Photographer: Roberto Cifarelli
Daralyn Jay is vocalist that truly defies categorization—as capable of scatting her way through a swing chorus as tossing a soulful riff. Not one for mere pyrotechnics, her deeply felt connection to the lyric and rhythmic approach have earned her respect on the New York music scene. She interprets standards as well as Latin, R&B and pop tunes, incorporating rarely performed verses and using French, Portuguese and Spanish lyrics to tell the story.
Daralyn has appeared on the stages of top New York venues, including Dizzy’s Coca-Cola Club, The Kitano, Minton’s, Smoke Jazz & Supper Club and Ginny’s. She has performed as a guest artist in France, Italy, Turkey, China, Cuba and Israel, and was one of the Top 15 finalists in the 2016 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. She is also a vocal arranger and guest vocalist for pop, rock and hip-hop artists and is currently guest vocalist with the Maurizio Spista Jazz Project.
Born into a household of avid music lovers, Daralyn began singing in church choirs and launched her formal music education on the flute, later adding piano. She has trained with voice teachers David Sabella-Mills and Norma Garbo as well as studied repertoire and jazz technique with noted musicians Barry Harris, Burt Eckoff and Johnny O’Neal.