Full Name: Jay “Blue Jay” Jourden
Thanks for your time. So, tell us in what part of the First Coast you reside now, and how long you lived there?
Ponted Vedra Beach 12 years
When did you know you had an interest in music?
In my mother’s womb!
Did you start with any specific instrument and migrate to other instruments?
Latin Percussion instruments, pianos, guitars, blues harp, lead vocals
Are you currently in a band (or bands)?
Hott Traxx & The Grammy(r) Family
Who is your favorite musician, or what musician influenced you the most?
I don’t have one favorite artist. I have been influenced by many!
Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?
Opening up the Westfest Shows with AIM in front of 46K people!
Producing Ross Perot’s Campaign shows with bands like Johnny Maestro, The Cavaliers, and another of my bands back in the day, The Coalition. Touring with Chango and opening for Ike & Tina Turner and Robin Trower.
Shows with Muhammed Ali, Bonnie Raitt, John Sebastian, Richie Havens, Stevie Wonder, The Thunderbirds, & so many more during concerts with AIM for Wounded Knee and The Longest Walk.
Being introduced onstage for my performance during the No Nukes Concert Series by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, & Mary.
Being able to hang out and be around The Band, Paul Butterfield, John Hall & Orleans, so many more!
What area bands or musicians are at the top of your list to go out to hear?
Madz; Dee Rock; Blackwood Mojo; Kenny Holliday; Cyril Neville, Tyrone Vaughan, Claudette King, and I get to perform with them all!
Do you have a favorite venue that you enjoy playing locally?
Used to be Whisky Jax Baymeadows.
Do you have any gigs coming up to tell our readers about?
We have another show coming up out at The Lake Shore with the Denton Elkins Foundation! I love the crowd there and the owners are super cool people!
What is the best way for musicians to network?
Record and get your work released, then promote!
Are there any local venue owners/managers that you would like to rave about?
We love Jay Smith and all the people in the Blues Society, of course, Frank Allen Sr., who manages a lot of our local photograph publishing, Lake Shore, Mudville, and The Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, where we hope to bring The Review to town within a year!
If you had a question you would like to ask another musician, what would it be?
Don’t have one.
Personal hobbies or interests? Family?
Pool and Health & Fitness; My Band!
What’s the best thing for you about living on the First Coast?
Close to major forms of transportation and the sheer number of amazing musicians and vocal artists that live here!
Where and how can folks learn more about you and/or your band? Links to your website?
Is there anything else that you want to tell everyone reading this?
Keep rockin’ your dreams, don’t fade away!
- About the Author
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Glenn is the founder and publisher of First Coast Life. He is also a wonderful storyteller. Born on the 4th of July, he spends his spare time taking his camera and exploring everything beautiful this region offers with his rescue dog Callie by his side. He loves meeting new people and capturing the many beautiful moments and amazing local stories that showcase the true spirit of the area.
