Jaye toured Europe with jazz guitarist Eric Gale and singers Phyllis Hyman and Jon Lucien before taking over as "Cop" in the Village People in 1982. He stayed with the band for two years before launching his solo career and signing to Teddy Pendergrass' production company Top Priority Records. He released his debut album, Miles, on Island Records, and the song "Let's Start Love Over," written by Micheal Claxton was released as a single and rose to No. 5 on the Billboard R&B chart in late 1987. Its follow-up, "I've Been a Fool For You," a Jaye original, was also a top ten R&B hit and has become a soul classic. Jaye also contributed, as musician, songwriter and co-producer, to Pendergrass' hit 1988 album, Joy.