Jay T. Vonada, of Aaronsburg Pennsylvania, had his debut CD, Jammin', released on Tuesday July 22, 2008. His latest CD, Red Pajamas, will be released in Janurary of 2012. This new recording features trombone, organ and drums.
Jammin' CD's can be purchased through Jay himself, or CD Baby at www.cdbaby.com/cd/vonada
Jay attended Mansfield University in the fall of 1993, studying jazz improvisation with Dr. Michael Galloway for one year and jazz arranging for one semester. He was lead trombonist and featured soloist with the Mansfield University Jazz Band for four years, where they performed at the PMEA, MENC, and placed third at the Villanova Jazz Festival in 1994. Jay played with jazz saxophonist Bob Mintzer at the Mansfield University Jazz Festival, and also performed with Mansfield alumni Neil Slater, who was the director of the One O'clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas. In 1999, Jay won a scholarship to study at the Berklee College of Music.
Since leaving College, Jay has performed at his high school with the jazz band, in the pit orchestra for Penns Valley High School from 1999-2001, for the Bald Eagle Area High School from 2002-2004, for Singing On Stages production of Dream Girls in 2006, Oliver in 2007, Apple Tree and Barnum in 2009, and Oliver and Hairspray in 2010. He was also trombonist with the Valley Jazz Orchestra from 2004-2007, and trombonist with Jazz Innate, an octet, from 2003-2005.
Jay was also the Lead Trombonist with the Keystone Society of Swing Big Band from 2001-2006, He plays in a trombone quartet called Trombone Chowder, and a five trombone and rhythm section jazz group, Slide Zone. He also played in a jazz sextet, Liquid Jazz, playing original music and standard tunes.
Currently he plays in a quartet of trombone, guitar, bass and drums and in a big band, Zeropoint, playing the solo trombone book. He also has smaller groups, a jazz trio of trombone, organ, drums that has played at Lewisburg Live, Raystown Lake Amphitheater, and South Hills Business School Summer Concert Series. He has a duo of trombone and guitar, or trombone and keyboard called J-Mac that has played throughout the centre region including many nursing homes and assisted living communities. Jay has also had the privilege of playing with vocalist Catherine Dupuis, pianist Russ Kassoff, bassists Martin Wind, Jay Anderson, David Finck and Jay Leonhart and drummers Tim Horner and Dennis Mackrel at the Jazz PA Festival from 2005-2010.
Most tracks can be heard on his website www.jtvonada.net. Email at jvtrombon@verizon.net