Kay has been manufacturing musical instruments for both students and professional musicians since 1890, in it’s various incarnations. The company got it’s name from Henry Kuhrmeyer (1894-1956), whose nickname was “Kay”.

Kuhrmeyer and his wife moved to Chicago in 1920, and invested in the Stromberg-Voisinet Instrument Company. He attracted several talented luthiers to the company, and it thrived. He gradually assumed control of Stronmberg-Voisinet and it became the Kay Musical Company in 1935.

Sidney Katz bought Kuhrmeyer out in 1955. At this time, Kay’s ambition was to dominate the “value” market, and the Value Leader range spearheaded this. Jazzman Lonnie Johnson played the instrument.