Home Forums Guitar News Weekly Guitar News Weekly Archive What’s Hot With Jazz Guitar: Erik Jay

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    by Doc Dosco
    http://www.docdosco.com

    This week we feature Erik Jay, a Los Angeles guitarist with a distinctive
    style and tons of talent.

    Erik Jay has refined his smooth but surprising blend of jazz, pop,
    Latin, and ballad styles over a lifetime. And now, after churning out a
    huge cache of original music across several genres and releasing his
    first CD, Heart & Soul & Mind, in 2002, Erik is continuing his musical
    trek, working on a new CD for release in 2006 – Vertical.

    In the 1980s, Erik polished his professional chops working with Vivian
    Grant, a pianist and former accompanist to legendary jazz singer Anita
    O’Day. After traveling on various musical and artistic pursuits, Erik
    settled near Los Angeles in 1990 and began the decade of musical growth,
    experimentation, and learning that culminates in the new music. In
    addition to working on his original projects, Erik has also worked
    performances and sessions with such luminaries as Abraham Laboriel Sr.,
    Graham Dorsey, Jack Kelly, Richie Gajate-Garcia, Mike Willars, Jon
    Hartmann, and Sam Mazzola. For three years during the mid- to
    late-1990s, Erik also served as music director for his small inner-city
    church.

    Erik has developed a style of music that is at once highly personal and
    highly accessible, with several distinct vocal and instrumental
    influences held together by a common theme of hope, renewal, love, and
    relentlessly positive thinking. “But what ties the whole thing together
    sonically and musically,” says Erik, “is my producer, Richard Zeier, at
    Pearly Gates Productions. I have a ‘signature sound’ because Richard
    helped me find it, frame it, and focus it.”

    Homepage:
    http://erikjay.com/

    Sound Clips:
    http://erikjay.com/secretsampler.html

    Doc Dosco is a jazz guitarist, composer and audio consultant living in
    Los Angeles, CA. His website is located at http://www.docdosco.com,
    where you can find more information on the ‘What’s Hot with Jazz Guitar’
    columns, audio clips of Doc’s playing, and many additional features. Doc
    endorses Heritage Guitars and is a featured artist on their website. He also
    endorses the new Pignose Valve Tube Amps — great for jazz (and anything else!)

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