Jay Anderson (born October 24, 1955) is an American jazz double-bassist and studio musician.

Anderson received a bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach in 1978, then worked with Woody Herman (1978-1979), Carmen McRae (1979-1981), and a quartet led by Ira Sullivan and Red Rodney (1981-1986).

Anderson remained with Rodney through 1992, also working with Michael Brecker during this time, and played with Toots Thielemans and Joe Sample for much of the 1990s.

As a sideman, he played with Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Eliane Elias, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Bennie Wallace, Brian Lynch, Bob Belden, Warren Bernhardt, Joey Calderazzo, Dave Stryker, Mike Stern, Chaka Khan, Terumasa Hino, Michel Legrand, Tiger Okoshi, Lynne Arriale, Bob Mintzer, George Cables, Paul Bley, Frank Zappa, Tom Waits, Dr. John, Rich Perry, Vic Juris, and Lee Konitz.

With Lynne Arriale With Bob Belden With Warren Bernhardt With Paul Bley With George Cables With Stanley Cowell With Harold Danko With Michael Davis With Michael Franks With Vic Juris With Frank Kimbrough With Lee Konitz With Andy LaVerne With Bob Mintzer With Rich Perry With Red Rodney With Joe Sample With Maria Schneider With Louis Smith With Mark Soskin With Dave Stryker With Frank Zappa With others