Jay Thornbury

2362 Chickasaw St. Cincinnati, OH, 45219 317-999-7016 jaytbury@gmail.com

Professional Profile

Musician specializing in acoustic and electric bass playing with 8 years of performance experience. Additional instruments include guitar and piano. Ensemble membership has included jazz big band, jazz combo, concert orchestra, cover bands, jam groups, show choir bands, and groups performing original music. Manager and bass player for midwest jam band Indy Gorgeous Club and Cincinnati Rock N’ Roll group Zolmon’s Wolfgang, both professional gigging and recording groups.

Education

  • Completing Degree in Jazz Studies with an Entrepreneurship minor at The University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music

  • Attended Noblesville High School

Honors and Awards

  • Bob Bodley Award

  • CCM Honors Scholar

  • 2019–20 / 2021–22 Indiana All State Jazz Bassist

  • 2021 Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition Finalist

  • 2020 Nickel Plate Arts Emerging Artist of the Year

  • 2019 Ball State Jazz Fest Outstanding Bass Player Award

    Strengths

  • Flexible

  • Organized

  • Problem Solver

  • Easy going

  • Quick thinker

  • Experienced

    Skills

  • Graphic Design

  • Arranging

  • Management

  • Correspondence

  • Promotion

  • Planning

  • Cooking

Music Experience

Jazz

  • Studying with Aaron Jacobs 2022–present jacobsat@ucmail.uc.edu

  • Regular bassist for Matt Tolentino Trad Band -https://www.matttolentino.com/matt-tolentino-band

  • 2024–25 and 2025-26 CCM Jazz Orchestra Bassist

  • 2023–24 CCM Trad/Fusion Combo Bassist

  • 2022–23 CCM Blue Note Combo Bassist

  • 2022–23 CCM Jazz Lab Band Bassist

  • 2023 Elkhart Jazz Fest Performer

  • Studied with Nick Tucker 2019–22 nick.tucker.bass@gmail.com

  • 2022 Indy Jazz Fest Performer

  • Essentially Ellington 2021 Finalist band bassist

  • Primary bass player in the Indiana All State Jazz Band 2019–2022

  • Studied with Bethany Robinson 2018–19 bethanyrobinsonjazz.com

    Teaching

  • Private lessons instructor

  • Rhythm section staff at Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Cincinnati

  • Rhythm section staff with Westfield Middle School 2023

  • Jazz master classes and band rehearsal at Central Middle School in Kokomo, IN, 2023

  • Bass masterclass at Hamilton Heights Middle School 2022

    Original Music

  • Bassist in funky jam band Indy Gorgeous Club, 2018-present

  • Bassist/Vocalist in Cincinnati rock band Zolmon’s Wolfgang, 2024-present

  • Band Manager, booking agent, accountant, social media manager, website builder, general coordinator

  • Gigging and performing frequently in the midwest since 2018

  • Carmel Porchfest best band 2021

  • Nickel Plate Arts Emerging Artist of the Year Award 2020

    Work History

  • Louis Pettinelli Entertainment 2023-present

  • Founder/Owner/Salesmen at BearDogs Hot Dog Company 2024-present

  • Server at The Century Inn 2024–2025

  • Chef/Expo at Wolfies Waterfront Grill 2018–2023

  • Chef at Barley Island Brewery 2019–2020

  • Apprentice Luthier to Kevin Heffernan at Centerstage Vintage Guitars 2018–19