Album Notes

Jay Mankita is a songwriter, guitarist, storyteller, and troublemaker from upstate New York. He presents concerts for children and adults in schools, libraries, festivals, coffeehouses, house concerts, theaters, and parks throughout the region.

He has recorded several albums, and his works are also performed and recorded by many other artists. Jay's participatory concerts are about creating community, and they offer hope and encouragement to folks of all ages who are helping to bring about a better world.

Jay's musical styles range from blues, ballads, bluegrass, and bossa nova, through ragtime, swing, and samba, and to old folk standards and quirky originals, drawing from a large repertoire of original and collected material, tailoring each show specifically to it's audience.

He is a masterful guitar player, yet considers himself first and foremost, a lyricist. He has composed an impressive body of songs, and brings the same level of craftsmanship to the songs he collects, making each one undoubtedly his own.

In years past, Jay has been a photographer, fencing team captain, environmental fundraiser, and actor/musician for several theater companies.

These days, he is an avid swing and contra dancer, dabbles in contact improvisation and mandolin, and studies the language, music, and culture of Brazil.