Jay Calder
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada | INDIE
Music
Press
"Jay Calder performed as the featured artist at the 2004 Waterloo Oxford
Music Awards. During the show he kept the audience of staff, students and parents
absolutely riveted with a perfect combination of acoustic guitar
virtuosity, engaging wit, and outstanding musicianship. A master of his
craft, Jay carefully laid out a concert program that fully showcased the
musical range of the guitar while providing a range of styles that
appealed to every listener in the audience. His ease and manner on stage
make him an obvious choice for every age group. I would wholeheartedly
recommend Jay Calder as an acoustic guitar master, a superb musician and a dazzling performer."
- Mark Domm, Music Teacher, Waterloo Oxford District Secondary School
In over 20 years of pastoral ministry, I have rarely heard the guitar brought to life the way that Jay does. It becomes immediately obvious that Jay is a person who has been blessed with a gift from God as he plays his guitar to the glory of God. The notes, tones and melodies that come from the strings of Jay's guitar definitely have a special touch of the Holy Spirit upon them.
When Jay played at our Christmas Eve and our Easter Sunday services, there was an immediate hush over the congregation as they sensed the presence of God.
I want to highly recommend Jay and his ministry to you, knowing that he will be a blessing to you and your church.
I would encourage you to visit Jay's website at www.jaycalder.ca to learn more about his remarkable music.
In His Wonderful Name
Rev. Donald G. Mills
Senior Pastor
Wilmot Centre Missionary Church - Rev. Donald G. Mills
In over 20 years of pastoral ministry, I have rarely heard the guitar brought to life the way that Jay does. It becomes immediately obvious that Jay is a person who has been blessed with a gift from God as he plays his guitar to the glory of God. The notes, tones and melodies that come from the strings of Jay's guitar definitely have a special touch of the Holy Spirit upon them.
When Jay played at our Christmas Eve and our Easter Sunday services, there was an immediate hush over the congregation as they sensed the presence of God.
I want to highly recommend Jay and his ministry to you, knowing that he will be a blessing to you and your church.
I would encourage you to visit Jay's website at www.jaycalder.ca to learn more about his remarkable music.
In His Wonderful Name
Rev. Donald G. Mills
Senior Pastor
Wilmot Centre Missionary Church - Rev. Donald G. Mills
"Jay, my family and I had the pleasure of hearing you for the first time today during the service @ Wilmot. When you finished playing, the worship leader told everyone to breathe - you took our breath away with the incredible gift God has given you. You are an inspiration to everyone who hears you." - Trevor Cave
"Thank you so much for blessing our church Saturday evening. It was inspiring to watch you perform and share with our congregation. I was not entirely kidding when I said I didn't know if we should have an altar call at the end or finish our evening. It was wonderful to witness someone use their art in the church, something that we have lost as a whole. May you continue to use the "present" that God has given you, and allowed you to develop to bring Him glory in any and every venue and opportunity. Let no one question whether or not an evening with you will be worthwhile. You had us awestricken, both teens and seniors alike. What a great multi-generational evening." - Philip Niemi, Youth Pastor, Vineland Missionary Church
"Jay, my family and I had the pleasure of hearing you for the first time today during the service @ Wilmot. When you finished playing, the worship leader told everyone to breathe - you took our breath away with the incredible gift God has given you. You are an inspiration to everyone who hears you." - Trevor Cave
We were absolutely blessed and amazed by the music ministry of Jay Calder during our Sunday morning worship service. His heart and his gifts overflowed as he demonstrated his unique acoustic abilities...He is truly a gifted individual! We are thankful he was willing to come and share his gifts with us! - Heise Hill Brethren in Christ Congregation
"A genuine heart for God and a musical gift that flows", would be the best way to describe a service with musician and friend, Jay Calder.
Musician for sure, as he skillfully and wonderfully plays his guitar as unto the Lord, with an anointing that is real and powerful.
One can also quickly call Jay a friend, as his personality, witt and caring flow from his heart to those he is ministering to. This was our experience at Listowel Evangelical Missionary Church where we hosted Jay for a morning service, and a full concert in the evening. All the comments from our church family (young and old alike) were positive, for Jay has a way of crossing age boundaries, ministering to the entire fellowship.
We look forward to having Jay back again in the future! - Robert Gulliver, Senior Pastor, Listowel Evangelical Missionary Church
We were absolutely blessed and amazed by the music ministry of Jay Calder during our Sunday morning worship service. His heart and his gifts overflowed as he demonstrated his unique acoustic abilities...He is truly a gifted individual! We are thankful he was willing to come and share his gifts with us! - Heise Hill Brethren in Christ Congregation
"There are many wonderful things you can find in Canada like trees and… hmmm, OK, mostly trees. There are many wonderful musicians you can find in Canada. Folks who know what to do with those trees once they are made into guitars. The list includes fingerstyle masters Don Ross, Bruce Cockburn and Bob Evans (the Winfield fingerstyle winner, not the restaurant). Add one more name: Jay Calder. His CD “Breakfast with Barnabas,” is an inspired collection of fingerstyle and melodic prowess. The challenge of instrumental music is to capture something of the world we live in, distill it and present it in a way that others can understand. Jay answers the challenge by expressing truth, beauty, creativity and encouragement – all without saying a word. The listener with an open heart will hear and understand – this is the good stuff."
- John Morgan, FreeSoloGuitar.com
Jay's artistry is equalled only by his sense of the holy Presence of God in worship. Jay's whole presentation is marked by humility and awe before God's majesty and grace. We were blessed! - Rev. Colin Paterson, Senior Pastor, Dresden Community Church
Jay's artistry is equalled only by his sense of the holy Presence of God in worship. Jay's whole presentation is marked by humility and awe before God's majesty and grace. We were blessed! - Rev. Colin Paterson, Senior Pastor, Dresden Community Church
“We had an awesome worshipful experience with the ministry of Jay Calder. Through the interweaving of acoustic guitar playing, songs, testimony, prayers and exhortation, we were lead to love and adore our Saviour Jesus Christ. As I watched our people listen to Jay's ministry, I distinctly noticed a sense of expectancy and a renewed joy in the Lord pouring over us as a church gathered to worship the King of Kings!” - Rev. Julius A. Tiangson, Senior Pastor, Gateway Christian Life Centre
“We had an awesome worshipful experience with the ministry of Jay Calder. Through the interweaving of acoustic guitar playing, songs, testimony, prayers and exhortation, we were lead to love and adore our Saviour Jesus Christ. As I watched our people listen to Jay's ministry, I distinctly noticed a sense of expectancy and a renewed joy in the Lord pouring over us as a church gathered to worship the King of Kings!” - Rev. Julius A. Tiangson, Senior Pastor, Gateway Christian Life Centre
"I recently had the overwhelming experience of hearing Jay Calder minister at our church.
I say 'minister' because the words 'perform', 'play' or 'entertain' do not adequately reflect the unique combination of captivating guitar skills and prophetically-edged speaking.
Jay's unassuming charm, humour, vulnerability, and authenticity bring the listener into a God-moment. May this anointed gift to the Body of Christ and beyond be continually empowered by the Holy Spirit and his love for Jesus." - Mary Gascho
"I recently had the overwhelming experience of hearing Jay Calder minister at our church.
I say 'minister' because the words 'perform', 'play' or 'entertain' do not adequately reflect the unique combination of captivating guitar skills and prophetically-edged speaking.
Jay's unassuming charm, humour, vulnerability, and authenticity bring the listener into a God-moment. May this anointed gift to the Body of Christ and beyond be continually empowered by the Holy Spirit and his love for Jesus." - Mary Gascho
Discography
Breakfast With Barnabas (Nominated "Instrumental Album of the Year", Canadian Vibe Awards)
Played on:
CBC Radio (Disc Drive, Studio Sparks, Ontario Morning, Fresh Air, North by Northwest programs), Faith FM, Kitchener and Faith FM Woodstock, Acoustic Routes CKLN 88.1 FM, WYRS New Jersey
Photos
Bio
"Best Acoustic Artist -male", Toronto Independent Music Awards
The guitar has been a passion for Jay Calder for most of his life. He has always held a deep appreciation for artists such as Phil Keaggy and Bruce Cockburn.
After receiving his Bachelor of Theology Degree from Emmanuel Bible College, Jay led various worship bands while pastoring in Kitchener and Lindsay, Ontario. He currently resides in Plattsville (near Kitchener), Ontario; with his wife, Sandy and his children, Stephanie, Jennifer, Melissa & Jesse.
A few years ago, Jay started listening to musicians such as Don Ross, the late Michael Hedges, and other finger-style guitar players. Alternate tunings provided Jay with a new creative pallet for his own compositions and he began performing solo guitar in a variety of venues. He's shared the stage with Casting Crowns, Newsboys, TFK, Steve Bell, Dan Hill, Lincoln Brewster, Brooks Williams, Avalon, Bob Bennett, The Lost Dogs, Mike Roe ("The 77's) and Michael Pritzel ("The Violet Burning"). A few months after Jay's first solo guitar CD, "Breakfast With Barnabas" was released, it was nominated for the Canadian Vibe Awards as "Instrumental Album of the Year".
Jay has performed at the NIDUS Festival (Kitchener) ; Festival of Friends (Hamilton) and the "Orphans of God" songwriters circle at Palais Royale (Toronto). He's also been a repeat guest on the "100 Huntley Street" and "Ufonic" tv programs, and was invited to perform at the Canadian Guitar Festival.
STEVE BELL, two-time Juno award recipient says, Within a few short bars of Jay Calders Breakfast With Barnabas one knows one is listening to a master of his craft. But Jay is more than a master of the acoustic guitar. By the nuanced melodies of his original compositions, his respectful yet unique arrangements of familiar songs, and his energetic and percussive style, it is obvious that Jay is a musician first and a technician second. Im a fan!
Jay is an Artist Associate with World Vision, and he endorses Taylor Guitars, Stonebridge Guitars, Karol Guitars and Elixir Strings. His cd, "Breakfast with Barnabas" is distributed by Signpost Music http://www.signpostmusic.com/
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