Jonathan Kay

Jonathan Kay is a young, versatile musician that has already created a great name for himself in the thriving music scene of Toronto. Being involved in many different circles of performing musicians, he has played in jazz, studio, R&B and funk, salsa, Brazilian, east-indian and asian, klezmer, and pit orchestra projects. Jonathan started studying and performing on the tenor and soprano saxophones but also many other members of the woodwind family including flute, alto flute, piccolo, bansuri (Indian classical flute), dizi (ancient Chinese flute) clarinet, bass clarinet, alto and baritone saxes. Jonathan intriguingly and sensitively seeks out new timbal frontiers by mixing his acoustic talents with electronics, foot pedals, and the Akai Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI).     While spending 4 years getting his degree at Humber College, Jonathan had the opportunity to study extensively with world renowned Coltrane scholar, Pat LaBarbera. Other Toronto based mentors include Kieran Overs, Mike Murley and Phil Dwyer. After completing his formal studies, Jonathan has travelled to New York on many occasions to study with saxophone masters, Kenny Garrett, Lenny Pickett, and Seamus Blake. In 2005 Jonathan was accepted to The Banff International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music which brings some of the worlds best young musicians together for 3 weeks to learn from jazz icons such as Dave Douglas, Greg Osby, Mark Dresser and Vijay Iyer among others.    Released on Standback Records in 2005, “The Peddlers of Bombast” is Jonathan’s debut album as a leader for his band "The Peddlers" . He composed the music, produced the album and played 5 woodwinds on the session proving his musical versatility.      In May 2006, Jonathan traveled to Kolkata, India, alongside fellow woodwind player and brother Andrew Kay, and closest friend and bass player, Justin Gray to explore the deep musical traditions of India.  The Trio studied under Classical Indian vocal guru, Shantanu Bhattacharyya. They learned the basics of the music through the voice and applied these lessons to their western instrument. Upon returning from this inspiring trip to India, they co-founded "Monsoon" a creative group dedicated to exploring the meeting of ancient eastern traditions and western creativity. In 2007, The Trio went on to create Canada's first Indo-Jazz Festival which was headlined by Shri Shantanu Bhattacharyya as well as modern jazz genius Rudresh Mahanthappa from New York City.  The Trio also raised over $2000 for a scholarship they created for under privileged music students in India.  The Toronto Indo-Jazz festival has been growing each year and it is currently in it's 3rd year. The Trio returned to India for 7 months in 2008 and continued intense training under their Guru in Kolkata.  Alongside Shantanuji, they traveled all over North India, collaborating in 10 concerts to conclude their trip.  Currently, Jonathan is living and performing in Toronto while continuing his studies on saxophone and bansuri with Shantanuji and is planning to return to Kolkata to further his Raga Music studies in September 2010.