Jay Cleary

Jay Cleary

Born and raised in Etobicoke and an accomplished guitarist in his own right, Jay earned a B.A. in Business Information Systems from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. While at St. F/X, he studied jazz theory and performance, served as Music Director for the University's radio sation CFXU and also contributed music-related articles to the school's newspaper. After graduating in 1999, Jay began his music career in Halifax -- booking for the World Trade Centre, building and nurturing the relationships that continue to form the East Coast foundation of Nufunk's business to this day. He moved back to Toronto in 2004 and founded Nufunk Concerts (along with 360 Degrees Artists) in 2005, promoting shows at venues such as the Gypsy Coop and El Mocambo and gradually extending the range of venues to include all of Toronto's small-to-midsize music hotspots such as The Opera House, Revival, Lula Lounge, Supermarket and the Rivoli. Today, Nufunk promotes approximately 60 events per year. Other companies such as Live Nation, Embrace Presents and Small World Music frequently tap into Jay's boundless work ethic, online promotion savvy, community profile and personable nature to help promote larger events with artists such as Xavier Rudd, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Gov't Mule and others. Nufunk has also spun off associated event brands such as Make it Funky, a monthly breakbeat party with an innovative DJ headliner/live band/resident DJ support format that has become a staple of the Toronto music scene.