Julius Glenn Street III, known to friends and family as Jay, died from complications of Covid pneumonia on September 9, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was born on May 1, 1949 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Jay was a gifted musician beginning band performances in the fourth grade. He began mastering the saxophone and later added guitar, keyboard and flute to his skill set. Jay was a graduate of East Atlanta High School. He studied at Georgia State University and Music Business Institute.
Jay performed widely with many bands over the years including The Fabulous Us, Micropolis, Seventh Circle, The Proof, Licorice Phonebooth, Osmosis, Loose Ties and Diggerfoot. Jay performed internationally and was well a known studio musician. He was a self described “Professional Road Warrior” for some years before moving to North Carolina where he continued his career as a music instructor with Bella Music and Progressive Music. In his more than 20 years of teaching saxophone, keyboard and guitar, Jay touched many lives, enriching the lives of students of all ages with his skill, depth of knowledge and enthusiasm.
Jay’s sense of humor, spiritually inquiring mind and deeply caring heart will be remembered by all who knew him.
Jay is survived by his loving wife, Betsy Shinbara Street, his sister, Ann Street Higdon, cousins Patricia Northcutt, Carolyn Thigpen and Margaret Thigpen and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held in the chapel at All Saints’ Episcopal Church located at 634 West Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30308. The service will be held on Thursday October 10 at 11:00 with a reception following the service. For those unable to attend the service will be live-streamed at www.allsaintsatlanta.org.
In honor of Jay’s memory contributions may be made to Samaritans Purse at samaratinspurse.org.
Condolences & memories
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Joseph Hough
September 24, 2024
I’m shocked and saddened! Jay was a great man! I took piano lessons from him for about 4 years at Progressive Music Center! He had a great sense of humor and a colossal heart! I will miss him greatly! I send my prayers to his wife Betsy and the rest of the family!
Cheryl Barge Gregg
September 25, 2024
Jay has been my friend since grammar school and there are too many memories to recount. He took me to the Southeastern Fair in seventh grade and we walked together at graduation from East Atlanta High School where he picked me up and ran out of the auditorium. We continued our friendship and got into much mischief for many years after that. The Fabulous Us practiced in my kitchen and I bought many of the 45s for The Licorice Phonebooth to learn and was at every show. He was such a kind and loving person and I will so miss our conversations about anything and everything. His sense of humor and non judgemental love towards me will always be in my heart. I loved him dearly and will miss him terribly. My heartfelt condolences to Betsy, Ann and all those who knew and loved him.
Cheryl Barge Gregg
September 25, 2024
Planted 1 memorial tree
Because Jay will never be truly gone as long as he is in the hearts of those who loved him.
Jerry Brooks
September 25, 2024
I played with Jay in a band in 1973 called Micropolis. He was a fantastic musician! We played in other groups but Micropolis was the best. Besides being a great keyboard player Jay was very good on saxophone, vocals and a very talented arranger.
David Rodé
September 25, 2024
Lit a candle
Jay was a fabulous musician, wonderful guy with a unique sense of humor. We played together in the early/mis ‘70s. He will be missed by many. Prayers, love & sympathy to Jay’s family, friends and fans.
Jay was a fabulous musician, wonderful guy with a unique sense of humor. We played together in the early/mis ‘70s. He will be missed by many. Prayers, love & sympathy to Jay’s family, friends and fans. · Shared by David Rodé
Gina
September 26, 2024
Jay was a wonderful colleague to work alongside at Progressive Music. This news of his passing shook me A LOT. I remember from day one when I started teaching at Progressive his long list of students, and it shows why. Always attentive and cared about each one of them, but the one thing that stood out for me the most was his kindness and ability to poke fun at laugh's challenges. Jay made me laugh and basically found a variety of ways to remind me not to take life too seriously. I consider Jay a mentor not just in music, but with life and talks of spirituality. We would dabble in banter every now and then on "the meaning of life" and boy does this hit home now more than ever. Jay made this life a bit brighter, and I am praying for all of the live's he touched while here. Rest in peace brother, and keep jamming where you are! You will be missed on the daily.
Sherry Hamlett Childs
September 28, 2024
I met Jay in 1968, I went to Southwest DeKalb with Bob Giannoni (RIP sweet Bob). Bob played Bass for LP Booth, as our little tight knit group of Liquorish Phone Booth members/followers/girlfriends called the group.
The night I met Jay changed a lot of things in my life, some good, some bad; but throughout all these years one thing has remained true, that's our very special friendship that survived all these years.
Jay was a little wild back in the day, we all were...maybe that's what kept us all together in our tight knit little group. As Jay "grew up", he became a different person in some ways, most often he was always the same; he was a caring, giving, loving, quick whitted, extremely talented musician; and one of my dearest friends for 56 years. I'm already missing those YouTube songs he would often send me, mostly songs from the LP Booth days, others just a lot of things that let us recall our memories of those good old days. Good old days..... maybe not all of them were good, but for the most part, it was a time of my life I will never forget or regret!! We had a blast in 1968 (I remember everything and nothing!!) I think there are three of us remaining from our original little group; Cheryl (Barge) Gregg, Pat Gregg, and me. LP Booth must be jamming somewhere, Stevie Ray Vaughan is probably filling in for Pat until he, like the rest of us, are called from this Earth.
Jay was always so kindhearted; he became even more so over the years. He loved teaching music, loved playing music, loved life, his wife Betsy, his friends and family. He cared so much for others, gave all he had to give of himself for as long as I can remember.
Life has not been the same over the past month, I haven't received any YouTube tunes or text messages from Jay, but I keep checking my messages and can't seem to break the habit; I suppose that will change with time.
Fly on my dearest Jay, I pray I see you again one day. I am so glad I had you in my life my dear friend, you made a difference for me in many ways that only the two of us will ever know.
Pat Gregg
October 7, 2024
I was in band called The Licorice Phone booth back in '69 and'70.We had many good times playing and singing harmony.Jay was a very talented musician and we became like brothers.I truly miss him as l'm sure so many do.My sympathy goes out to family.
Italo
October 31, 2024
Jay Street was an amazing person. He was hilarious and so fun to be around. He always remembered his friends around the holidays and made it a point to reach out to everyone to check-in. He cared a lot about his music students and treated everyone in his life like a dear friend. I hope he knew how much he was loved, he truly made everyone’s life brighter. That’s the kind of guy Jay Street was.
Scott richardson
November 19, 2024
Jay and i became friends in ms.meadows 3rd grade at john b gordon school, and met several times later as musicians in seperate bands..we always laughed as we rekindled our close, fun friendships as little kids, we never lost that. I am sad but will meet you again j.g.
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