Jay Stapley came to London in 1978 after playing in local bands in the Kent/Sussex area. He became one of London’s best-known session and gigging guitarists, working with a wide range of artists and producers on projects ranging from films (“Withnail and I”, etc.) to international tours (Roger Waters, Mike Oldfield etc.) and albums (Suede, Toyah, Scott Walker, etc.)
Jay’s live work with Julian Dawson took him to Germany in 1983, where he met producer Rene Tinner (Can) and became a regular commuter to Rene’s Cologne studio to add guitar to various recording projects. One of the artists Jay worked with was German superstar Westernhagen, with whom Jay has toured and recorded ever since, becoming the artist’s co-producer and Musical Director.
Jay recorded 4 instrumental CDs for WEA records in the 1990’s and has recently released a new CD of songs (“Edge of the World”, available on iStore, on the Music page on this site, and at www.reverbnation.com/jaystapley)
Jay’s interest in technology led him to become a demonstrator of guitar products for Roland UK and Roland International. Subsequent demonstration work for Digidesign encouraged Jay to develop his own studio, where he now produces a wide range of music including music CDs, film & TV music, and library projects.
Jay’s teaching experience includes private tuition and he was one of the first teachers at the Guitar Institute (now ICMP.)
Jay has recently started a record label, Dammit Music, specialising in acoustic, singer/songwriter and unusual music projects.
Jay’s credits include:
PERFORMING AND RECORDING EXPERIENCE
Guitarist/Musical Director/Backing Vocals 1979-Present date
Recording sessions and international tours with artists including Roger Waters, Mike Oldfield, Suede, Scott Walker, Slim Whitman, David Allen Coe, Kirsty McColl, David Dundas, Westernhagen, David Mead, Henning Staerk, Toyah Wilcox, Shakin’ Stevens, Bucks Fizz, Peter Jay, Michael Kamen, Oh Laura, Athena Andreadis, etc. Film + TV soundtracks including “Withnail and I”, “How to get Ahead in Advertising”, “Hale and Pace”, “The Duty Men”, etc.
Producer/engineer 1991-Present Date
Westernhagen (Million-selling CDs), Ian Hunt, Wives and Servants, Lou Cowell, Pat Orchard, Bill Conlon, Bacardi Europe Cinema Ad, etc.
