Solo/Duo

Jay also performs intimate Solo shows as well as Duets.

Jay Middleton & Chris Pimentel are an acoustic duo who perform in the Bay Area & Wine Country. With a massive songbook of songs across all genres and eras, they always have a song for every party guest. Their duo is the perfect fit for any event, whether as background/listening music for a cocktail/dinner party or for a fun & funky small band dance party – or both. Chris provides the lead guitar and background vocals, while Jay provides the lead vocals backed by piano, guitar and ukulele.

Interested in booking a Solo or Duo performance? Click the button below to schedule a meeting with Jay.

Speak With Jay

testing to see if I can stretch the image to full width on mobile

Chris Pimentel is widely regarded as one of the premier guitarists in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 1989, Chris has provided world-class solo jazz guitar for Napa Valley events at Opus One, Cuvasion Estate Wines, Clos Pegase, Mumm Napa Valley and many other prestigious winery venues. His noteworthy career has also included performances in top jazz combos, rock bands and theater orchestras.

A seasoned performer and Berklee College of Music graduate, Chris has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in pop history, including Michael Feinstein, Al Wilson, The Coasters, The Drifters, The Platters, and Tommy Tutone. His Broadway credits span acclaimed productions such as Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia, The Full Monty, Wicked, Hairspray, The Color Purple, Annie, Spamalot, Cats, Big River, and Disney’s High School Musical.

In addition to his work on Broadway and with major artists, he has been a vibrant part of the Bay Area music scene, performing with top party bands like the Dick Bright Orchestra, Encore, The Jay Middleton Party Band, Big City Review, City Lights, Full Motion, All Star Jukebox, Mustache Harbor, and Tainted Love. He currently serves on the music faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College.

Since 1985, Jay Middleton has performed over 3,000 shows across the U.S., lighting up festivals, parties, and venues with his powerful, expressive voice. Widely recognized as one of the Bay Area’s premier vocalists, he’s known for his ability to sing almost anything—effortlessly crossing genres and decades with ease. For 20 years, he led the popular party band All Star Jukebox before launching the Jay Middleton Party Band in 2023.

As a songwriter, he’s landed three tracks on the U.S. Top 40 charts, earning national airplay and sharing stages with major artists along the way. His 2024 album Forward marked a triumphant return to the charts, 27 years after his last hit. The record earned two first-round Grammy nominations and drew praise from the San Francisco Chronicle’s Joel Selvin, who called it “a seamless evocation of timeless musical values…soulful but sophisticated.”

A Stanford University film major, Jay lives in the Bay Area with his wife, two kids, a cat, and his beloved dog, Bucky.

FAQs

common questions / answers…

What does it cost to hire JMPB?

The JMPB is a very reasonably priced party band option. There are many variables for each event such as date, type of event, venue location, performance timing, number of guests, and custom options that affect the price – so Jay only provides pricing ranges, and not exact pricing. For an accurate quote, please contact Jay by scheduling a brief phone meeting appointment or call him at (415) 713-6047. Jay considers his rates very competitive & reasonably priced and he will make every effort to work within your budget.

What do I get when I hire JMPB?

Hiring the JMPB gets you the full band and instruments, a stage lighting system synched to the music, a full professional sound system and an M.C. to assist you with your event. You will also have access to our wireless microphones for speeches/toasts. We also keep the party going with recorded music during breaks when the band is not performing. Jay will work with you & your party planner every step of the way to ensure your special day is as memorable and perfect as it can be.

Is the JMPB adaptable and easy to work with?

Jay & the JMPB are flexible and responsive and enjoy working with you to customize the best show for your special event. If you’ve got some creative requests, be sure to ask us. Do you need an extra sound system and/or solo piano for the wedding ceremony? We do that. Need jazz instrumental music for dinner or cocktail hour? We do that too – and much more. We are a full-service party band built to handle the musical moments for every part of your special day – and not just the high-energy dance sets. Please let us know what we can do to make your event unforgettable.

What attire does JMPB wear?

The band is flexible and has a number of costume options available, from black suits w/ties for the guys & gowns for the gals to something fun, funky and appropriate for your event. You can also have a combination of formal and funky looks throughout the evening if desired.

Does the JMPB provide sound and lights?

The JMPB will provide a professional sound system and stage lighting for your event. The sound system we supply is always available for you to use for speeches, presentations, and background music throughout your event. The band’s sound engineer will be on hand throughout the night to assist you in any way possible. The JMPB also supplies an iPod with several hours of pre-loaded background music with playlists created for jazz standards, R&B, Disco, 80s, and current club hits that they will gladly play before the band plays and during the breaks. You are also welcome to supply your own device and/or Spotify playlists for us to use.

Does the JMPB play special song requests?

The JMPB plays songs from all genres and eras and has something for every guest at your event. Jay will work with you ahead of the event to ensure the song list will be best suited for you and your guests’ musical tastes & desires. You can select your favorite songs in advance from the band’s song list and we will make sure to play them. You are also welcome to provide the band with a list of songs to omit from their set list. Thinking of a special song for your first dance? For each event, the band can learn 2-3 new songs that are not on their song list, but this must be discussed with us prior to the event. Given ample time, we can learn most song requests. If for some reason we cannot accommodate your special requests, we can have the song played on Spotify/iPod before or in between sets.

How can I see the JMPB doing their thing live?

The JMPB has many live videos posted on the Gallery page this website and on their YouTube channel that you can watch and listen to. They also do public live showcases in the SF Bay Area every other month for new clients, and also perform at public festivals and clubs & casinos.

Does the JMPB travel to perform at events outside of the Bay Area?

Yes! Even though The JMPB is based in Northern California, the band has traveled extensively on the West Coast and farther. Jay has contacts in most major cities for instruments, sound and lighting backline. The band’s management takes care of travel arrangements and handles all the details every step of the way to ensure that the show goes off without a hitch.