Award winning guitarist, Jay Soto draws upon a diverse background to form
his unique style. Studying drums at age 5 and classical piano at age 7,
Soto embarked upon his favorite instrument, guitar, at age 12. Soto's early
years were diverse with sound, ranging from Beethoven to Church Hymns. All
this exposure amounted to an early obsession for the pursuit of music. Soto
continued his education as a young adult at Arizona State University.

Today, Soto continues his beginnings by honoring his church roots as the
music director for St. Helen's Church in Glendale, Arizona. A consummate
player and an accomplished composer/arranger, with song placement on such
mega hit shows as "Sex and the City" (HBO) and "All About US" (NBC).

Soto was also the grand finalist in Guitar Center's "Guitarmageddon"
competition, the most respected guitar competition in the nation. Beginning
at a local level, he proved his talent immediately by winning the local,
district and regional rounds and then made his way to the finals held at
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar festival in Dallas, Texas playing in front
of over 15,000 people. In the end, Jay finished as one of the top unsigned
guitarists in the nation.

Soto is also a skilled vocalist and had the honor of singing the "Star
Spangled Banner" for President Bush at a rally in 2004 at the Memorial
Coliseum in Phoenix, Arizona.

Drawing from a vast background of experience as a sideman, Soto's role as
the lead guitarist for acclaimed Christian group "Vessel," gave him the
opportunity to appear before thousands of listeners in major Christian
venues with such notable acts as Margaret Backer, Jon Gibson, Whiteheart and
The Newsboys. Soto was also the lead guitarist for Zum Zum Zum, a highly
acclaimed Latin group based out of Phoenix, Arizona. Soto's involvement
with the group taught him the finer points about Latin rhythms, which he now
incorporates into his playing and technique. These experiences and
performing with some of the top musicians in Arizona (Dan Pinson, Joey
Navarro, Johnny Sandoval, Peter Torsiello, Patricia Torsiello, Jeff Jones,
Jodi Light, Mike King and Michael Browning) have seasoned Soto into one of
the finest Smooth Jazz guitarists of his generation. His memorable
melodies and impeccable technique are the cornerstone of success, to date, 
with his debut release Long Time Coming.