Jay Phelps, a Vancouver-born Canadian trumpeter and artist, has a warm and projecting tone that is instantly recognisable. Jay was taught by some of the best Jazz and Classical musicians in the city and quickly became the youngest band leader in the history of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Jay, then 17, moved to London in 1999 to get involved in jazz. He was immediately noticed by Gary Crosby (Dune Records), who offered Jay work in Jazz Jamaica 2002 and the chance to be a Tomorrow’s Warrior’. Jay cites Louis Armstrong, Fats Navarr, Clifford Brown, Miles Davis and Clifford Brown as early influences. He went on to co-lead Empirical, a UK Jazz sensation. Their self-titled debut album was released in May 2012. They spent two years touring major festivals, and attracted worldwide media attention. Jay has recorded and performed with an international Jazz legend, including Courtney Pine and Wynton Marsalis. Jay was a guest with Wynton Marsalis’ Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra in 2012 for Marsalis’ epic, ‘Congo Square. He took the lead as the conductor of the band and was the master himself. He then had two sold out nights with the Jay Phelps Big Band at London’s Ronnie Scott’s jazz venue. Jay branched out into television, where he was featured with the band on BBC’s Dancing on The Edge. Written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff, Jay also appeared on TV. Jay hosted the Late Show at Ronnie Scott’s for a year with several bands. He then moved the show to the Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square where he maintained his signature style. Phelps is a London-based late night host and performer at top London music venues. He also regularly tours with his own bands (JPQ and Projections:Of Miles), Jay’s Jitter Jive, and JPQ. Jay recently toured with two of Brazil’s most renowned musical exports, Ed Motta, Banda Black Rio, and Afrobeat Master Orlando Julius. He was also joined by American Soul singer Liv Warfield. Peter Brook, a renowned director, also directed the play ‘The Suit. Jay also teamed up with Trombonist Courtney Brown, a producer, to create a new group called ‘NBOC.’ This project pushes the boundaries of hip hop and modern creative music and will begin releasing in 2016. Phelps is currently recording his second solo album, ‘Free as the Birds,’ which is a departure of the more traditional approach to his first. It is due out in 2018. Jay has lived in London for the majority of his life. However, he is now based abroad to explore and learn about other musical cultures. from https://ropeadope.com
