The Man Behind the Music

A Journey of Song, from Reno, NV to the Vienna Opera House

   This talented entertainer has burst onto the international music scene with his debut vocal album, Keepsake. However, like many "overnight success stories" this one is many years in the making. The story begins in Reno, Nevada, where, at the age of 3, Jay was put into tap dance class. "I still remember the thrill of our first recital", he reminisces "we were all singing and dancing and the audience was smiling and applauding. It was amazing! All I know is that, somehow, it felt right". Right, indeed! Young Berry was a natural, performing in every school play and musical that came along.

   Jay was given a magic kit at age 5, performed in his first professional stage play at 7 and joined a school string orchestra at 8. Recognizing a unique set of talents, his music teacher then arranged a successful audition for the exclusive Sierra Boys' Choir. By his early teens, he was playing guitar and drums, acting, performing magic and singing in musicals.

   All of this laid an essential foundation for a career in show business. Straight from high school, the limelight beckoned and he moved to Hollywood. Within 3 years, he was performing in Europe and living in Paris where his heartfelt style took hold and blossomed. Many thousands of shows later, Berry is an acclaimed producer and entertainer whose career has spanned the globe, having performed on many of the world's top stages, from Las Vegas to Monte Carlo.

   In the 90's, Berry produced 3 acclaimed instrumental albums. Soon, he was in Vienna, composing music for ballet at the Vienna Opera House. One of his songs was used as a theme song for an Italian TV show. His timeless melodies have been heard around the world and continue to be used as film, video and theatrical soundtracks.

   Now, with the release of Keepsake, the circle comes complete and Jay is back where he began, guitar in hand and singing from the heart. A master showman, he returns to his roots, with the raw passion of a teenager coupled with 30 years of real-world experience. "Growing up, I was strongly influenced by John Denver, Neil Diamond and Gordon Lightfoot.", he says, "This essential, vocal- based, music has always stayed in my heart."

   As Jay's music climbs the charts, he has just wrapped up a world tour which began in Rome in early March. He continued across Italy into Switzerland, San Marino and Croatia even performing at the 800th Venice Carnival! The European leg culminated in London with "The Full Moon Concert - A Romantic Evening Under the Stars".

Berry has always taken the attitude of a pioneer in whatever field he focuses on. It is this "can do" attitude that defines who he really is. In a recent interview, he was asked about his personal secret to success. He replied, with characteristic flair, "The secret to success? We'd all love to be able to predict the future. The best way to predict the future is to create it yourself. I think that the secret to success is having the sheer audacity to imagine a goal and the stubborn determination to stick with it, in the face of all obstacles. Don't wait around for someone to discover you. Be bold. Go out, grab the world by the horns and hang on. Have the courage to dream big. There is no such thing as false hope. One of the greatest things you will experience in life is the sense of true accomplishment; but you won't get it unless you actually accomplish something. It won't be easy, nothing worth achieving ever is. Nobody gets a free ride. With that in mind, let any adversity you face simply fuel your enthusiasm and determination. Don't waste any time viewing others as competitors. You are your only competition. Don't follow anyone. True Art is only achieved through unique individuality. You only fail if you give up...so don't."