Primary Instrument: Guitar
His new release, Drink My Wine (2012) is collaboration of some the best Memphis musicians around. There are 11 songs with 9 originals and covers of Willie Dixon's “Hoochie Coochie Man” and Robert Geddins' “Tin Pan Alley.” Special guests on the record include Grammy Winner and Music Hall of Fame inductee Wayne Jackson (trumpet) on originals “Workday Blues” and “Too Late Baby.” Wayne Jackson is best known for his work as part of the Memphis Horns whos recordings appeared on nearly every Stax Records recording, helping the label define its sound. Rodd Bland, son of legendary Bobby “Blue” Bland, appears on drums on the original instrumental “Zilla.”
Darren Jay joined the U.S. Navy in 1996 taking a short break from the music scene in Miami from where he started playing in bands at the early age of 15. It was not until 2005, at the age of 28, did Darren finally decide to leave active duty to pursue his musical ambitions. He formed the Darren J Trio in 2006. Home based in Pensacola Florida, the group was best described as a hard working traveling band that played all through Northwest Florida averaging more than 150 shows a year. The band's live shows, highly praised from fans, the Pensacola News Journal and local radio stations for their memorable performances, consisted of traditional and contemporary original high energy electric blues. In 2007 he released his first album, named “Panhandle Blues,” which won him critical praise for his songwriting and guitar skills. In 2008, he competed in the 24th International Blues Challenge on Beale St. in Memphis Tennessee, as the representative of the Blues Society of N.W. Florida. In late 2008, he moved to Washington D.C. and joined forces with up and coming artist Stacy Brooks as her guitar player. By mid 2009, he had made recording contributions on Stacy Brooks studio album, “Love, Peace and the Blues,” produced by Kenny Neal and Stackhouse Recording artist Memphis Gold.
Darren Jay now resides in Memphis TN and is backed by veteran musician Laura Cupit on bass and Hubert “Hbomb” Crawford on drums. He is currently deployed with the U.S. Navy Reserves to Kuwait and is scheduled to be back December 2012. Darren Jay served as President of the Memphis Blues Society from 2010-2012 and is currently an active board member. He is a current member of The Blues Foundation. Darren Jay is endorsed by Blackfoot Custom Amps.
