About Jake
Jake Amy is a highly sought-after keyboardist, producer and music director from Australia, known for their versatility and dynamic performances with a diverse range of both Australian and international artists. They have collaborated with ARIA Music Award winners Kaiit and Gabriella Cilmi, platinum-selling artist Ricki-Lee, gold-selling artist Wafia, and South Sudan's "King of Music”, Gordon Koang. Originally from the regional town of Wonthaggi, Jake’s career has taken them around the globe, from performing in stadiums to audiences of over 30,000 to appearances on ABC's Spicks and Specks and Channel 10’s Studio 10.
Jake has supported an impressive lineup of international music icons, including Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan, Nile Rodgers, Thundercat, Cory Henry, Sampa The Great, Masego, Hiatus Kaiyote, Joy Crookes, Glass Beams, Marcus Miller and Snoh Aalegra. Jake currently serves as the music director for Kaiit, Emma Volard and Wild Gloriosa, and has extensively rearranged their songs to include elements of gospel, R&B, hip-hop and traditional jazz musics. Jake is a member of over 15 projects, performing regularly with Kaiit, Emma Volard, Alexander Flood, Bumpy, CANISHA, Wilson Blackley, Malla, Erica Tucceri, Priscilla Stanley, and David Arden, amongst others. Jake has toured internationally around the world, visiting much of Europe, the United Kingdom, and South East Asia.
In addition to their performance career, Jake is a prolific writer, producer, arranger and session musician, having contributed to works by Kaiit, V V Brown, Miss Kaninna, Pania, Kee’ahn, Don Glori, Wild Gloriosa, Shewit Belay and Kala Gare. In 2025, Kaiit with co-writers Jake Amy, Anthony Liddell, Jaydean Miranda and Justin Smith also won their first APRA AMCOS Music Award for Space in the Most Performed R&B/Soul Work. As an arranger, Jake has been commissioned to orchestrate scores for ensembles of 100+ members for performances at venues such as Melbourne Recital Centre and Hamer Hall. A selection of their released works can be explored further here.
Jake’s own project, also known at live performances as the Jake Amy Trio, combines jazz influences with hip hop, house, and broken beat rhythms, offering a high-energy live experience characterised by infectious grooves and extended improvisational sections. Their innovative work with this ensemble has garnered multiple grants from Creative Victoria, Regional Arts Victoria, and The Piano Project. Jake was also selected as a Performance Fellow for the 2021 Dots + Loops program. Their first album to define their nujazz sound, Doom, was released in June 2023, with a follow-up released last year under Amsterdam's Wicked Wax label. This release, titled Yoofee, was a response to their experience with gender visibility and acceptance; a reflection of their desire to break free from restrictive norms and express a spectrum of identity through their art.
Jake holds a Bachelor of Music with a specialisation in Jazz Performance from Monash University and completed a jazz and improvisation summer course at New York University in 2018. In 2020, they founded Attaboi, a volunteer-led online magazine dedicated to promoting inclusivity and diversity within the Australian music scene. Attaboi quickly became known for its commitment to social justice, addressing issues such as systemic discrimination, Indigenous sovereignty, and gender equality. Through Attaboi, Jake has interviewed notable artists including Katie Noonan, Danielle Ponder, Gretta Ray and DRMNGNOW.
In 2021, Jake wrote an article titled What Is Australian Jazz for Dingo Australian Jazz Journal, featuring interviews with jazz figures Tony Gould, Deline Briscoe, and Daniel Wilfred. Their subsequent article, The Relevance of Tertiary Jazz Education, was published in Dingo’s Edition 3 and included insights from Monash University and Jazz Music Institute. Both magazines are available at news agencies across Australia.
Jake identifies as non-binary and queer, contributing to broader conversations about diversity and representation in the music industry.
Jake's musical journey began in the heart of regional Victoria, where their formative years were marked by the era of dial-up internet and the excitement of discovering new music on LimeWire. However, it was the late-night organ sessions played by their grandmother that truly ignited Jake’s passion for music. At age of 5, Jake immersed themselves in the world of classical piano, demonstrating a natural talent that quickly caught the attention of some of Australia’s most esteemed classical pianists, including Michael Kieran-Harvey and Hoang Pham, who offered their encouragement and support.
Jake’s fascination with sound engineering developed through a mentorship with the renowned sound engineer Brett Van Hoorn. Together, they worked on a wide range of productions, from local community events to large-scale festivals and theatrical performances. This hands-on experience, combined with Jake’s inherent musical talent, solidified their dedication to the craft. Their commitment was further recognised during their time at Newhaven College, where Jake earned a prestigious musical scholarship and completed their VCE studies. Following high school, Jake moved to Melbourne, eager to delve deeper into their musical education at the tertiary level.
Throughout their career, Jake has attributed their deep passion for music to the influence of a remarkable network of mentors, friends, and family. Today, Jake’s artistic practice is a fluid combination of composition, production, and performance, where they continue to break musical boundaries and create unique sonic landscapes.
