Jay King

Jay King is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, record label executive, music manager, and radio show host. In 1986, he produced, independently released, and promoted Timex Social Club's, Rumors, which charted at #1 on Billboard's R&B chart. He later formed the music group, Club Nouveau, whose remake of, Lean on Me, was nominated for a Grammy Award, charted at #1 on Billboard's R&B chart, and certified Platinum.

In 1986, King started, King Jay Records, partnering with major labels such as RCA Records and Warner Bros. Records, releasing albums for Club Nouveau, Michael Cooper, New Choice, Theresa, and Mikki Bleu. He has released three solo albums, Open Book, and Soulful Bossa Nova, all of which received favorable reviews. Good Kind of Lovin, from Helen's Son, charted in the top-10 on UK's Soul chart in 2018.

In 2019, he was elected President of the California Black Chamber of Commerce and is the Chairman of the African American DBE Participation Committee for the California Department of Transportation.

Early life Jay King was born on January 27, 1962 in Oroville, California to parents Helen and Jay King Jr. After his parents separated his mother moved to San Francisco and later to Sacramento, California, where Jay was raised and began playing the trumpet. Jay's father lived in Vallejo so he attended Jr. High School and High School in both Sacramento and Vallejo. He left home when he was 14 years old and was a dancer and entertainer. "I left home when I was 14, I had to be on my own, I didn't want to wait. I wanted to something great. I had to be prepared. Being on the streets prepared me for what I'm doing now", King shared in an interview with the LA Times in 1987. He formed the break dance group, Jay King & the Unknowns, who performed at high schools, parties, and on the streets, garnering a large local following in Vallejo and the San Francisco Bay Area. "I was famous before I ever had a nickel", King shared in an interview with Half Time Chat regarding his success as a teen dancer.

King joined the Air Force and was honorably discharged. After leaving the military he decided to remain in Alaska, where he had been stationed. He formed the dance group, Close Encounters of the Funkiest Kind, which quickly became successful and they opened shows for The Pointer Sisters, Atlanta Rhythm Section, and INXS, among other acts. Their album, Life, Love & Pain, was certified Platinum.

In 2022, Club Nouveau's new group formation featured King, Tirzah Hubbard, and J Ali. In 2024, they performed a multi-city tour which included venues such as the SAP Center, Desert Diamond Arena, and Selland Arena. Also in 2024, they released the single, "It's Alright," which received favorable reviews.

Record labels Jay Records King launched independent label Jay Records in 1986 after not being able to get secure a record deal for Timex Social Club's, single "Rumors". He independently produced, pressed, and marketed the 12-inch single to radio stations, dance clubs, and soon the song gained traction on Billboard charts, becoming one the best selling independent releases of 1986.

King Jay Records King partnered with Warner Bros. CEO Benny Medina in 1986 forming, King Jay Records, and composed and produced Theresa's album, Broken Puzzle.

Other ventures Radio King is a radio show host on Traffic Jams with Jay King on KDEE 97.5 FM as well as hosting his own podcast, Kings in the Morning, on The Jay King Network.

On his online series, Jay King Live, Straight No Chaser, several of the episodes were focused on reparations, with King calling it the debt owed to Black America. He created and presented his own detailed account of a debt owed plan to repay the debt owed to American Descendants of Enslaved Africans. The success of the tournaments led to a deal with ESPN to televise domino tournaments.

Music Conferences King launched The Creative Exchange Music Summit to educate creatives in the business of technology, film, television, music, and art.

California Black Chamber of Commerce King was elected President of the, California Black Chamber of Commerce, in June 2019, and serves on the Caltrans Small Business Council and is the Chairman of the African American DBE Participation Committee for the California Department of Transportation, as well as the Small Business Council for the California Department of General Services (DGS), and the California High-Speed Rail. Club Nouveau Artist, composer, producer, record label

Broken Puzzle Jay King Artist, composer, producer, record label

Consciousness Jay King Artist, composer, producer, record label

Soulful Bossa Nova Jay King Artist, composer, producer, record label

Singles Year Song Artist Credit

Rumors Timex Social Club producer, record label Jealousy Club Nouveau Vocals, producer, writer, record label Situation #9 Club Nouveau Artist, producer, record label

Lean on Me Club Nouveau Artist, producer, record label Why You Treat Me So Bad Club Nouveau Vocals, producer, writer, record label Heavy on My Mind Club Nouveau Vocals, producer, writer, record label Last Time Theresa Writer

No Friend of Mine Club Nouveau Artist, producer, record label

Oh Happy Day Club Nouveau Artist, producer, record label

Made for Love Kool & the Gang Writer

''Good Kind of Lovin'''

In 2003, King and Niki Haris had a daughter, Jordan Ann.