Jay first became interested in drums when he was about five years old and had the chance to sit behind his cousin's drum set and bang around on it. Jay finally got his own first drum set when he was twelve years old and has been playing ever since. He listens to and is influenced by all kinds of music, but he has always gravitated towards Rock.

Jay has played in a number of local rock bands since he moved to Northern Virginia from the Midwest to include Slider and most recently Jammboxx.

His favorite drummers (and main influences) include Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) and Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dregs) amongst many others.