Jay Phelps: Canadian Jazz Trumpeter, DJ, Entrepreneur, Wife, Age and Career

Jay Phelps is a Canadian-born trumpeter, composer, bandleader, DJ, educator, writer and entrepreneur who has built a respected career in the British jazz scene. Born in Vancouver on 2 July 1982, he moved to London as a teenager and went on to become a familiar name in UK jazz. His professional journey has lasted for more than 25 years and has included live performance, recording, radio, documentary work, business leadership and music casting.

Phelps is known for his warm and projecting trumpet tone, but his career reaches far beyond one instrument. He has worked as a bandleader, created documentary projects, presented radio programmes and developed a growing presence as a DJ. He is also the founder of SoulEndvr, a creative hub and music casting agency. In his personal life, he is married to Sky News presenter Mhari Aurora.

Who Is Jay Phelps?

Jay Phelps is a Vancouver-born Canadian musician based in London, England. He has worked professionally as a trumpet player since 1999 and has become an established figure in British jazz. His work includes performance, composition, band leadership, education, writing and DJing. He has also developed business and media projects that connect musicians with wider creative industries.

Phelps has built his reputation through both traditional musicianship and modern creative work. His career includes jazz performance, documentary production, radio presenting and entrepreneurship, giving him a broad role within contemporary music.

Jay Phelps Age and Date of Birth

Jay Phelps was born on 2 July 1982 in Vancouver, Canada. He is 44 years old as of August 2026. His age is strongly supported by his own Instagram activity. On 2 July 2026, he shared a birthday post marking 44 years of life. Friends and followers also wished him a happy birthday in the comments.

Jay Phelps Early Life in Vancouver

Phelps grew up in Vancouver, where he developed an early interest in trumpet and music. He received tuition from respected jazz and classical trumpet teachers in the city, giving him a strong technical foundation. His early training helped him develop confidence as a young musician. Rather than remaining in Canada, he made a major decision during his teenage years and moved to London at 17. This move became a turning point in his life. London offered access to an active jazz scene, live venues, experienced musicians and creative organisations. It was in the UK that most of his professional career developed.

Jay Phelps Move to London

Phelps moved to London in 1999 and began working professionally as a trumpet player. His LinkedIn background states that he has been active as a professional trumpet musician since September 1999. London became his main professional base. Over the years, he built relationships with musicians, performed across the UK and became connected with important parts of the British jazz community. His long-term presence in London also helped him move into other areas of music, including DJ work, radio, entrepreneurship and film-related projects.

Jay Phelps Jazz Career

Phelps has spent more than two decades working in jazz. His style is associated with a warm trumpet sound and strong projection, qualities that helped him stand out in live settings and studio work. He became involved with notable organisations and projects within British jazz. His career included links with Tomorrow’s Warriors and Jazz Jamaica, both of which have played important roles in the UK jazz scene. These experiences helped him develop as both a performer and creative collaborator. They also allowed him to work within a strong network of musicians while building his own identity as a bandleader.

Jay Phelps and Empirical

One of the important stages of his career came through his involvement with Empirical. The British jazz group gained attention for combining strong musicianship with modern ideas. Phelps contributed as a performer and writer and was part of the group’s early development. His work with Empirical helped strengthen his position within British jazz and gave him further experience in ensemble performance and composition. This period was important because it showed that he could contribute creatively as well as technically.

Jay Phelps as a Bandleader

Phelps later developed a strong identity as a bandleader. Leading his own projects allowed him to shape the musical direction and create work that reflected his personal style. He has released several albums as a leader. His professional biography stated that his seventh album as a leader was planned for release through Platoon, a label connected with Apple Music. His work as a bandleader reflects long-term creative ambition. He has not limited himself to session work or supporting roles but has continued developing original projects under his own name.

Jay Phelps DJ Career

Alongside jazz, Phelps has built a growing career as a DJ. His Instagram description highlights both trumpet and DJ work, showing how his musical identity has evolved. His DJ sets allow him to explore genres beyond traditional jazz and connect with different audiences.

This part of his career reflects his interest in modern music culture. He has shown that he is comfortable combining his background in live instrumental music with more contemporary club and electronic sounds. His DJ work adds another layer to a career already shaped by jazz, composition and performance.

Jay Phelps and SoulEndvr

Jay Phelps founded SoulEndvr in April 2021. SoulEndvr operates as a creative hub and music casting agency with a focus on diversity, inclusion and professional musicianship. The company helps connect trained musicians with projects in television, film and other creative fields.

Phelps has stated that SoulEndvr has worked with major platforms and organisations including Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO and the BBC. His experience as a professional musician gives him a strong understanding of what performers need, while his industry contacts help the agency connect talent with large productions.

Purpose of SoulEndvr

SoulEndvr is designed to provide professional musicians for creative projects while maintaining high standards. The company focuses on skilled performers who can meet detailed casting requirements. Phelps’ role as founder places him at the centre of both the creative and business sides of the operation. This venture shows how his career has expanded beyond performance into entrepreneurship and industry leadership.

Jay Phelps and Ear to the Ground

Phelps created Ear to the Ground in October 2022. The project is a music documentary series focused on jazz artists in the UK and beyond. It gives audiences a closer look at the lives, careers and experiences of working musicians.

The series moves beyond performances and explores the personal and professional side of music. Phelps brings his own experience as a long-term musician into the project, allowing him to speak with artists from an informed position. Ear to the Ground also highlights his interest in storytelling and visual media.

Jay Phelps Radio and Media Work

Phelps has worked in radio presenting as well. His media experience includes work connected with Jazz FM and Worldwide FM. These roles allowed him to introduce music, discuss artists and communicate with audiences in a different format. Radio fits naturally with his wider work because he has always been involved in more than performance alone. His documentary work, DJ career and presenting experience show that he is interested in music culture as a whole.

Jay Phelps Wife Mhari Aurora

Jay Phelps is married to British journalist and Sky News presenter Mhari Aurora. The couple married on 7 June 2023. Their wedding date is supported by Aurora’s own anniversary post published on 7 June 2025, when she celebrated two years since their wedding day.

Their professional lives are different but share several creative qualities. Phelps works in music, performance and business, while Aurora works in television journalism and broadcasting. They have shared selected moments from their marriage on social media, including travel, celebrations and anniversary posts.

Jay Phelps and Mhari Aurora Creative Connection

Phelps and Aurora have also worked together creatively. Aurora has featured with him on a musical recording, showing that their relationship has included artistic collaboration as well as married life. Their shared interest in performance and media gives them a natural creative connection despite working in different industries.

Does Jay Phelps Have Children?

There is no strong first-hand confirmation establishing whether Jay Phelps has children. His professional biographies focus on music, business and creative projects, while his marriage to Mhari Aurora is clearly established.

Jay Phelps Social Media

Phelps has an active social media presence. His Instagram account, @iamjayphelps, identifies him as an artist and highlights his trumpet and DJ work. His posts include performances, music projects, travel and personal moments. On X, he uses @jayphelpsmusic. His account reflects his wider music work and his Ear to the Ground project. His social platforms show the different sides of his career, from jazz and DJ performances to documentary work and entrepreneurship.

Jay Phelps as an Educator and Writer

Phelps also describes himself as an educator and writer. These roles fit naturally with his long experience in music. Education gives him the opportunity to share knowledge with younger musicians, while writing allows him to explore ideas about creativity and the industry. His work in these areas shows that he contributes to music beyond live performance.

Jay Phelps Career Legacy

Jay Phelps has built a career that stands out for its range and longevity. He began as a young trumpet player from Vancouver and became an established figure in London jazz. Over more than 25 years, he has worked as a performer, composer, bandleader, DJ, educator, writer, presenter and entrepreneur.

Projects such as SoulEndvr and Ear to the Ground show that he continues to create new opportunities and expand his work into different areas. His career combines traditional musicianship with modern media, business and digital culture.

Final Thoughts on Jay Phelps

Jay Phelps is a Canadian-born musician whose career has developed across jazz, media and entrepreneurship. Born on 2 July 1982 in Vancouver, he moved to London at 17 and established himself as a professional trumpet player.

His work with British jazz groups, his albums as a bandleader and his long career as a performer helped build his reputation. More recently, SoulEndvr, Ear to the Ground, radio work and DJing have shown how widely his professional interests have grown. He is also known personally as the husband of Sky News presenter Mhari Aurora, whom he married on 7 June 2023.

At 44, Phelps has more than 25 years of professional experience and remains active across several parts of the creative industry. His career reflects musicianship, adaptability, business thinking and a continued commitment to jazz and modern music culture.

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