Jay

As a multi-instrumentalist, I (like Bonnie) have spent a large part of my life listening and playing with sounds. As a kid, I studied classical piano and guitar, but it wasn’t until my introduction to hand drumming that I began to create with music. The simplicity, the soul and the rhythms of traditional cultures ironically gave me a sense of freedom; I was able to discover self-expression and spirituality in music for the first time. I now enjoy composing and improvising with any of the various instruments I play; including bass, voice, kalimba, guitar and percussion. I always feel blessed and thankful to have the opportunities to create with others.

I also enjoy sharing my ideas about rhythm and improvisation. I am a music teacher at the Hilltop Montessorri School in Brattleboro, and one highlight is the percussion band, where we improvise with both traditional and kid-composed grooves. I perform and lead workshops around New England in improvisation and drumming, both as a soloist and with my good friend and master drummer, Steve Leicach. We have a great musical and personal relationship, and it’s pretty evident when we play music together.