Jay Schellen joined Asia in August 2005, replacing previsou drummer drummer Chris Slade (The Firm, AC/DC).



Jay Schellen is a very well respect drummer in both the studio and on the stage. He has graced the ranks of such notable acts as Badfinger And Hurricane. Most recently, Jay participated in the Chris Squire/Billy Sherwood project, Conspiracy.



Biography:

Schellen, Jay David, Born 05/20/60, Albuquerque, New Mexico.



1963

Jay Schellen began his musical career banging on various pots and Pans, coffee can, with pencils and metal lamp shades. Jay's dad was a pianist/classical guitarist so naturally piano was the instrument of choice for the household. After seven years of classical piano lessons and countless hours of theory, Jay was ready for a change, drumming was his choice. Much to the chagrin of his parents, space was cleared for a make-shift drumset bought at a garage sale.



1971

Schellen began lessons with Nick Luchetti, Harlan Goldberg. Reading, Rudiments, Stick Control, solo composition and Basic Beats. Years later after countless frat parties, Air Force Base dances, and Bar gigs with his own local Band Ritual, a high school diploma, and one year of music study at the University Of New Mexico - Music Major of course - Theory/Jazz History/Typanic studies/voice training/Big Band.



1979

Jay Schellen left home at the age of nineteen and hit the road with his high school bandmates in Ritual. After several years touring the clubs and ballrooms/theaters of America, Ritual called it quits.



1981

Jay was invited by Glen Sherba (The Offenders/Commander Cody)to come to Los Angeles for an audition and join his band. Jay won that audition and began his first gig, (three hours after arriving in L.A.) rehearsing for an upcoming release with Epic recording artist Jef Scott. This group played several shows in LA and abroad and produced one recording for Epic Records.



1982

TONY KAYE, (keyboardist for Yes) saw Jay perform and asked him to join him with Tommy Evans, Joey Molland, Glen Sherba in the group Badfinger. This lineup produced one record for Radio Records, and selected concert performances around the US.



1984

YES'S original guitarist, Peter Banks noticed Jay's style and asked him to join him in his solo project. Playing every Tuesday night in a club called The Central on sunset strip.



1985

Danny Johnson (guitarist for Rick Derringer, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks) saw Jay's performance's and asked him to join his band, The Bandits. This produced one record for Polygram Records and a national tour opening for ZZ-Top. When Danny located to Shreveport Louisiana, Jay opted to stay in L.A.



1986

Jay Schellen joins the Band Stone Fury for rehearsals beginning his long time frienship/partnership with Bruce Gowdy (World Trade, Unruly Child).



At the same time Jay was asked to join in rehearsals for an upcoming stadium tour with Lita Ford by his Bandits bandmate Gordon Copley.



1986

Signs endorsement contracts with Tama, Remo and Zildjian companies.



1986-1992

And if that was not enough, Jay Schellen received a call to check out a now forming band called Hurricane. After winning the audition of over fifty drummers, Jay went on to record three records, 4 worldwide tours, and film five M.T.V. videos with Hurricane . After a stalemate in negotiating a new contract with Capitol Records Hurricane disbanded.



1990

First of many "Up and Coming Drummer" feature articles in "Modern Drummer" magazine.



1993

Schellen switches from Tama to endorse DW drums and signs with AKG microphones.



Jay got a call from Stone Fury bandmate Bruce Gowdy, asking him if he would like to make a record with his new band called UNRULY CHILD. Jay happily accepted. This group went on to record one record for Interscope Records which received much critical acclaim.



1994

Jay Schellen was hired to record for the European pop group LYNX. Jay stayed around Europe finishing up a string of sessions that followed.



1995

Jay returns to the US to join progressive rock band World Trade with Bruce Gowdy and Billy Sherwood to record "Euphoria". Jay adds "This music allowed me to really stretch creatively and technically". This recording marks the beginning of a new friendship and long running successful collaboration with the multi-talented musician/producer Billy Sherwood.



1995-97

Jay join's David Reece, Greg Chaisson and Larry Farkas to form "the band I always wanted" Sircle Of Silence, the agressive trio went on to record two records produced by James "Jimbo" Barton. (Queensryche, Eric Clapton, Metallica) and tour Europe extensively. "this is some of my best unabridged drumming" Jay confides.



1997

Jay publishes his drum method book "Rocking Independence" and launches a 22-stop promotional clinic tour of Guitar Centers. "Modern Drummer" magazine reviews "Rocking Independence" **** . "Rocking Independence" receives numerous pro-endorsements. First edition/printing Sold-Out in Guitar Centers Nationwide.



1998

Schellen joins the blues based band Heaven and Earth w/former Hurricane bandmate Kelly Hansen and guitarist Stuart Smith, touring and recording the self titled "Heaven and Earth".



He is featured cover drummer article/interview in "Modern Drummer" Magazine.



1998-1999

Reunites with longtime friends and bandmates Bruce Gowdy and Kelly Hansen to record "Waiting for The Sun" the follow up to "Unruly Child".



He joins World Trade bandmate Billy Sherwood to record Billy's solo progressive showpiece entitled "The Big Peace" in 1999. "This recording is some of my most creative drumming to date" confides Jay.



Joins Tak Yonemochi and Hurricane bandmate Kelly Hansen to record several releases for the group Air Pavilion.



2000

Jay Schellen joins Billy Sherwood and Chris Squire (Yes) to record selected tracks for their solo project group "Conspiracy".



2001-2002

Jay is hired by Tiage Records for a project to record with the world's best guitarists to produce the tribute recordings, Jeffology (Jeff Beck) and Crossfire (Stevie Ray Vaughn). These recordings proved to be a great success. Jay's participation in numerous tribute records followed, sharing in the drumming duties with the best drummers in the world today. Dragon Attack (Queen), Thunderbolt (AC/DC), Bat's Head Soup (Ozzy Osbourne), Tales From Yesterday (Yes), Supper'S Ready (Genesis), The Moon Revisited (Pink Floyd).



2003-current

Re-joins Billy Sherwood and Chris Squire's "Conspiracy" to record "The Unknown" the follow up recording to "Conspiracy". The group is planning a tour if scheduling permits.



Jay currently finds time to teach, perform clinics and do television and motion picture session dates, as well as steady recording sessions for a variety of artists. Jay is now in the studio with Billy Sherwood recording with progressive band "ASIA" working on their new release for 2004.



Soon to come Jay is scheduled to record in the near future on a new "World Trade" release as well as a new "Unruly Child" release and a new "Hurricane" release all due out in 2004.