THE BIOGRAPHY
Author - Composer/Arranger - Chef - Musician - Singer/Songwriter - Producer - Visual Artist
"A ROMANTIC NIGHT"
MILES JAYE is one of the most captivating performers on the scene today, with a signature voice that is arguably one of the best in the business and a red electric violin that places him in a class and category all his own. Like his namesake MILES DAVIS - MILES JAYE is a true artist and truly one of a kind.
Early Childhood
Miles Jaye, born Miles Jaye Davis, was born in November of 1957 in Yonkers, New York, home to Ella Fitzgerald, Mary J. Blige, Steven Tyler and rap icon, DMX. After mom moved the children to Brooklyn, he was raised as the youngest child of a single mom. His siblings much older than he, Jaye was a "latch key kid" before the term was popularized.
If it had it not been for a strong willed, loving, caring mom, who saw to it that Jaye and his siblings were provided a strict church upbringing and that young Miles had violin lessons whenever possible, he might have become a product of the Brooklyn streets like Mike Tyson and the Notorious B.I.G. It was Jaye’s father, himself a working musician, and avid jazz fan who chose the name Miles for his youngest son.
Music Education
A beneficiary of New York City's public school music programs, Jaye was introduced to the violin in the fourth grade. Having quickly displayed an aptitude for what is typically a very difficult instrument to grasp, his mom enrolled him in violin lessons at Williamsburg Settlement House in Brooklyn. From there he transferred his studies in violin and music theory to the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. Jaye also studied violin at the Saratoga School of Orchestral Studies, Indian Hill, and Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music.
​
Military Service
Miles served 5 years in the U.S. Air Force. He began his service as a language student at the Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterey, California. After hearing a performance by a visiting Air Force Band, Jaye requested a transfer from language training to his first love, music, in the Air Force Band. Suffice it to say, transfer was a difficult proposition, however, the tide of good fortune flowed in his favor and he was transferred to the Air Force Band of the Southwest at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona.
After a year at Luke, Jaye applied for an opening for a vocalist with the Pacific Air Force Band stationed at Clarke Air Force Base in the Philippines. It was there that Jaye was first introduced to lead singing. Jaye’s supervisor recalls the fact that Miles was not a natural. It took some coaxing but once he caught on, it was smooth sailing. Jaye doesn’t hesitate to credit his mentor for showing him the ropes and building his on-stage confidence.
Early Professional Career
After returning from a 5-year stint in the U.S. Air Force, Jaye served as sideman to songstress Phyllis Hyman, balladeer Jon Lucien and Jazz guitarist, Eric Gale on voice, violin, flute and piano touring the U.S. and Europe. For two years, Jaye was the "Cop" with THE VILLAGE PEOPLE - of “YMCA,” “IN THE NAVY” and “MACHO MAN" fame, touring the U.S, South America, S. Korea, and Australia.
Jaye actually opened the show in Australia with a beloved Australian folk song, “Waltzing Matilda,” on violin… in his Cop uniform. Imagine that! In August of ‘83, Jaye led the group headlining the Riviera on the Vegas strip.
Interestingly, Jaye is one of only a few group leaders who after leaving were able to forge successful solo careers. He joins the ranks of Luther Vandross, Lenny Williams, Jeffrey Osborn, Howard Hewett, Will Downing, not to mention Sam Cooke (Soul Stirrers), Smokey Robinson (The Miracles) and Michael Jackson (The Jackson 5) and of course, Teddy Pendergrass (Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes).
​
Solo Recording Artist
In 1987 Jaye left New York for Philadelphia to sign with Teddy Pendergrass’ Top Priority Records, distributed by Island and Atlantic records. It was in his first year with Top Priority that he recorded “I’ve Been a Fool for You” and “Let’s Start Love Over.” In year two, Top Priority bowed out of the deal, leaving Jaye signed directly to Island by way of a so-called Pass-Through Clause.
With a total of 22 CD titles to his credit, the first three, MILES, IRRESISTIBLE and STRONG, featured the Billboard Top Ten hit singles – “Let’s Start Love Over,” “Heaven,” and “Objective” featuring Grover Washington, Jr. and the soul classic “I’ve Been a Fool for You” - a favorite of adult radio formats nationwide.
Jaye has been joined on his own recordings by such notables as Grover Washington, Jr., Roy Ayers, Nat Adderley, Jr., Paul Jackson, Jr. and Branford Marsalis. He is especially proud of writing and producing for his mentor, legendary R&B star Teddy Pendergrass on his certified Gold JOY CD. George Duke produced two tracks on the Strong – CD, “Is It Time for A Kiss,” and “Make it Last,” a beautiful co-write with Duke.
The Composer/Producer
A prolific composer/producer, Jaye has penned and recorded nearly 200 BMI registered titles making him one of the most prolific writer/composers of his generation of recording artists. He also has the unique distinction of having played and recorded no less than 9 different musical instruments throughout his discography. In 2013-2014, Jaye released 3 projects on 3 different instruments-- ATTENERGY featuring Jazz violin, THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE featuring Jazz piano, and GOD’S CREATION featuring his unmistakable soulful vocals. These accomplishments are arguably unique and unprecedented.
For the 2016-2017 season Jaye introduced THE CLASSICS-- a soulful tribute to the late Isaac Hayes, Teddy Pendergrass, and Luther Vandross, A ROMANTIC NIGHT- a double-CD set of sensual, romantic instrumentals, HEART & SOUL- a second double-CD set and the first official collection of Jaye classics from "I've Been A Fool For You" to "Is It Time For A Kiss" and "Make It Last" and the new holiday offering, MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONGS, featuring the instant classic- "Christmas Without You."
More Than A Recording Artist
Jaye is one of the most diverse artists of our generation. In addition to his successful music career, he is an award-winning journalist, as contributor for local and national publications such as the Dallas Weekly, Florida Star and Black Men magazine. He is also an author/novelist with titles such as “Margerette”, “So You Think You Know Love”, “So You Think You Know Music”, “The Last Love Song” and “Vertigo… Essays and Opinions of an Unstable Black Man”. “Selim’s Big Surprise” is Jaye’s first children’s book. His play "The Last Love Song" opened to rave reviews in Atlanta, Georgia.
​
Acting & Advertising
Jaye studied acting and voice-overs at the Actor's Center in Philadelphia, PA. He co-starred with Cameo's, Larry Blackman in Shelley Garret's "You're Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else," featuring Lisa Raye, Bernadette Stanis, and Kim Whitely. Jaye was a cast member in Vy Higginsen's, "Mama I Want to Sing" and an Off-Broadway production of Peter Shaffer's controversial psycho-drama, "Equus." In addition to various radio PSA's, Jaye has done national advertisements for clients such as Burger King, Lincoln Mercury, and Coors beer.
The Chef
Miles Jaye attended and completed Le Cordon Bleu College for Culinary Arts in 2015, one of the world’s most highly acclaimed schools of its type. Graduating with honors, he is a formally trained and licensed chef. For a time, he owned and operated Miles Jaye’s Manhattan Jazz Café, a 6,500 sq. ft. dining and entertainment establishment in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Artist
Jaye’s first foray into the world of visual arts is showcased in his book, “So You Think You Know Art”. While his sketches, acrylic and oils, rely on his training in perspective and fundamentals of free hand and technical drawing, this title displays his eye for architecture and natural habitats.​
​
Now, at age 65, with 35 years in the arts and entertainment, Jaye's extensive body of work along with his recent exploration into the world of visual art, social commentary essays and videos, along with short film production he's likely to seal his place in annals of Black American culture as well as American pop culture.
