Jay Craig
Saxophone

Baritone sax, Alto sax, Clarinet, and Flute with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra

Edinburgh-born baritone saxist Jay Craig’s infatuation with the instrument began at the tender age of fourteen when he was taken to hear Duke Ellington’s Orchestra and met the man who was to have such a profound influence on his playing – Harry Carney.

Later, following a four- year stint in the National Youth jazz Orchestra combined with several years under the stern baton of veteran bandleader Tommy Sampson at the Glasgow Rangers Club, Jay won a scholarship to Boston’s famous Berklee College of Music. After two years he left to join the Buddy Rich Orchestra, touring America and Europe with the drummer solidly for the next three years.

 

 

Upon moving to London in 1987, Jay freelanced in the West End and on tour as a theatre musician, played in the band on the QE2 liner and a played a summer season at the Sporting Club in Monte Carlo with the Johnny Howard Band before joining the BBC Big Band in 1992.

A founder member of the Echoes of Ellington, Back To Basie, John Wilson and Solid Senders orchestras he also juggled 10 years of touring with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra with his regular BBC work.

His favourite musicians include Harry Carney, Artie Shaw, Sy Oliver, Johnny Hodges, Ronnie Cuber, Kenny Baker, Luis Arcaraz, Bruce Johnstone, Duke Ellington and Woody Herman.

Over the years Jay has worked with many of his favourite artists including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Sarah Vaughan, Cleo Laine, Robert Farnon, Shirley Bassey, Natalie Cole, Billy May, Bob Florence, Lennie Niehaus, Elmer Bernstein, Les Brown, Ray Anthony, Lalo Schiffrin, Bill Russo, Rob McConnell, Michael Feinstein, Al Martino, Sammy Nestico, John Dankworth, Frank Mantooth, Rosemary Clooney, Vic Damone, Bob Brookmeyer, Louie Bellson, Monty Alexander, Ray Charles, Gerald Wilson, Mel Tormé, Seth McFarlane, Michael Bublé, Jessye Norman, Bill Holman, Sammy Davis Jr., Stan Tracey and a host of other artists as well as The London Symphony Orchestra, The BBC Concert and Scottish Symphony Orchestras, The CBSO, The London Philharmonic Orchestra and The London Sinfonietta.

For the past few years Jay has been kept busy playing baritone sax and bassoon in several West End productions – most recently “42nd Street” and in 2015 he also performed at the Albert Hall with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga!

Photo taken by Rodger Newark.


 

More Band Profiles: