"Always great to have Jay with the orchestra.... Wonderful playing on the Oregon Symphony's recent 'American Contrasts' CD. I hope that we will be able to work together again soon"
-  JAMES DePREIST Music Director Oregon Symphony

"Awesome! Plays a whole lot of guitar" 

- ALBERT COLLINS

"It's great to hear a musician who's put so much into developing real tone from the instrument itself. If you get to L.A. and need my recommendation, you've got it."

- CHICK COREA

"Jay, you play the guitar with truth and warmth. I love your melody and your rapid bursts of speed. I have enjoyed listening to an performing with you, and I have great respect for your work. Keep it up!"

- STEVE MILLER

"I have had the pleasure of playing & recording with Jay "Bird" Koder
and found him to be an excellent, innovative, and exciting guitar player. Jay is one of the best rhythm players out there, he is also a great listener. It is always a joy and privilege to play with him. Furthermore, he is also a gentleman."
- BERNARD "PRETTY" PURDIE.  Arguably the most recorded drummer in history, Purdie has played on literally thousands of hit records from James Brown and Aretha Franklin to Steely Dan and Miles Davis.

"A great player. I really like his jazz phrasings. Jay is a very good person and an excellent

musician."

- ROBERT CRAY

"Who is that ? !? !"

- ERIC CLAPTON -  ( upon hearing a tape of Jay "Bird" played for him by mutual friend ROBERT CRAY )

"I dare anyone to listen to Jay Bird's guitar without falling in love!" -"SWEET BABY JAMES"

 BENTON - Soul Sensation

"Jay "Bird" Koder is a Bad  #@$%&*#$@&*!!!!!”

- RICKY PETERSON - Producer/ Musical Director/Keyboardist  for David Sanborn, George Benson, Prince etc...

"Jay Koder is experienced, versatile, ande a true professional.
His talent and practical know how are exactly what music,
and music education needs."
Norman Leyden
Associate Conductor Oregon Symphony

"That boy can play!"

- B.B. KING

"The best overall guitarist I've worked with."

- NATHANIEL PHILLIPS - Bassist - Crusaders

"Jay 'Bird' is so cute!!"

- LINDA RONSTADT

"Jay 'Bird' is Bad!!  He has become a complete Blues player"

- RICHARD COUSINS - Bassist - Robert Cray, Etta James, Eric Clapton Etc....

"Very funky!! Exactly what my (CD) project needed!"

- TOM GRANT

"A real power player! The best I've seen on tour."

- NEAL SCHON, JOURNEY

"I've played with Jay in a variety of settings, and he handles them all
with sensitivity and finesse.  He listens so well!"
- MEL BROWN -  Drummer:  Motown, Jazz,  Diana Ross, The Temptations, etc.

"I believe Jay to be among the very top young players in the country. I am pleased to give him my highest recommendation."
- HOWARD ROBERTS - The most recorded guitarist in history, a leading Jazz player for three decades, Howard Roberts co-founded the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles.

"The Northwest is lucky to have a player of Jay's caliber. He could be the next up-and-coming guy."

·          CHARLIE BATY—Little Charlie & the Nightcats

Compiled by Don Miller