Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

JAY, DOUG, and the BLUE JAYS

Douglas H. Jay (b 1953, Pensacola FL) Blues harmonica and vocalist. The family moved often, to Virginia, Rhode Island, California, Texas and Hawaii, before finally settling in the Washington, DC area. He discovered blues as a teenager, hopelessly hooked by the recordings of Little Walter; he took up the harmonica and turned pro in the early 70s, joining The Allstars, from Charlottesville, Virginia in 1976, one of the earliest of the 'New Wave' of second-generation blues/roots touring bands of the late-1970s and 80s.

The scene included Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Roomful of Blues, The Blasters, Delbert McClinton, George Thoroughgood, The Nighthawks and many others, most of whom shared a stage with the Allstars at one time or another. The Allstars toured widely, and Jay had the opportunity to jam and gig with Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Sunnyland Slim, John Hammond Jr., Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes and a host of others. In 1978 the Allstars' only album, Tip Your Waitress, was released on the Adelphi label, receiving a rave review by Nick Tosches in Rolling Stone.

In 1980 Jay was recruited by Bob Margolin to join his new band following Margolin's seven years as lead guitarist with Muddy Waters. Touring with Margolin, Jay shared the vocals in addition to his harp duties; after that, working in the Washington DC area, Jay began writing original material. During the 1980s, the West Coast blues/roots scene had exploded with the likes of Robert Cray, Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers, The James Harman Band, Little Charlie & the Nightcats and scores of others. Jay moved to San Francisco in 1990 and formed the first edition of the Blue Jays. Featuring Bay Area guitar virtuoso Anthony Paule, the band worked regularly in Northern California, and made Jay's first CD Until We Meet Again '93, with eight of his original songs. This led to extensive touring in Europe, including two tours in 1993 with Vienna's Mojo Blues Band, three tours of Italy in 1993-5, and two German tours in 1998-9.

In 1994 Doug returned to Washington DC and formed an east coast band, issuing his second CD Get It While It's Hot in the late 1990s, a blend of amplified blues, roots rock, jump swing and R&B, with ten original tunes and an all-star cast: West Coast guitarist Alex Schultz, East Coast drummer Big Joe Maher, Nashville keyboardist Kevin McKendree and ‘50s doo-wop kings The Legendary Orioles, among others. His special genius, in fact, is assembling killer bands as a showcase for himself. Having developed close musical ties in Europe, and like many American musicians before him more widely appreciated there than at home, in the new century he spends much of his time touring the Continent, a frequent headliner at Blues and city festivals and club appearances. His third CD, Jackpot! 2005 featured first-class young European talent: the German guitarist Christoph 'Jimmy' Reiter, Dutchmen Jasper Mortier on bass and Andre 'Werki' Werkmeister on drums, and with help from pianist Chris Rannenberg, 'Sax' Gordon Beadle, Thomas Feldmann on baritone sax, and Roel Spanjers on keyboards. The CD included everything from Texas twang to all the styles of blues Jay has discovered in his decades of touring. The band was already working on their next CD, and planning a DVD. America's loss is Europe's gain.