Friday and Saturday, July 17-18 — KILLINGTON — The Blue Jay Way band got its start at Castleton College back in the mid-70s. Forged by their love of Beatles music, Tim Brown and Dave Sabatino began as a duo featuring great harmonies with guitar and bass. Terry Jaye joined the group a few months later on drums and vocals and they stayed as a trio for years. Blue Jay Way played at The Checkmate (now the Iron Lantern) in Castleton and the owner then moved them to his other club on the mountain, The Kings Four. The band also played at Pico for a few years.
“We were babies surrounded by people in their 30s, 40s and 50s. The pressure was on for us to grow up in a hurry,” said Jaye.
According to Dave Sabatino, “It was intimidating for guys about 20 years old to perform for huge crowds that were used to great entertainment, so we used high energy and gave the crowd a fun show.”
Sabatino now lives in New Jersey but makes the trip to Vermont a few times a year to perform with the band and this time he’s bringing his daughters, Kelly and Katie, who are pretty good musicians in their own right. The band has featured several local musicians over the years and there are now usually 5 or 6 players that perform on a given night.
Jaye says, “it is always fun to play music with the original guys that started this thing 40 years ago.”
Original member Tim Brown said, “I get the same rush out of playing music with Terry and Dave as I did 40 years ago at the Checkmate in Castleton and Kings Four in Killington. And to get to play alongside such great musicians as Brad Morgan, Rob Henrichon, Pete Giancola and Steve McLaughlin these past few years makes it even more fun. The key for longevity is playing music you enjoy, and enjoying the people with whom you play. It’s enriched my life, and hopefully given a bit of pleasure to others.”
Blue Jay Way will perform at the Foundry at Summit Pond in Killington Friday and Saturday nights, July 17 and 18 celebrating 40 years together.
