Barely 19 years of age, he left the University of Rochester after two years for his first major club date, and changed his name from Jonas Levy to Jay Jason (sometimes in the media his last name was spelled Jayson). It was a common practice in those days for Jewish entertainers to change their names, to be more accepted. He performed throughout the Midwest during the 1930's. During World War Two, he entertained for the USO,and during one show, he performed in front of hundreds of Hollywood and night club personalities including Red Skelton and Mickey Rooney.
