Jay Ware is an award-winning artist, educator, arranger, and music advocate. He has performed and/or recorded with over 200 artists, including: NEA Jazz Master David Liebman; Grammy winner Delfeayo Marsalis, Grammy winner Dee Stewart, 2X Grammy winner Charlton Singleton, Grammy winner Sullivan Fortner; Grammy nominated artists Chris Potter, Donny McCaslin, Jack Wilkins, Jeremy Fox, and Chuck Owen; Christian artist Charles Billingsley; Dove Award winner Rex Carroll; Funk legends Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Mary Wilson and The Supremes; Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame member Bob Becker; Pulitzer-Prize winner Gunther Schuller; opera diva Marietta Simpson; Brazilian vocalist Liz Rosa, instrumentalists Wycliffe Gordon, James Carter, Jason Marsalis, Tony DeSare, Deana Martin, the Buselli/Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, Charleston Jazz Orchestra, Broyhill Chamber Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, the New York Brass Quintet, and many others.
He has performed at festivals and conventions including: Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto Music Festivals, South Carolina Jazz Festival, ColaJazz Festival, Charlotte Jazz Festival, Crested Butte Festival, Greenville Jazz Festival, University of Mary Jazz Festival, New Trier Jazz Festival, American Bandmasters Association, College Band Director National Association, Music Educators National Conference, Percussive Arts Society Days of Percussion, Appalachian Summer Music Festival, as well as special appearances on various television and radio broadcasts. In 2007, he began forming and writing for his own groups which have performed throughout the nation, including residencies at various colleges/universities. He also serves as principal percussionist with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to his performing/recording credits, Mr. Ware is equally active as an educator and advocate for music in school curricula. He is currently the Director of Percussion and Drum Set Studies in the School of Music at Liberty University in Virginia. In May, 2019 the LU Jazz Faculty produced their first album Dig This!, on which Mr. Ware recorded drum set as well as over 20 concert, auxiliary, and world percussion instruments. Mr. Ware has served on faculty at The University of South Carolina and The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University among others. In addition to his collegiate teaching experience, Mr. Ware held the position of Director of Bands at South Lenoir High School (NC) as well as Marching Percussion Arranger/Instructor for over 30 high schools.
He is in high demand as a versatile performing/recording artist, guest conductor, adjudicator, and music advocate, and has offered masterclasses at universities and schools nationwide. Mr. Ware is a five-time recipient of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, is a winner of the Appalachian State University Concerto/Aria Competition, and was nominated for the prestigious Performers Certificate at Indiana University.
Mr. Ware is an endorsing artist for Remo drumheads, Yamaha drum set and concert percussion instruments, Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets, and Zildjian cymbals.