Jay Roberts

Jay Roberts is an educator, guitarist, and founder of the Roberts Music Institute in Seattle, Washington, whose career has been deeply rooted in music education from an early age. The son of renowned guitarist and Musicians Institute founder Howard Roberts, Jay was surrounded by instruments throughout his childhood and attended his first NAMM Show in 1976. Initially drawn to the drums — encouraged by his mother, a professional drummer — he began teaching at just fourteen, demonstrating an early commitment to helping others learn music. After witnessing guitarist Vinnie Colaiuta perform at a NAMM Show, Jay felt inspired to focus seriously on the guitar, ultimately shaping his professional path. Working closely with his father for many years, he helped develop an innovative teaching method that used color-coded guitar strings to enable beginners to play songs quickly, even manufacturing instruments specifically for the approach. In 2004, Jay founded the Roberts Music Institute with a performance-centered philosophy. He later produced a documentary honoring his father’s legacy and organized a tribute concert during the 2013 NAMM Show, celebrating Howard’s enduring influence on generations of musicians.