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.