Statuesque songbird Valerie Jay was born and raised in Hull, county of Yorkshire, England. The youngest of five children, Jay picked up the guitar at fifteen and founded her first band Skyline, performing her own material. Drawing influences from great country performers such as Patsy Cline, Emmy Lou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and k.d. Lang, Jay fronted the hottest band on the country circuit, playing festivals and country music clubs all over England. An early music review in the local press 'Hull Daily Mail' raved "Valerie Jay has a great country voice, quite haunting". Fortuitously, Jay met country guitar legend Albert Lee (www.albertlee.co.uk) who performs on her independently released debut CD 'Only When You Smile'. (Available from www.cdbaby.com and the Virgin Megastore, San Francisco).

Although Nashville beckoned, in 2001 a combination of circumstances led Jay to move her home base to eclectic San Francisco, California. Here, 'Valerie Jay & The Americanos' was born: a country based, roots-rock band that plays Jay's original songs next to classic Americana favorites. Bay Area rock and pop audiences are being converted right and left by the beauty and depth of Jay's formidable voice, and her winning combination of traditional country and cutting edge radio-ready hits. Former senior editor of Rolling Stone magazine and veteran music journalist Ben Fong-Torres sings her praises: "Valerie Jay is a country belter out of England - Emmylou, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt - Jay's right in there, mixing country and soul, her voice full of heartbreak and passion."

In 2004 Jay released 'Pacific Time', her debut CD, with the Americanos, a genre-crossing treasure chest of classic country, rock standards and original gems. In 2005, The San Francisco Weekly named Valerie Jay & The Americanos 'Best Country/Americana Band' in San Francisco. Fast forwarding to 2009, Jay has an extensive repertoire of live shows under her belt spanning the Bay Areas clubs, bars, fairs and festivals. Jay continues to perform with her band (Bass-Rob McCloskey, Drums-Tony Pintacura, Electric Guitar-Michael Hanna, Keyboard-David Kaffinetti aka Viv Savage) and also with an acoustic line up allowing her the ultimate intimate connection with her audience. Both ensembles include her musical director/co-writer/bass guitarist Rob McCloskey:: "I see her potential. Valerie's voice is unique. She's a formidable presence, but with a vulnerability. People seem to be moved and touched by her". Jay keeps her feet firmly on the ground while forging ahead with her music: "There's always another venue to play and more people to win over - whether it's a coffee house or a festival, I'm thankful that I have each opportunity to reach out to people".