Painting soundscapes from the depth of a varied and colorful musical consciousness, Jay creates a higher level of energy and communication with all who listen. A consummate performer, composer, arranger and producer he also bears the heart of an educator. Whether wielding the pen or the guitar, his music strives to enlighten the mind, inspire the soul, touch the heart and elevate the spirit.
As a recording and performing artist, Jay “Bird” Koder has crossed boundaries and barriers with equal ease and has been greeted warmly by every genre. From his early days playing with Mel Brown and Thara Memory, to his crafty work with the Jeff Lorber Fusion through the bone-crushing funk of Cool’r to his own band SoulMates, Jay continues to reinvent himself in seemingly infinite artistry. Whether he is playing blues with Robert Cray or jazz with Chick Corea, inventive pop with Gino Vannelli or world Music with Obo Addy, rock with the Steve Miller Band or fusion with Herbie Hancock, Latin with Arturo Sandoval or classical with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, this “Bird” has flown high and with some of the greatest.
No matter who he plays with, he tries always to remain true to the music, giving freely and bringing a soulfulness to all he touches. As one quote goes: “I dare anyone to listen to Jay Bird’s guitar without falling in love!”