Jay Stielstra

Genre: Folk
Secondary Genre: Acoustic Ann Arbor, Michigan USA Contact

Known as Michigan's " treasure" Jay Stielstra has been performing and writing his timeless, songs for over 3 decades--pure folk with a touch of country, close harmonies and unforgettable lyrics.Playwright, poet, author, actor and self-proclaimed "old jock", Jay and his music are one of a kind.

Print Version

Artist Information

Biography

Genre: Acoustic folk-country originals
Origin: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Official Band Website: www.myspace.com/jaystielstratrio
2010 Folk Alliance Region Midwest Showcase Performer

Band Members:
Jay Stielstra: songwriter, vocals, guitar
Judy Banker: vocals, mandolin, guitar

Often described as "a Michigan treasure", Jay Stielstra has been writing and performing his original songs throughout the midwest for several decades. The author of a number of musical plays -- North Country Opera, Tittabawassee Jane, America America and The Prodigals -- Jay is an award-winning actor and gifted playwright.
Jay's songs have that indefinable quality that instantly makes a song an old friend. Jay Stielstra "classics" tell stories that cut to the heart of the human experience. With clarity, wry observation, humor and honesty Jay captures the universal elements of friendship, love, loss, war and the wonder of fly fishing in the still of the north woods.

Jay has performed solo and with many musician friends over his career. In 2008, Jay formed the Jay Stielstra Trio with long-time friends, husband and wife musicians Judy Banker and John Sayler and has toured with them since that time. Judy's pure vocals and John's versatile dobro playing are the perfect complement to Jay's weathered voice and solid guitar licks. Part folk, part country, part Irish pub song and part polka---Jay's music enriches the spirit and captures the essence of our lives.

We deeply mourn the loss of John Sayler.
4/20/37 - 4/20/12

Instrumentation

Judy Banker - Guitar, mandolin and pennywhistle

Discography

Recent CD released:
Don't Let Me Down Easy

Times That We Had
Songs of the North Country Opera

Cuts available on our Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/jaystielstratrio
Videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/JayStielstraTrio

Official Website

http://www.myspace.com/jaystielstratrio

Links

Audio

Lyrics

Video

Photo Gallery

  • Jay Stielstra Trio 2008

  • Jay Stielstra (R) with Judy Banker (L), John Sayler (top) and Maggie

  • JST at the White Crow, Saginaw, Michigan 2010

  • Jay Stielstra Trio at The Ark, Ann Arbor, 2009

  • The Trio at Johnny's Speakeasy, Ann Arbor, 2010

  • Jay Stielstra

Press

  • Michigan Treasure

    Jay Stielstra is "a Michigan treasure".

  • Poet Laureate [+ Show ]

    "I've often said that jay Stielstra should be the poet laureate of the state of Michigan. His songs ...

  • Musical Treasure [+ Show ]

    "Ann Arbor musical treasure...Stielstra has penned some of the most heartfelt songs about Michigan e...

  • Pure Direct Folk Music [+ Show ]

    "The Jay Stielstra Trio's new CD, Don't Let Me Down Easy is pure...direct folk music...with no apolo...

  • Song Laureate

    "Jay Stielstra is our song laureate."

Setlist

We typically play 20-22 songs over two hours. Our material is almost entirely original music penned by Jay Stielstra.
Sample set list:
Don't Let Me Down Easy
Old Fool
November Love
Tittabawassee Jane
Manistee River
It's a Wonder
Judo for Jesus
The Same Folks We Hated
Leave the Bottle
Since You've Been Gone
Last Night You Came Alive
Liam O'Rielly
Pitcher and a Glass
Cross Over the Line
I'm Singin'
The Lake
The Road Less Travelled
Suino's Song
Never Been to Dixie
I Want A Million Dollars

Basic Requirements


Calendar

There are no upcoming dates at this time.