a teenager when he performed in a Christian - rock,
garage band from Delaware. Having tried his hand at several different instruments and
musical niches, he now dubs himself, first and foremost, a songwriter. His instrument of
choice, a Taylor acoustic guitar, with which he performs an ever-growing list of diverse
covers and brilliant, innovative originals. Currently, Jay performs such artists as Dylan,
The Beatles, Neil Young, The Eagles, Johnny Cash, and many others, including later acts,
Jason Mraz, John Mayer and Barenaked Ladies. His original compositions range in genre from
folk and folk pop to acoustic driven rock, and employ such elements as riff-based guitar
work, spoken-word lyric delivery and alternative tunings. Stylistically, his music has
been compared to Dave Mathews, Dylan, and even Eminem. Some of his writing influences date
back to his childhood when he remembers being "moved" and even "spoken to
by God" as he listened to the music of singer/songwriters like Don Fransisco, Johnny
Cash, and Michael Card. Jay says, "My mom would play those records as she worked
around the house and sometimes we would sing along. The lyrical depth and emotional
vulnerability, not to mention the spiritual power of those songs, shaped not only my
writing, but also my life. They inspired me to become a songwriter!
That I could be so affected and taught by music, led me to want to master this art,
this form of expression and communication myself. Of his later influences Jay quips,
"I believe an artist is influenced by everything he or she sees and hears and feels.
You have to sort through what you can use and what you can't even stand, but still,
sometimes a thing can just come out of you that you didn't know was in there. Any
composition, any work of art is, in a sense, a collage of experiences. A most considerable
influence to me, as of late, would undoubtedly be Alanis Morissette. The broad ranging,
uncharted subject matter of her songs, her unconventional lyric arrangements, her dynamic
melodies, her infectious hooks, just the way she says what she says, is so impressive to
me. I can't help but let it influence me! I don't agree with everything she says, but of
all the people I would like to sit and have a cup of coffee with, she'd definitely be
among the top two, in the "still living" category."
Jay has written and performed with the locally and internationally recognized
singer/songwriter. Randy Lee Ashcraft and also Suzanne Mallow of "Red Letter
Day". His songs have won National Songwriting contests. Jay currently hosts an open
mic night at Strange Brews Coffee and Tea House in Delmar, Delaware and has performed
several local venues including Grillin' Joe's (now Pirate's Cove) and Dune's Manor Hotel
in Ocean City, The Cator House of Cambridge, Easton's Coffee East, The Main Squeeze in
Salisbury, and with Randy Ashcraft and/or Suzanne, at Main Street Cafe, Brew River, and
Woody's Smokehouse also in Salisbury.
While no longer entertaining delusions of grandeur. Jay hopes to achieve success as a
songwriter for well-known, established performing artists. He adds, "It would be cool
to have somewhat of a following of people who appreciate my music and are inspired by what
I have to say and I would love to make a living at this, but spending my life on a tour
bus doesn't hold much appeal for me. So I guess Columbia Records should just stop leaving
those annoying little messages for me all the time!
Jay can be reached at 410-603-2722 for bookings or guitar lessons.
email: jaytobat2002@yahoo.com |
Coffee By
The Pound 
