Norman Jay

Norman Jay

Norman Jay is a British DJ from Notting Hill, London, born in 1957. He becomes known for playing across genres rather than staying within one style, and his work spans house, funk, soul, disco and jazz-funk. He is awarded an MBE in 2002 for services to music.

Career

He first comes to prominence in the early 1980s through unlicensed warehouse parties, including Shake 'n' Fingerpop. He helps establish his reputation through the London pirate radio station Kiss 100, which he co-manages with Gordon Mac and George Power after the station launches in 1990. His radio show at Kiss 100 becomes especially well known, and he later presents the Funk Factory series on BBC Radio 2 as well as having an ongoing show on BBC London.

Jay joins Gilles Peterson at the label Talkin’ Loud. He also appears as one of 20 DJs contributing one track each to the 2005 BBC Worldwide Awards broadcasts, which generate three Christmas and New Year specials for BBC Radio 1.

Good Times Sound System

He starts the Good Times Sound System with his brother Joey. It becomes a major feature of the Notting Hill Carnival, drawing large crowds over the two-day August bank holiday event. The Good Times approach combines classic 1970s and 1980s funk, soul and jazz-funk with newer music, and the brand later expands into a series of compilation CDs.

Style and wider profile

Jay describes himself as a house music DJ, although his selections are broader than that label suggests. His music is associated with “the cream of 70s disco with the latest club anthems,” and his radio sets can include older tracks such as Billy Griffin’s “Hold Me Tighter In The Rain” alongside more contemporary material.

He is also a regular at the Big Chill Festival, where his Sunday afternoon main-stage slot is a recurring part of the event. Outside music, he is a dedicated Tottenham Hotspur supporter.