It’s Jay Mays!!!

“My music is a music of purpose. Every lyric I write has either been an experience of my own or someone close to me. I don’t make music just to hear myself. I create my music to be a window into the reality of who I am.” This is what you will hear if you ask Jay Mays to put his music into words. It comes from his soul and is representative of his life, love, friendships and experiences. The music he has for so long called friend has shaped the man he is as much as he has cultivated each lyric and melody. Once you scratch the surface of any of his songs you find real life and its struggles with love and loss. Renowned saxophonist Charlie Parker put it best when he said, “Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your instrument.” His voice is his instrument and he plays the melodies of his life through it.Jay discovered music in the heart of Jazz, Soul, R&B and Blues, New Orleans Louisiana . He found the love of his life in Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in that very city and it has never left his side since. “I grew up in church, so Gospel is where it all began, and is still a huge part of me.” His young voice was influenced by the sounds of artists like Kim Burrell, Smokie Norful, Tonex, the Winans, Kirk Frankllin, Trinitee 5:7 and J Moss. . The youngest of four, his closest sibling is ten years his senior. At the age of 13 he lost his sister to a rare disease and it shook his life. “The death of my sister impacted the tone of my music in every way. She never got to see the musician I became. I know it’s not too late. I know I will see her again. She’s watching over me. I want to make her proud.”In high school, he struggled with his classes, spending the majority of his time with his drums or belting out melodies, as his love of harmonies and beats far outweighed his interest in completing math problems or science experiments. He left home at the age of sixteen to live with a friend and his mother because his parents didn’t understand that love, or his hunger for it in his life. Jay worked and sang at the Fudgery in New Orleans , through high school, the very same place that Drew Hill was discovered. In an environment where his passion could blossom, he cultivated his singing talent and made it through high school. Just 7 days after graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and began a new chapter in his life. Even in an environment made to stifle and conform, Jay found an outlet for music and was designated to sing the National Anthem during Tech School . There were many nights during this time spent collaborating with other singers and musicians after the drills of the day were done.A musician is made by the art that they observe. Jay has been influenced by many genres and countless artists. Old school artists like Earth Wind and Fire, Donnie Hathaway, Frankie Beverly, and Maze helped mold what his idea of melody was. In the relm of Soul, artists such as India , Musiq Soulchild, John Legend, Angie Stone, Robin Thick, and Anthony Hamilton have impacted him. R&B influences include Tank, Terell Carter, Eric Bonnet, and Jamie Fox. You can find finger prints of many of these artists in the inflection and style of any of his songs.In 2003 Jay performed at Jazz Fest in New Orleans with a group called Forgiven. In 2007 he opened for Sean Kingston at a concert in Panama City Beach . He has been featured on many tracks of underground artists. He is currently working on a new song titled “How Can I Let Go” as well as a remake of his song “It’s Over”. His next project in the works is completion of his first CD.Jay Mays is finding his audience the best way possible; through heartfelt, intensely personal music that can touch anyone at the core. His message is always one of honesty and realism, that can translate into the life of any of us, and is delivered with such energy that it makes you never want to stop listening."; I edited my profile at Freeweblayouts.net , check out these Myspace Layouts!
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