Canadian drummer, composer and bandleader Jay Boehmer has been performing in the Toronto music scene since 1990. Jay graduated from Toronto’s Humber College Jazz Program as a performance major where he developed an interest in composition.
Composing at the piano with the spirit of a drummer, his music ranges from straight-ahead swing to off-beat rhythmic grooves. His compositions have been influenced by artists such as Miles Davis, Pat Metheny and Oscar Peterson.
Following Humber College, Jay spent the 90’s as part of Toronto’s Queen Street indie scene recording and performing with numerous bands including Dr. Minz and the Chronic Harmonic, Ballyhoo and singer/songwriter Kyp Harness. Jay has also played drums and percussion in over 40 theatre productions across Ontario including shows for the Stirling Festival Theatre, the Georgian Theatre Festival (Meaford), Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton) and Drayton Entertainment.
In 1995, Jay founded his quartet Jay Boehmer Jazz as an outlet for his original compositions. He released his debut CD Don’t Look Back in 1999 at the Top O’ The Senator jazz club in Toronto. The disc features Juno award winning saxophone player Pat LaBarbera who has performed with jazz drummers Buddy Rich and Elvin Jones. Don’t Look Back has been played on CBC national radio, Jazz FM91 and many Canadian campus radio stations. Jay’s group has also been featured on CBC television and City TV.
A second CD entitled Autumn Afternoon was released in 2007. This recording features Jay’s crisp drumming style and original compositions. Jay is accompanied on this disc by Michael Barber (piano), Henry Heillig (acoustic bass) and Kevin Barrett (guitar) as well as other Toronto musicians. Both discs are available online from the Canadian Music Centre and iTunes.
From 2005 to 2010, the Jay Boehmer Band performed regularly at Toronto’s Old Mill Inn. With singer Michelle Berting, the group covered classic songs, dance hits and popular standards. The Jay Boehmer Band was also the house band at The Old Mill for many visiting tribute acts including The Platters, The Coasters, The Temptations, The Supremes and The Marvelettes.
Jay is currently performing with country sweethearts Dirty Dishes, the Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble and the New Vibes Jazz Quintet, from Kitchener, Ontario. The Jay Boehmer Trio continues to perform in clubs and for corporate and private parties.
Originally from Kitchener-Waterloo, Jay currently resides with his wife and two children in Mississauga, Ontario.
