International Archives For The Jazz Organ (IAJO) - The Jazz Organ Scene USA

Jay Spell

Jay (* 1945 in Spivey Corner, NC) was a blind pianist/keyboardist. He attended a school for the blind from the time he was 6 years old and had to remain in the dorm as he was too far away from home to commute. At the time one of his fellow students was his friend Ronnie Milsap and together they formed a band. He studied violin and piano there and later went on to attend the Oberlin Conservatory to concentrate on the piano. He didn’t stay there too long as he decided that he wanted to veer towards rock and roll and so returned home to North Carolina.

Becoming known, he soon was making it out in the world of music and has toured and recorded with many artists that include Judy Collins, Steve Cropper, José Feliciano, Eddie Floyd, Vern Gosdin, Tim Krekel, John Mayall, Poco, Jeannie C, Riley, Dan Seals, The Tams, Greg "Fingers" Taylor, Randy Travis, Conway Twitty and Tammy Wynette to name a few, as well as being a member of the group Tower of Power.

The countless albums he appeared on include Son of a Son of a Sailor by Jimmy Buffett, Christmas Album by Canned Heat, Cowgirl’s Prayer by Emmylou Harris. His time with Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band saw him touring with him during 1977 and 1978 and also making an appearance in the 1978 movie FM.

Jay passed away from cancer in December 2010.

from Jimmy Buffett recordings

California Girl Stax STS-2029 released 1970 recorded 1969/1970	Eddie Floyd, vocals Paul Cannon, guitar Jesse Willard Carr, guitar Steve Cropper, guitar Bobby Manuel, guitar Booker T. Jones, organ, keyboards Jay Spell, organ, piano, fiddle Marvell Thomas, organ, piano Jim Johnson, bass Alan Jones, bass Jerry Norris, bass Robert "Pops" Popwell, bass Paul Hornsby, drums Al Jackson jr., drums Cornell McFadden, drums
Down To Earth Stax STS-2041 released 1971	Eddie Floyd, vocals The Memphis Horns Paul Cannon, guitar Steve Cropper, guitar Jay Spell, organ, piano, fiddle Jim Johnson, bass Richie Simpson, drums
Bump City Warner Bros. Records K 46167 released 1972 recorded in Memphis, TN/USA	Greg Adams, conductor, trumpet, flugelhorn, French horn, piano, vocals Emilio Castillo, tenor sax, vocals Skip Mesquite, tenor sax, flute, vocals Stephen "Doc" Kupka, baritone sax, vocals Lenny Pickett, sax Mic Gillette, trombone, trumpet, French horn, vocals Willie Fulton, guitar, vocals Jay Spell, organ, piano The Memphis Strings Francis "Rocco" Prestia, bass David Garibaldi, drums Brent Byars, congas, vocals Rick Stevens, vocals
Stax Profiles Stax STXCD-8616-2 compilation	Eddie Floyd, vocals Con Funk Shun Rhythm Andrew Love, sax Joe Arnold, horn Ben Cauley, horn Ed Logan, horn The Memphis Horns Wayne Jackson, trumpet Paul Cannon, guitar Steve Cropper, guitar Isaac Hayes, piano Booker T. Jones, organ, keyboards Joe Shamwell, melodica Jay Spell, organ, piano, fiddle Marvell Thomas, organ Al Jackson jr., drums Cornell McFadden, drums Richie Simpson, drums

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