The Genius of Jimmy Fay

Many names come to mind when you think of the iconic Chico band Spark ‘n Cinder, but Jimmy Fay is the name at the top of the list. As Jimmy says, “If the band was a steam locomotive, I shoveled more coal than anyone else.” The line-up of musicians from the band is formidable and lengthy, with many members coming and going, some briefly and some playing for years, but Jimmy Fay has been there through every iteration.

Jimmy started on the piano at nine years old in New Jersey and shifted his focus to drums at ten, where one snare drum soon gave way to myriad additions. Eventually, he was performing in bars with his brother’s band around the Union City and Jersey City locales where he had the experience of playing with a group of Cuban musicians. He learned the Caribbean beat during those jam sessions and later incorporated it into Spark ‘n Cinder.

Jimmy also played with black musicians in the area, and he practiced across town for four years in their neighborhoods. In 1967, civil rights riots occurred in the area and suddenly the police were out on patrol. “I’d been going over there to practice for years. One day the cops showed up and stopped me outside. The four of them kicked my ass, and I thought I was going to die. It was crazy.” One group he played with is still together, The Royal Counts. Jimmy sums that time up in New Jersey, “That’s cuttin’ your teeth playin’ in those places. That’s a tough gig!”

A few years later, Fay ended up in Chico with some other New Jersey musicians. He soon found himself playing in Jack Straw, a local band, and then in the East West Transcendental Spark and Cinder Band. That was soon shortened to Spark ‘n Cinder, and the rest is 37 years of history. Jimmy has played with other bands over the years including Supa Nova, Mother Hips, Black Uhuru, and more recently the Pub Scouts and Dylan’s Dharma.

Local percussionist Michael Tonetti— whose friendship with Spark ‘n Cinder goes back to the beginning—said, “Jimmy is a genius. He’s just one of the best musicians around. Drums or mandolin— when he puts down a track, he never has to do another take.” Jimmy’s next project, with engineer Brian Asher, is tentatively titled The Artist Formerly Known as Spark ‘n Cinder—a definite Jimmy Fay idea.

Fay credits his children, Casey and Nikki, with keeping him grounded and in Chico all these years. “I’m lucky to have those kids,” he said. “They’ve been a big part of my life.”