Bio & Reviews

"He's a musical pied piper; quick, nimble, and wonderfully crazy. He alternates complexity, simplicity, and hilarity, leading us to the most beautifully obvious conclusion; that we're all human, we're all in this together, and it's not so bad after all." - Margie Rosenkrantz, Director, The Eighth Step

"The blending, in fact, is what makes Mankita such an outstanding performer . . . Even within individual verses of the same song, Mankita will shift his voice from a Brombergian growl to a soft and mellow falsetto; pull his tempo from allegretto to a dramatic legato; from Windham Hillian wallpaper background to a snapping fret-slapping blues style. With his assortment of styles and voices, you never find your mind wandering." - Jeremy Bloom, Schenectady Daily Gazette
"He tickles my melodic funny-bone."- Ralph Litwin, 'Horses Sing None of It

"Environmental songwriter Jay Mankita performed magnificently,with everything from his environmental anthem 'Living Planet', to his brand-new anti-Bush song, 'They Lied'." - Sierra Atlantic

Jay Mankita is a masterful guitarist, singer, and songwriter who for the past 25 years  has presented thousands of concerts throughout the Northeast. 

The strength and  clarity of his unique style of guitar playing provides a rich rhythmic ground for his dynamic and original melodies and lyrics.

He is as well known for his funny songs like 'From a Dog's Stance', 'Tracy At The Bat', and 'The Cliche Song' as he is for his more moving material - songs like 'Living Planet', 'Morning Face', and 'Bread Alone'.

His political songs such as 'They Lied', and 'Proud To Be A Socialist' have been internet hits and audience favorites, appealing to listeners on both  sides of, and beyond, the aisle. 

Jay says he sees himself as having one foot marching in the world of social change, one foot dancing in the realms of the spirit, and the third foot firmly planted in his mouth trying to keep him from getting into trouble!

Jay has shared the stage, opened for, performed with, and recorded with many  artists, including: Pete Seeger, David Bromberg, Leon Russell, Tom Paxton, Ronnie Gilbert, Paul Winter, Magpie, Pat Humphries, Kim & Reggie Harris, Butch Morgan, Karen Mal, Mike Morris, Peter Siegel, and dozens of others. 

Jay has been playing guitar, composing, and performing his original songs since his college days in New York State. During this time, he's also been an actor, photographer, environmental activist, swing dancer, children's performer, playwright, and occasional world traveler. At this moment, he is probably blogging at his computer, studying triad inversions on one of his 5 guitars, or hiking in the woods. 

He drives a touring van powered by recycled vegetable oil, which he enjoys showing after every show. He has recorded 6 CDs, his favorite color is blue, and he is currently living in the only upstairs apartment in a cemetery in Western Massachusetts.


    phone: 800-268-9148                    email: info@jaymankita.com