Jay Owens

Background

Isaac Jerome Owens was born in Lake City, Florida, United States. His mother was a minister in a local church, where Owens first learned to sing.

Career

He learned to appreciate blues from an uncle of his. Having obtained his first guitar, Owens was playing music professionally by the time he left high school. In such a role he supported many other musicians such as O. V. Wright, First Rate (at Lloyd's) Green, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Aaron Neville and Little Milton.

In 1995, EastWest issued Movin" On, which included contributions as before from Vernon and Wingfield, whilst Dave Bronze played bass guitar on the collection.

He was also a prolific songwriter, and his songs have been recorded by Jim Leverton ("Only Human"), James Booker ("1-2-3" and "One Hell of a Nerve"), and K. T. Oslin ("Come On-A My House"). In 1997, Owens moved to Orlando, Florida after spending twenty years in New New York

Owens died at his home in Orlando, at the age of 58, from complications of diabetes in November 2005.

Achievements

• Mike Vernon produced Owens" debut solo album, The Blues Soul of Jay Owens, which was released on Atlantic Records in 1993, and featured Pete Wingfield playing keyboards lieutenant won Living Blues magazine"s "Best Blues Album" and "Best Debut Album" awards.

Connections

Friend:

Johnny Kay