Jay Rice

Jay Rice – Professional Bassist & Touring Musician

Jay Rice is a versatile bassist, improviser, and recording artist whose career spans jazz, rock, indie, and nationally touring ensembles. Known for technical skill, stylistic versatility, and professional stage presence, Rice has contributed to recordings, live performances, and tours with nationally recognized and internationally connected artists.

Endorsements & Professional Recognition

Jay Rice has been a Glockenklang endorsed artist since 2007, joining a roster of elite bassists including Christian McBride. His upright bass was used by McBride in Boston-area performances, reflecting both professional recognition and the quality of Rice’s instruments.

Early Boston Career (c. 2005–2008)

The Glass Fracture (Boston, MA, c. 2005)
Jay Rice performed as the live bassist for The Glass Fracture, sharing the stage with:
• Nick Magow – Vocals/Songwriter
• Leigh McQuarrie – Guitar
• Fred Farney – Drums
• Jay Rice – Bass

The band performed at key Boston venues such as TT the Bear’s Place, Harper’s Ferry, and Johnny D’s, providing Rice with foundational live performance experience and exposure to Boston’s regional music scene. His work was exclusively live, supporting the band’s dynamic onstage presence.

Derek Schanche / Señor Happy – Major-Label Exposure (2006–2008)

Between 2006 and 2008, Rice performed as the live bassist for Derek Schanche, a CBS-recorded artist and ASCAP award winner for the Rules of Engagement theme song. He also appeared on guitar in the CBS-produced video for the theme song (unreleased).

Performances included:
• Paradise Lounge, Boston, MA
• Middle East, Cambridge, MA
• TT the Bear’s, Cambridge, MA

Rice’s work supported multi-year regional shows and national-level projects, contributing professional musicianship alongside a major-label artist. This collaboration marked his early exposure to the professional recording and touring environment.

VINX – International & Major-Label Experience (2007–2008)

Jay Rice recorded and performed live with internationally acclaimed musician VINX (Vincent De’Jon Parrette) on Hip Ole: Memoirs of a Black Man Volumes 1 & 2.
• VINX is an internationally recognized percussionist and vocalist with major-label distribution (Pangaea/I.R.S. Records, later Dreamsicle Recordings).
• The work provided exposure to top-tier musicianship, major-label recording standards, and international touring environments.
• VINX’s professional collaborators include Sting, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Sheryl Crow, and Branford Marsalis, situating Rice within a world-class musical context.
• This collaboration represented a key step in bridging Rice’s regional Boston experience with global, major-label professional networks.

Modus – Cambridge Jazz & Philanthropic Circuit (2009)

Rice performed as bassist for Modus, a chamber-jazz ensemble active in Cambridge’s jazz and philanthropic circuits.
• Members: Jay Rice – Bass, Jonathan Altman – Piano/Keys, Fabio Pirozzolo – Drums, Adam Douglass – Guitar
• Notable performances: Ryles Jazz Club, Boston, MA, GreenLight Fund Galas at MIT Media Lab and Museum of Science, Regattabar in Harvard Square
• Modus primarily performed at curated events, private innovation gatherings, and high-profile charity functions, showcasing chamber jazz in professional, intimate settings.

Leo Blais – National Touring (2009–2010)

Jay Rice was bassist for singer-songwriter Leo Blais, contributing to live performances and video recordings.
• Band Members: Jay Rice – Bass, Dave Brophy – Drums, Sean Mannion - Vibes, Greg Burgess - Guitar
• Venues & festivals: SXSW, Austin, TX; CMJ Music Marathon / Awards, NYC, NY; World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA; Great Scott, Boston, MA; NACAC Weekend, Hartford, CT; Wilbert’s, Cleveland, OH; Grammers, Cincinnati, OH; Off Broadway Music Venue, St. Louis, MO
• Recordings: Everyone’s Feelin Alone (2009), The Free EP (2009), Sincerity Maxi-Single (2010, Wheelkick Records, #16 CMJ Most Added)
• Commercial exposure: Dunkin’ Donuts TV commercial for Show Me Love
• Rice’s bass work supported Blais’s nationally touring shows, demonstrating versatility and professional touring experience.

Skyfoot – The Eternal Bend Tour (2012)

For Boston-based indie/jam rock band Skyfoot, Rice performed bass during the The Eternal Bend tour:
• Band Members: Eric McEwen – Piano/Organ/Rhodes/Lead Vocals, Matt Drummey – Guitar/Backing Vocals, Aaron Morey – Drums/Cymbals, Jay Rice – Bass
• Venues: Port City Music Hall, Portland, ME
• Rice’s playing provided rhythmic foundation for piano-driven compositions, supporting dynamic live arrangements that expanded beyond studio versions.

Spencer Day – Major-Label Touring & National Recognition (2012)

Jay Rice performed as a touring bassist with Billboard-charting artist Spencer Day, a nationally recognized singer, songwriter, and pianist.
• Labels: Concord Records / Concord Jazz, Club 44 Records (distributed via Sony channels)
• Role: Touring bassist for national and international performances
• This collaboration placed Rice in a polished, high-profile professional environment, reinforcing his credibility in major-label and touring contexts.

Nick Lancaster Trio – NYC Jazz Scene (2014-2016)

• Members: Nick Lancaster – Guitar, Drums – Various, Jay Rice – Upright Bass
• Venues: The Bar Next Door, La Lanterna di Vittorio, NYC
• Rice contributed to NYC’s small-ensemble jazz scene in Greenwich Village emphasizing improvisation and interactive trio dynamics.

The Highway – NYC Rock Ensemble (2014–2016)

• Members: Daniel “Dan” Tortoledo – Vocals/Bass, Adam Douglass – Guitar/Backing Vocals, Ted MacInnes – Drums/Backing Vocals, Griffin McMahon – Keys/Backing Vocals, Jay Rice – Bass (live performances)
• Venues: Brooklyn and Manhattan clubs
• Rice’s live performances supported a five-piece ensemble blending classic rock, psychedelic, and experimental elements.

Professional Profile & Significance

Jay Rice demonstrates exceptional versatility and professional credibility across:
• Live Performance: Jazz, rock, indie, singer-songwriter, and chamber-jazz ensembles
• Studio Recording: Major-label and internationally distributed projects with VINX, Derek Schanche, and others
• Touring: Regional, national, and international performances
• Endorsements & Recognition: Glockenklang, upright bass used by Christian McBride
• Commercial Work: National TV commercial exposure
• High-Profile Professional Context: Exposure to top-tier international musicians and major-label recording and touring environments

Rice’s career, marked by collaborations with Derek Schanche, VINX, and Spencer Day, along with his Glockenklang endorsement, establishes him as a highly respected professional bassist capable of performing at the highest levels of live, recorded, and touring music.

“I got lucky and played with great musician’s that dragged me along…”

Joe McMahon
Christian McBride
Derek Schanche
VINX
Spencer Day
Mark Carlson
and many more…

Jay Rice – Live Bassist with The Highway (NYC, mid‑2010s)

Band / Artist: The Highway
Location: New York City, NY
Years of Collaboration: Mid‑2010s (c. 2014–2016)
Jay Rice’s Role: Live bassist

Band Members:
• Daniel “Dan” Tortoledo – Vocals and bass (leader)
• Adam Douglass – Guitar and backing vocals
• Ted MacInnes – Drums and backing vocals
• Griffin McMahon – Keys and backing vocals
• Jay Rice – Bass (performing live, supporting the ensemble)

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Overview

Jay Rice performed as the live bassist for The Highway, a Brooklyn-based rock ensemble led by Daniel Tortoledo, during the mid‑2010s. The band combined classic rock influences with psychedelic and experimental elements, producing original compositions and dynamic live performances.

Jay Rice’s role focused on live shows, providing a professional bass foundation and stage presence for the band, supporting their sound in intimate club settings and mid-sized venues across New York City.

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Performance Context
• Venues: The Highway performed in NYC’s vibrant indie and rock circuit, including Brooklyn clubs and other stages known for showcasing emerging and professional original acts.
• Trio/Ensemble Format: The ensemble, led by Tortoledo, typically performed as a five-piece, with Jay Rice stepping in on bass to enhance live performances and complement the group’s energy.
• Live Jazz & Rock Environment: NYC’s live music scene offered an active and competitive environment, with weekly shows fostering improvisation, interaction, and professional development for all musicians involved.

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Professional Significance
• Performing with The Highway placed Jay Rice at the center of NYC’s original rock and indie music scene, demonstrating his versatility across genres beyond jazz and pop.
• This collaboration reflects Jay Rice’s range as a professional musician, capable of adapting to multiple musical styles and live environments.
• Working alongside Daniel Tortoledo and the band’s ensemble highlights Jay Rice’s ability to integrate into established acts, reinforcing his professional credibility and stage experience.

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Supporting Evidence
• Interviews / Press: The Highway and Daniel Tortoledo were profiled in outlets such as https://elmoremagazine.com/2015/03/music-news/watch-the-highways-mind-bending-new-video-lose-control which describe the band’s sound, lineup, and creative approach. (voicemagazine.org)
• Personal / Archival Materials: Photos, flyers, and recordings from live shows confirm Jay Rice’s participation.
• Venue Context: Brooklyn and NYC clubs are historically documented as hubs for original rock bands and ensembles during the 2010s.

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Summary

Jay Rice’s work with The Highway represents a key chapter in his live performance career, showcasing his professional bass skills within the NYC indie and rock scene. It adds to his portfolio alongside collaborations with major-label artists, jazz ensembles, and regional rock bands, emphasizing his adaptability, range, and long-standing contributions as a professional musician.

https://on.soundcloud.com/ygh43ftaGcvovAQHy4

https://on.soundcloud.com/7NGFVnrfRxLyShpPUO

https://on.soundcloud.com/H3DZv7qFiCQuYT7AJK

Modus Live at Ryles Jazz Club Boston MA March 16, 2009 Jay Rice, Jon Altman, Adam Douglass, Chris Komecki https://on.soundcloud.com/vCmwBzcMkTcKFFrLJP