JAY BRAGG: THE WIZARD OF WHIMSY
Songwriter • Composer • The Wizard of Whimsy
Third-Generation Songwriter and Composer
Nashville, Tennessee
Hundreds of original songs. 14 studio albums. Publishing deal with Howling Music. 100 years of family entertainment heritage.
Jay Bragg is a critically acclaimed songwriter and theatrical composer creating original works in the Tin Pan Alley tradition—the authentic American songwriting craft his family has practiced for a century. From intimate crooner ballads to full theatrical productions, his compositions serve as cultural medicine for audiences seeking sophisticated entertainment rooted in genuine artistry.
🎼 SONGWRITER & COMPOSER
ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS IN THE TIN PAN ALLEY TRADITION
At the heart of everything Jay Bragg creates are his original songs—hundreds of compositions blending Tin Pan Alley sophistication, New Orleans jazz soul, and theatrical storytelling craft.
14 Studio Albums | Publishing Deal (Howling Music) | Film/TV Placements | Critical Acclaim (Saving Country Music, NPR, Boston Globe)
Current Work:
"Act I" EP - Six original Tin Pan Alley-meets-New Orleans jazz compositions
New Vaudeville theatrical scores - Original music for four seasonal productions
Film/TV licensing catalog - Works available through Howling Music
Ongoing composition - Writing for theatrical, recording, and licensing
"I'm not a cover artist with a big repertoire. I'm a songwriter whose original compositions power theatrical experiences and recording projects. The 4,000-song knowledge informs my writing—I don't just mimic the greats, I understand the craft well enough to contribute to the tradition."
🎭 JAY BRAGG'S NEW VAUDEVILLE
FOUR THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS POWERED BY ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS
The culmination of Jay's songwriting craft—four seasonal variety shows featuring original theatrical compositions alongside curated vintage standards, each with its own musical identity and civic purpose.
🍀 March: Irish in New Vaudeville - Original Celtic-punk fusion compositions
🇺🇸 July: New Vaudeville, USA - Original patriotic jazz standards
🎃 October: Voodoo in New Vaudeville - Original New Orleans dark carnival works
🎄 December: Christmas in New Vaudeville - Original holiday compositions (6th year)
These aren't just variety shows—they're platforms for Jay's original theatrical compositions, performed in full production with band, specialty performers, and audience participation.
THE THIRD-GENERATION SONGWRITER STORY
BORN INTO SONGWRITING
Before Birth
The best songwriter origin stories begin before breath. While pregnant with Jay, his mother placed headphones from the mixing board on her stomach during his father's gospel band performances. Jay absorbed the vibrations of Black spiritual traditions—gospel, blues, soul—before he drew breath.
This prenatal immersion in authentic American musical DNA created cellular-level understanding of songwriting craft: not just how songs sound, but how they work, how they move people, how they serve communities.
The 100-Year Entertainment & Songwriting Lineage
1920s-1940s: The Vaudeville Songwriters
Jay's grandparents performed in vaudeville when Tin Pan Alley composers were America's cultural architects. Songs weren't products—they were community-building technology.
1950s-2020s: The Gospel/Country Composer
Jay's father spent 50+ years writing and performing original gospel and seasonal compositions. He understood: different cultural moments need different songs, written specifically for those moments.
2020s-Present: The Theatrical Composer
Jay synthesizes 100 years of family songwriting wisdom into original works for New Vaudeville theatrical productions, recording projects, and film/TV licensing—proving Tin Pan Alley craft can still serve contemporary audiences.
This isn't "aspiring songwriter" story. This is third-generation professional composer continuing family tradition.
THE RECORDING ARTIST
📀 DISCOGRAPHY & RELEASES
14 Studio Albums (2008-Present)
Select Recent Works:
"Act I" EP (2025) - New Vaudeville theatrical compositions
“King Kazoo & The Reindeer Band” (2024) - Christmas EP
"Light It Up" (2022) - Original holiday works
“Call Home” (2021) - Acoustic full-lenth album
“Find Me In A Song” - (2020) - Full-length country album
"Honky Tonk Dream" (2018) - Critical acclaim, Saving Country Music
"North of Nashville" (2017) - Americana songwriting
[Full discography available on streaming platforms]
Publishing Deal:
Howling Music (Film/TV Placements)
Critical Recognition:
Saving Country Music: "Add Jay Bragg to the list of names you need to check out, and don't feel bashful shoving it to the very top of the heap."
Boston Globe: "Jay's unique gift is his natural ability to make others feel joy through his music and heart."
NPR Features: Multiple affiliate stations
American Songwriter: Feature coverage
THE COMPOSER'S CRAFT
✍️ WHAT MAKES JAY'S SONGWRITING UNIQUE
Tin Pan Alley Sophistication: Not retro pastiche—authentic understanding of pre-rock American songwriting craft (melodic structure, harmonic sophistication, lyrical storytelling).
Theatrical Composition: Songs written FOR specific characters, moments, and production contexts (not generic singer-songwriter confessionals).
Multicultural Roots: Deep knowledge of gospel, blues, jazz, country traditions informing original works that honor authentic American musical DNA.
Versatility Across Styles: Can compose in Celtic punk (Irish show), big band jazz (July 4th show), New Orleans voodoo funk (October show), sophisticated Christmas standards (December show).
4,000-Song Knowledge Base: Encyclopedic understanding of American popular song INFORMS original compositions—knowing the tradition deeply enough to contribute meaningfully to it.
This is what separates Jay from "entertainers with big repertoires"—he's a COMPOSER whose knowledge base serves his original work, not replaces it.