Short Biography

Jason Kay is the principal member, songwriter, and lead singer of the band Jamiroquai. He is the son of Karen Kay, jazz singer, cabaret singer, `70s and `80s comedienne and impressionist, and Luís Silveira, a Portuguese musician, mainly active in the 1960s in groups like Conjunto Mistério and Filarmónica Fraude.

Kay had a twin brother David, but he died a few weeks after birth. Kay has said that he still has a strong emotional connection with his brother. He was brought up by his Jewish mother Karen Kay and stepfather James Royal. He did not meet his biological father, Luís Silveira, until 2001. He was educated firstly at the independent Holmwood House School in Colchester, and then at the independent Oakham School in Rutland where he was caught smoking marijuana and expelled.
He spent six months in Thailand at the age of thirteen with his stepfather. Upon returning home, he decided to change his life and began recording demos using his drum machine and some free studio time, and writing lyrics (he was taught how to play a real drum set by Jan van Mesdag). During this time he coined the name Jamiroquai for his potential new band, based upon the name of a Native American tribe, the Iroquois, and "jam" from the word jamming, and also the distinctive Buffalo Man logo. His demos were soon spotted by the UK music label Acid Jazz with whom Kay signed a recording contract.

Miscellaneous Information

Friends and Family

Karen Kay [Mother]

Lusi Waddington [Father]

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