Jay NuFunk is a concert promoter, musician, DJ, and lifelong music collector whose eclectic, carefully curated sets have earned him a reputation as one of Canada’s most adventurous selectors. Drawing inspiration from years of crate digging and musical travels across the globe, he creates exhilarating dance floor journeys that effortlessly weave together deep house, dub reggae, funky breaks, disco, soul, afrobeat, Latin rhythms, jazz, and global grooves. Every performance is thoughtfully crafted to surprise audiences while keeping the energy high and the dance floor packed.
As the founder of NuFunk Concerts, co-founder of The Make It Funky Collective, and Artistic Director of Groovin’ in the Park Festival, Jay has spent more than two decades connecting audiences with groundbreaking artists from around the world. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside legendary performers including Mixmaster Mike, Grandmaster Flash, Stephen Marley, Skratch Bastid, Z-Trip, Bonobo, DJ Shadow, DJ Nu-Mark, DJ Qbert, Fort Knox Five, Krafty Kuts, A.Skillz, and countless others. His performances have taken him across Canada, to New York City’s Statue of Liberty, and to Jamaica’s Shub Out Festival.
Jay also spent several years as part of Brooklyn’s celebrated No Wahala DJs, where he and partner DJ Chibuikem hosted the legendary monthly UNWIND parties. Known for their marathon seven-hour sessions, UNWIND became one of Brooklyn’s premier dance nights by seamlessly blending reggae, dub, afrobeat, African pop, hip-hop, funk, soul, breaks, and house into an unforgettable musical experience. As members of No Wahala DJs, they performed at renowned venues including Brooklyn Bowl, Bowery Electric, Brooklyn Bazaar, and shared stages with artists such as UB40, Snoop Lion, Soulive, Tortured Soul, John Brown’s Body, Easy Star All-Stars, Fishbone, and Dub FX.
Beyond the turntables, Jay is an accomplished guitarist who has performed across Canada with afrobeat outfit High Plains Drifter, reggae bands Reggaddiction, House of David Gang, and Irie Band, while also playing throughout the northeastern United States with New York electro-soul group FutureType and reggae act Royal Khaos.
Whether behind the decks or producing festivals, Jay NuFunk is driven by one goal: bringing people together through exceptional music. His globally inspired selections, impeccable programming, and infectious energy transform every set into a memorable celebration of rhythm, culture, and connection.