What do you call a man who has helped shape the way the world listens to music, interacts online, and embraces new technology—yet also finds solace in watercolor brushes and the quiet beauty of Sun City? That man is Jay Samit, a resident of our very own community and the featured artist at this year’s Arts & Crafts Fall Sale coming up in November.
Samit’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Born with insatiable curiosity, he quickly set himself apart as a digital pioneer. After graduating from UCLA, he founded Jasmine Multimedia Publishing, where his groundbreaking work in interactive media led to the first video ever played on a PC. Long before “streaming” became part of our everyday vocabulary, Jay was imagining ways to merge technology and entertainment into new experiences. His projects ranged from video games to interactive titles with some of the biggest names in music—Aerosmith, Metallica, Nirvana, and Van Halen among them.
His success at Jasmine opened the door to even greater influence. At EMI, Samit rose to become Global President of Digital Distribution, spearheading a revolution that forever changed the music industry. Under his leadership, EMI became the first record label to release a digital album (David Bowie’s Hours), the first to earn a Grammy for a digital release (Lenny Kravitz’s Dig In), and the first to bring The Beatles into the digital era. In an industry hesitant to embrace change, Samit stood firm. “My job,” he famously said, “is to make buying music easier than stealing it.” His forward-thinking strategy quadrupled EMI’s stock price and made history.
From EMI, Samit’s career expanded even further. At Sony, he bridged the gap between engineers in Tokyo and music executives in the U.S., launching Sony Connect and producing more than 350 exclusive concerts and in-studio sessions with artists like Sheryl Crow, John Legend, and Kelly Clarkson. Later, he served as CEO for companies like SocialVibe, ooVoo, and SeaChange International, each time leaving his mark by finding ways to connect people through technology. Along the way, he earned a reputation as a “guru for the entire industry” (Variety) and a man with “the coolest job in the industry” (Wired).
Yet despite his global influence, Samit’s story isn’t only about boardrooms, technology, or industry accolades. It’s also about reinvention. As an author, his books “Disrupt You!” and “Future Proofing You” have inspired entrepreneurs worldwide to embrace change and seize opportunity. As a thinker, his articles have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review. And as an artist, he has found a deeply personal outlet for his ideas.
The Art of Reflection
Our Sun City Insider team recently had the privilege to walk through Jay Samit’s art studio, surrounded by vibrant watercolors—a notoriously unforgiving medium. At first glance, many of his pieces appear cheerful or even familiar. But take a closer look, and layers of deeper meaning emerge. Jay explained, “It is like meditation for me.” When he feels overwhelmed by the weight of current events or the enduring heartache of America’s history, painting becomes his way to process those emotions.
His art also reflects on the paradox of modern life: how technology has made us more connected than ever, yet often more disconnected on a human level. Through bold colors and careful detail, he captures the spirit of humanity—its resilience, fragility, and depth. Viewers are invited not just to admire his technique but to feel the emotions behind it, to pause and reflect alongside him.
Samit channels these thoughts and feelings into his paintings as a form of therapy and as a bridge to connect with others. His ability to infuse such personal reflection into universal themes makes his work not just visually striking but deeply evocative.
See It for Yourself
That makes his upcoming feature at the Sun City Arts & Crafts Fall Sale all the more exciting. Residents will not only get to admire his vibrant, thought-provoking watercolors but also to meet a neighbor who has helped shape the digital age, and continues to share his creativity here at home. His presence reminds us that innovation doesn’t end with technology—it lives in how we tell our stories, build community, and create meaning in a changing world.
Jay Samit has lived many lives: entrepreneur, executive, author, teacher, and artist. Yet here in Sun City, he is also simply a neighbor, one who shares his gifts generously. As the Arts & Crafts Fall Sale approaches, we invite you to experience the art of reinvention through his eyes—a rare chance to see firsthand how disruption can lead not to chaos, but to beauty.
Mark your Calendars!
Join us Friday and Saturday, November 21–22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mountain View Clubhouse, 38180 Del Webb Blvd, Palm Desert. Admission is free, parking is free, and the public is welcome—so bring your friends and discover the artwork of Jay Samit alongside many other talented artists in our Del Webb communities!
