Male

Born in Toronto, Jay started his performing and promoting career while at University in Nova Scotia. Starting as the Entertainment Coordinator for the St. F.X. University Student Bar, Jay also worked as the Campus Radio Station Manager and Music Director. In 1999 Jay graduated with a Business Degree.

With his background in rock, blues and acoustic music Jay founded the group The Aaron MacDonald Band (AMB), with Cape Breton singer/songwriter Aaron MacDonald. Between 1999 and 2003, as the Band's guitarist/manager/agent Jay led AMB through 4 independent releases and multiple tours across Atlantic Canada, Central Canada and Alberta resulting in over 350 shows, garnering a cult-like following for their folk-rock originals.

In 1999, Jay joined a group of promoters to establish the Evolve Music and Awareness Festival. As the festival's publicist and marketing director, Jay has helped build Evolve into one of Atlantic Canada's top festivals. Performers who have graced the stages of Evolve include; Michael Franti & Spearhead, Medeski Martin and Wood, Bullfrog w/ Kid Koala, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Moses Mayes, King Sunshine, the Be Good Tanyas, Steve Kimock Band and many others.

When the Aaron MacDonald Band disbanded in the summer of 2003, Jay enrolled in Jazz Performance studies at St. F.X. University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia and started his own funk-fusion project High Plains Drifter, with other students of the jazz program. Releasing their debut album in 2004, High Plains Drifter performed throughout Atlantic Canada including performances at The Halifax Jazz Festival, Fredericton Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, The Spring Shaker. Jay also worked in Halifax as a Booking Agent for private and public events throughout Atlantic Canada.

Relocating to Toronto in 2004, Jay founded Nufunk Concerts www.nufunk.ca and promoted events around the city with artists such as The Jimmy Swift Band, Wassabi Collective, Grand Theft Bus, Blue Quarter. By 2005 Jay had promoted events with Femi Kuti, Thomas Mapfumo, Afrika Bambaataa, Tortured Soul, Soulive, and many others

In early 2006, Jay has taken on the role of Manager for Halifax's THE JIMMY SWIFT BAND and has started 360 Degrees Artists, a booking and management company for Canadian Artists.

Jay continues to perform as High Plains Drifter and has opened for Tea Leaf Green, Burt Neilson Band, Caribou, Bryan Vargas & Ya Esta, Afromusica and many others. He has also performed at the Come Together Music Festival, Lose Yer Shoes Festival and at club dates in Southern Ontario. Jay Cleary has also performed with Caution Jam (Blues Rock), Duane Andrews (Acoustic Gypsy Jazz), Mark Wilson & The Way It Is (Classic Folk Rock), Zion King (Reggae) and has been backed up by members of The Jimmy Swift Band, Slowcoaster, Wassabi Collective and more. Jay has recently joined The Irie Band, a Toronto based dub collective.

Check out what Jay is upto by visiting:

NUFUNK CONCERTS
www.nufunk.ca
www.myspace.com/nufunk

360 Degrees Artists
www.360degreesartists.com
www.thejimmyswiftband.com
www.myspace.com/tjsb

High Plains Drifter
www.highplainsdrifter.ca

Irie Band
www.lionheart.ca

Evolve Festival
www.evolvefestival.com
www.myspace.com/evolvefestival

Other Festival Projects:
www.cometogethermusicfest.ca
www.myspace.com/cometogethermusicfest
www.myspace.com/loseyershoes