There are two artists named Jay Perez. 1) The one most often pictured is a Latin pop star Jay Perez. 2) Jay Perez is a hip hop and spoken word artist from San Diego. He is a part of the Freedom Writers collective of progressive artists that met at the University of California, San Diego.

Jay Perez, the Tejano singer, was born in San Antonio and is known as "The Voice." Originally, Jay was a drummer. Then he played for the Latin Breed and became a singer. Don Luis el Tejano was one of their most famous songs and an anthem for the Chicano civil rights movement.

Jay sang for David Lee Garza y los Musicales before starting his own band. Jerry de la Rosa was Jay's keyboard player and musical director up until he was too fragile to tour with the band but continued to serve as a consultant and advisor to Jay.

Up and coming Tejano Recording Artist Chente Berrera was Jay's drummer before starting his own singing career. Jay is known for occasionally doing a country or rhythm and blues song in English although his CD's remain overwhelmingly Spanish.

For example Jay did a version of "Let's Get On," the Marvin Gaye hit and "Me and Mrs. Jones," Billy Paul's greatest hit. "Steel Rain" was the title cut of one of his early CD's and an original country song.

Jay also recorded Billy Vera and The Beaters' "At This Moment" as a Bounus Track on his Live Album.