Jay started playing in local bands in his hometown of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, when he was just 15. At 20, he moved to Southern California to pursue his music career further. Influenced by local harmonica legends like Charlie Musselwhite, William Clarke, Rod Piazza, and George "Harmonica" Smith, Jay honed his style and became known as one of the best players in the region. He fronted bands, sang, and played harmonica, becoming a prominent figure in the West Coast music scene.
Eventually, Jay joined the nightcrawlers TM, a recording artist whose second album, "Lessons to be Learned," gained popularity on radio and tours across the West Coast.
In Los Angeles, Jay formed The Jay Edward Band, collaborating with renowned musicians like Barry Levenson from Canned Heat, Rick Reed from Paul Butterfield's band, Brophy Dale who played with Lee Rocker of Stray Cats, and Garrett Deloian who performed with Janiva Magness. After 40 years on the West Coast, Jay returned to Wisconsin in 2016 and continued performing with The Jay Edward Band. In 2018, they were nominated for their first WAMI Award, and in 2019, they won the WAMI for "Best Blues Artist." They also released their only album, "Chest Pain," featuring guitar great Jay Stulo. The album received airplay and acclaim, and the band was featured on the TV show "Rock Garden Presents," produced by Marc Golde.
Tony Menzer has been an integral figure in the Wisconsin music scene for over 50 years. Throughout his illustrious career, he has collaborated with some of the most renowned musicians in the industry, leaving an indelible mark on the local music landscape.
Notably, Menzer has worked extensively in various combos alongside legends such as W.C. Clark for 15 years, Clyde Stubblefield for 12 years, and Westside Andy and Mel Ford Band for 12 years, among others. His repertoire includes collaborations with esteemed artists like Chris Aaron, Dave Steffen, and the Ken Saydak Band for over 30 years.
As a multifaceted musician, Menzer has founded several musical ventures, including the iconic Velveetatones and Lorenzo Menzerschmidt. He has also played pivotal roles in bands such as Perry Weber and The Devilles featuring Hubert Sumlin.
Beyond his performance career, Menzer has made significant contributions to the music community by spearheading various festivals. He is the founder of Wisconsin's first and longest-running Blues festival, the Big Bull Falls Blues Festival in Wausau, and has played key roles in organizing events like Berghoff and Blues in Monroe and the Sun Prairie Blues Festival.
Furthermore, Menzer has served as a partner in the Steelbridge Festival in Sturgeon Bay for its entire 19-year duration, showcasing his dedication to promoting music and fostering artistic talent.
In addition to his live performances and festival endeavors, Menzer has contributed to the creation of over 100 songs and participated in studio work for more than 500 tracks, showcasing his versatility and prowess as a musician.
With an impressive body of work and a lasting impact on the music community, Tony Menzer continues to be a driving force in the Wisconsin music scene, leaving behind a rich legacy that resonates with audiences far and wide.
Originating out of Appleton, WI, Tony studied at the famed Lawrence Conservatory of Music, where he began his career with the nationally known jazz fusion group Matrix. After leaving Matrix, Tony became a long time member of Janet Planet’s jazz combo. In the Fox Cities, Tony also founded and operated the widely known Tony’s Drum Shops. These stores catered to drummers and percussionists. In addition he became well known for his reputation in educating young drummers. The drum shops in Green Bay & Appleton had over 250 students taking lessons on a weekly basis. During his ownership of the drum shops Tony brought many of the world’s most famous drummers to the area for semi-annual drum clinics such as Steve Smith, Dave Weckl , Anton Fig and Jack DeJohnette.
For decades, Tony was also the founder/leader of the the award winning & Milwaukee based band Streetlife, the house band for the Milwaukee Bucks. While in Streetlife, Tony toured the U.S & Europe, playing music festivals and recording 4 CD’s with Streetlife. After moving to Central WI, Tony joined Otis & the Alligators, blues band for 2 years. He now continues his career as an independent artist spearheading a unique musical venue, bringing world class musicians to the area. Tony recently opened a state of the art private drum studio to once again personally educate young drummers, while maintaining a busy performance schedule of 100 concert dates per year.
Patrick is an eclectic, passionate, and seasoned professional with nearly 40 years of experience playing guitar. After studying jazz guitar at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and performing in their jazz ensemble, he set out to hone his skills by playing live gigs. Often tackling music that was completely new to him, Patrick learned to adapt quickly, playing in real time on stage. These years of experience have shaped his ability to be a true shapeshifter on the instrument.
At the core of Patrick's playing is the spirit of jazz, but he is far from a purist. He draws from a colorful palette of tones and seamlessly blends various styles. Whether he's mimicking pedal steel sounds in Western swing, infusing Hendrix-inspired neosoul, or diving into atonal free jazz, Patrick is always in his element.
His professional resume includes being a member of the Furious Bongos, a Frank Zappa tribute band curated by Zappa's original bass player, Arthur Barrow. He has also filled in as a last-minute substitute for Nashville recording artists, performing in front of 40,000 people at the Country Thunder Music Festival. In addition, he has played thousands of other gigs.
As a session player, Patrick has worked at the Bomb Shelter with Andreja Tokic and recorded countless sessions at the now-defunct MMI. His work has been featured in television spots and commercials, including contributions to Warner Brothers programs *Supernatural* and *The Outsiders*.
Dennis grew up in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where he began his musical journey at the age of six, taking organ lessons on a Hammond M2. However, during high school, he found himself feeling burned out on organ literature and made the switch to piano when he entered college. In 1989, Dennis graduated with a Music/Business/Audio Engineering degree from the University of Oshkosh.
Upon moving to Nashville, Dennis embarked on a thriving music career, quickly establishing himself as an in-demand session keyboard player. He had the opportunity to collaborate with numerous country music stars, including notable figures such as T. Graham Brown, Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie fame, Jack Pearson from the Allman Brothers Band, and Leroy Parnell. Dennis also toured with Delbert McClinton from 2011 until Delbert's retirement in 2021.
One of the pinnacle moments of Dennis' career came at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, where he clinched the Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album for his work on "Tall Dark and Handsome" with Delbert McClinton.
Now retired and residing in the Stevens Point area, Dennis continues to share his musical talents. He maintains a studio and lends his skills to artists worldwide, providing overdubs that enhance their projects with his signature touch.
Dennis has been married for almost 50 years and has 3 children and one grandchild. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and Ham Radio N9OQ.