Ask anyone who has known or worked professionally with Jay Oliver and they will tell you: this guy is one of the most gifted and respected composers, producers, and pianists you could ever hope to meet. A longtime friend and collaborator with Dave Weckl who helped spearhead Dave's first three solo releases and who also appeared on the Dave Weckl Band's first two releases ("Rhythm of the Soul" and "Synergy"), Jay's musical portfolio is extremely diverse and impressive. At age 19, Jay was already performing with legendary trumpeter Maynard Ferguson. Later, while running a production studio in St. Louis, Jay was approached by a young schoolteacher named Sheryl Crow, who was interested in learning more about music and becoming a singer. Years later, as best of friends, they wrote and collaborated on many songs together which ultimately became Crow's first record for A&M Records. Some of the songs Oliver and Crow had written were recorded by the likes of Celine Dion,  Wynonna Judd and many others. At heart, Jay has always been a jazz musician, but his mainstream/pop sensibilities have been well utilized. He spent several years writing, recording, producing and performing as part of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, and also wrote, recorded, produced and performed with Glenn Frey and The Eagles. Jay has also worked with Joe Walsh, Bonnie Raitt, Boz Skaggs, Keith Thomas, Jay Graydon, Chick Corea,  Peter Mayer, and many more. After leaving the DWB in 1999, Jay became very interested in exploring various indigenous forms of world music –  and put together a world music project with friend and visionary Ricky Gannaway. The project is called “AO” and their exploits resulted in journeys to Indonesia, Ireland, and India. They received a special invitation to China, where they worked with the exclusive CBC Children’s Choir to create theme music for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In the past few years, Jay has embarked on an exploratory pilgrimage to a land boasting of perhaps the richest of musical cultures:  India.  There, he was introduced to a paradox of  freshly new and traditionally authentic Indian music styles; so profound that one could say Jay's his life has changed both musically and spiritually.  In India, Jay worked with Sandeep Chowta - one of India's most popular and prolific composers, who served as both ambassador and mentor to the cutting-edge Indian scene as well as it’s deep and powerful musical roots. Currently, Jay is working on a record with Russ Kunkel, a highly-respected session drummer who is best-known for his work with James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Lyle Lovett, and many others.  Russ is one of the most recorded drummers in history, appearing on a countless number of hit records. In the Fall of 2006, Jay will be recording a solo piano CD and plans to release it just before the North American DWB tour begins. This CD will reflect Jay's commitment over the past three years to return to his piano roots. More news about this project will soon be available on Jay's personal web site.  Click here to learn more about AO (follow links on the site to watch the Olympic theme video) Click here to return to the top of the page.

Click icons to load videos. Watch Steve and Gary trade hot solos in "Mesmereyes"   Tom and Dave tear it up on "Toby's Blues"   Some nice groovin' on "Pursuit"   Click images to learn more about current DWB members. Click images to learn more about these former DWB members.