JAY O'BRIEN

Jay O'Brien Playing the 5 Octave Yamaha Marimba
Jay
Jay O'Brien playing at the famous NYC jazz club Birdland

Jay O'Brien

is a tri-state area percussionist, located in Bergen County NJ with over 20 years of experience teaching and performing.  He is a versatile instrumentalist comfortable playing drumset, marimba, vibraphone, and percussion. He has traveled to and performed in venues both locally and across the globe including Birdland, Lincoln Center, Off Broadway on Theatre Row, Carnegie Hall, NJPAC and Saint Croix. 


As an educator, his students have attended numerous conservatories and universities. Recently Jay and his student were featured performers with the Ramsey Wind Ensemble. His younger students regularly place in their respective school and area ensembles. 

He maintains an active schedule of orchestral performances, musicals, jazz drumset, and solo vibraphone and marimba engagements.


Jay’s marimba and vibraphone playing can be found on his YouTube channel and with the YEYEY Band. He demonstrates mastery of both the “classical” marimba rep as well as a unique approach to popular songs on the instrument.


Jay values education and ensuring that all students have access to quality instruments. To this end, he runs a percussion repair and rental business that focuses on ensuring the students have the right gear at the right price for schools across the state.  He has a NJ BRC and is ready to fix any potential issue you may encounter.


Jay endorses Innovative Percussion and uses their products exclusively.