Often described as "a Michigan treasure", legendary songwriter, 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, poet 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 Stielstra is a true original and his music reflects it. His sound is his own, steeped in a childhood of gospel music and a life spent near his beloved Great Lakes and northwoods, and time spent singing in Irish pubs. Jay has performed solo and with many musician friends throughout the years. In 2008, Jay formed the Jay Stielstra Trio with long-time friends, husband and wife musicians Judy Banker and John Sayler. 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.
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