The guitar has been a passion for Jay Calder for most of his life. He has always held a deep appreciation for artists such as Phil Keaggy and Bruce Cockburn.

After receiving his Bachelor of Theology Degree from Emmanuel Bible College, Jay led various worship bands while pastoring in Kitchener and Lindsay, Ontario. He currently resides in Plattsville (near Kitchener), Ontario; with his wife, Sandy and his children, Stephanie, Jennifer, Melissa & Jesse.

A few years ago, Jay started listening to musicians such as Don Ross, the late Michael Hedges, and other finger-style guitar players. Alternate tunings provided Jay with a new creative pallet for his own compositions and he began performing solo guitar in a variety of venues. A few months after Jay's first solo guitar CD, "Breakfast With Barnabas" was released, it was nominated at the Canadian Vibe Awards as "Instrumental Album of the Year".

Steve Bell, two-time Juno award recipient says, "Within a few short bars of Jay Calder's "Breakfast With Barnabas" one knows one is listening to a master of his craft. But Jay is more than a master of the acoustic guitar. By the nuanced melodies of his original compositions, his respectful yet unique arrangements of familiar songs, and his energetic and percussive style, it is obvious that Jay is a musician first and a technician second. I'm a fan!"