Jeffrey Allen Townes (born January 22, 1965), known professionally asDJ Jazzy Jeff (or simplyJazz), is an AmericanDJ and producer. He was one half of theHip-hop duoDJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, along withWill Smith.[3] He is credited, along withDJ Spinbad andDJ Cash Money, with popularizing thetransformer scratch.[4]
DJ Jazzy Jeff | |
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 DJ Jazzy Jeff in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jeffrey Allen Townes[1] |
| Also known as |
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| Born | (1965-01-22)January 22, 1965 (age 60) Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1985–present[2] |
| Labels |
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| Formerly of | |
| Website | djjazzyjeff |
Early life and initial career
editTownes was born on January 22, 1965, inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania.[5] Raised in the area, Townes developed a reputation and a following as a local school andblock partyDJ.
He was ten years old when he first became interested in being a DJ. He told authorPaul Stenning, "At summer time block parties I wouldn't be the one dancing, I sat where the DJ was set up, watching him. Even when I would go to other block parties in other neighborhoods I was still infatuated with the DJ. He was the guy that played music that everyone in the neighborhood loved. You might not have known his face, you might not have known his name but he was the guy that made everyone move."[6]
He took the stage name DJ Jazzy Jeff. He was one half of the duoDJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, along withWill Smith. The group received the firstGrammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989 for "Parents Just Don't Understand", though their most successful single was "Summertime" which earned the group their second Grammy and peaked at number 4 on theBillboard Hot 100.
Career
editActing
edit
When Smith branched out into television with the sitcomThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Jazzy Jeff played a character named Jazz, Smith's best friend on the show.[7] Jazzy Jeff was initially a recurring character in the first season, but became a regular shortly thereafter. In the early seasons, the two characters always greeted each other with their signature handshake (swingingmid-five, point-back, snap with both characters saying "Pssh!"). A running joke throughout the show's run involved the character being physically ejected from the house by Uncle Phil (James Avery), most often using the same footage for comedic effect, but sometimes filming new footage instead. Jazz had an unrequited crush on Hillary Banks (played byKaryn Parsons).
Music
editOne of the first records DJ Jazzy Jeff ever appeared on was with the Korner Boyz (Street Artz Records) and their songs "Bust the Move" and "The Saga of Roxanne", which featured legendary Philadelphia rappers MC Parry P and Grand Tone. The instrumental was called "Jazzy Jeff Scratch" (1985).
As a duo,DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince had several gold and platinum-selling albums and singles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, earning them the first rapGrammy Award ever presented in 1989 for "Parents Just Don't Understand".[8]
At the time of winning the Grammy Award, DJ Jazzy Jeff came home crying as he had just $500 in the bank.[9]
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince also won a second Grammy for "Summertime".[10]
After DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince broke up, Townes went on to become a prominentR&B,soul, andneo soul record producer and actor, establishing the A Touch of Jazz production company in his native Philadelphia. Among the artists that Jazzy Jeff has helped develop areEric Roberson,Jill Scott,Musiq Soulchild,Eminem,the Roots,Raheem DeVaughn,Darius Rucker,Talib Kweli,Floetry,Rhymefest, and many more. Despite separating fromWill Smith as a music partner, they remain close friends and occasionally work together.[11]
Some songs by Smith were produced by Townes, and he has performed on some songs by Smith such as "So Fresh" and "Potnas". In addition, he appeared in several of Smith's music videos such as "Will2K" and "Freakin' It". On some occasions, he made appearances with Smith at live concerts, producing DJ scratches. On July 2, 2005, DJ Jazzy Jeff performed with Smith at theLive 8 concert in Philadelphia. Moreover, Smith acknowledges him in his music such as "Comin' to the Stage" from the albumLost and Found and "Potnas" from his albumWillennium.
His 2007 releaseThe Return of the Magnificent featured numerous collaborations with old school and new school artists includingCL Smooth,Big Daddy Kane,Pos fromDe La Soul,Method Man,Peedi Peedi (a remake of "Brand New Funk"),Rhymefest, andRaheem DeVaughn. In 2007, he appeared with Rhymefest in a video directed byKonee Rok, in which he makes music in his home recording studio with Rhymefest.[12]
In 2008, Townes performed with Smith at the premiere of the latter's 2008 filmHancock.[13]
In 2009, he made a mixtape titledHe's the King...I'm the DJ in honor of the late entertainerMichael Jackson. Townes was featured in the video gameDJ Hero as a playable character. He also has some original mixes in the game.[14]
In 2010, DJ Jazzy Jeff andMick (formerly known as Mick Boogie) teamed up to release theSummertime: The Mixtape series. The mixes are released every summer.[15]
In 2013, DJ Jazzy Jeff performed with Will Smith onThe Graham Norton Show.[16] Also that same year, DJ Jazzy Jeff releasedVinyl Destination,[17] a web series documenting his hundred plus DJ shows from all around the world. He also appeared as the lead interview inPaul Stenning's bookSuccess – By Those Who've Made It.[18]
In 2015, he performed the scratch overdubs for the filmStraight Outta Compton.[19]
In August 2017, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith performed two shows in Europe: MTV Summerblast Music Festival inCroatia and the Livewire Festival inBlackpool.[20]
In 2024, he went on tour withNew Kids on the Block as a supporting act, alongsidePaula Abdul, onThe Magic Summer Tour (2024).[21]
In 2025, DJ Jazzy Jeff was announced as one of the remixers for the2026 FIFA World Cup theme, representingPhiladelphia.[22]
Personal life
editDJ Jazzy Jeff married Lynette C. Jackson inJamaica on July 31, 2010.[23]He has four children: two sons from a previous relationship, Cory Townes, who is also a DJ and actor/musicianAmir Mitchell-Townes, and a son (Pleasant) and daughter (August) with Jackson.[24][25]
Discography
editSolo work as DJ Jazzy Jeff
edit- Unreleased album fromSony Records (1998)
- One cut inBattle of DJs
- The Magnificent EP (2002)
- The Magnificent (2002)
- Soulheaven Presents Jazzy Jeff in the House (2004)
- Hip-Hop Forever II (Rapster Records) (2004)
- The Soul Mixtape (Groovin' Records USA) (2005)
- Hip-Hop Forever III (BBE Records) (2006)
- The Return of The Magnificent EP (2007)
- The Return of the Magnificent (2007) #55 US (Gold)
- The Return of Hip Hop EP (2007)
- House of Tribes (T's Box) (2009)
- My Faves Volume 1 (mixtape) (2009)
- DJ Jazzy Jeff presents: Jeff's in the House Vol. 1 (mixtape) (2010)
- What Happens in Vegas (mixtape) (2011)
- LRG Life Colors (mixtape) (2012)
- M3 (album) (2018)
As DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
edit- Rock the House (1987) #83 US (Gold); #97UK
- He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (1988) #4 US (3× Platinum); #68 UK
- And in This Corner… (1989) #39 US (Gold)
- Homebase (1991) #12 US (Platinum); #69 UK
- Code Red (1993) #64 US (Gold); #50 UK
- Greatest Hits (1998) #144 US, #20 UK
- Before The Willennium (1999)
- The Very Best of D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (2006)[1]
Miscellaneous
edit- 1991: "Work It Out" withMonie Love from the soundtrackBoyz n the Hood
- 1991: "Deep, Deep, Trouble" (withThe Simpsons) and the remixes fromThe Simpsons Sing the Blues
- 1997: "Jazzy Jeff's Theme" (from the albumNuyorican Soul)
- 1998: "When to Stand Up" (featuringEminem)
- 1998: "I Don't Know" –Slum Village (scratches; from the albumFantastic, Vol. 2)
- 1999: "The Next Movement" –The Roots (scratches; from the albumThings Fall Apart)
- 2004: "Mirrorball (DJ Jazzy Jeff Full Sole Remix)" (byEverything but the Girl; from the albumAdapt or Die: 10 Years of Remixes)
- 2005: "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone (DJ Jazzy Jeff & Pete Kuzma Solefull Mix)" (bythe Temptations; fromMotown Remixed)
- 2005:Lost & Found (byWill Smith; produced the intro song "Here He Comes" and several DJ scratches on several tracks)
- 2005: "Watch Me" –Little Brother (scratches; from the albumThe Minstrel Show)
- 2006: "Feel It (Jazzy Jeff Soulful Remix)" (byThe Black Eyed Peas; fromRenegotiations: The Remixes)
- 2006: "Night in Tunisia (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)" (byDuke Jordan)
- 2006: "Foot in the Door" –Oddisee (mixed by DJ Jazzy Jeff)
- 2007: "NY Weather Report" –Talib Kweli (scratches; from the albumEardrum)
- 2007: "A Long Walk" –Jill Scott (made a cameo appearance in the music video)
- 2008: "Get Busy" –The Roots (scratches; from the albumRising Down)
- 2008: "Bring It Back" –Rhymefest (producer; from the albumEl Che)
- 2009: "Prince in Training" – MaC Renegade (hosted by DJ Jazzy Jeff)
- 2009: "Stay This Way (Jazzy Jeff Remix)" – byPeter Bjorn and John (featuringBig Pooh,Chaundon, and Phil Nash from the mixtapeRe-Living Thing withMick Boogie)
- 2010:Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 1 – DJ Jazzy Jeff &MICK
- 2011:Back for More – DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ayah
- 2011:Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 2 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK
- 2011: "Shorti Bomb" – DJ Sat-One (withChief Kamachi and DJ Jazzy Jeff)
- 2011: "No Strings (DJ Jazzy Jeff Roller Boogie Remix)" –Mayer Hawthorne
- 2012:Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 3 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK
- 2012: "92 Til Infinity" –Mac Miller
- 2012: "Girl of My Life" –Mint Condition (scratches; from the albumMusic @ the Speed of Life)
- 2013:Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 4 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK
- 2013: "Classic" –Shad (co-production withSkratch Bastid; from the EPThe Spring Up)
- 2013: "Red Hot Flo (From Kokomo) (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)" – fromBoardwalk Empire
- 2013: "Be Free (DJ Jazzy Jeff &James Poyser Remix" – Moonchild
- 2014:Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 5 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK
- 2014: "World is Our Playground (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)" –DJ Vice
- 2014: "We Are One (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)" –Terry Hunter (featuring Jay Adams)
- 2014: "Room Test" – Dayne Jordan (producer)
- 2014: "All About the Art" – Dayne Jordan andJames Poyser (producer)
- 2014: "I Want It All" – Dayne Jordan (producer)
- 2014: "Play Dat!" – DJ Jazzy Jeff featuring Dayne Jordan
- 2014: "Lost" – Dayne Jordan (producer)
- 2014: "Fellow" – Dayne Jordan (producer)
- 2015:Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 6 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK
- 2016:Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 7 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK
- 2017: "Chasing Goosebumps" – The PLAYlist (executive producer)
- 2017:Summertime: The Mixtape Vol. 8 – DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK
- 2020: "Gotta Be Dope" R.A. The Rugged Man feat. A-F-R-O and DJ Jazzy Jeff
References
edit- ^abRoberts, David (2006).British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 159.ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^Steve Huey."DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince".AllMusic. RetrievedSeptember 26, 2019.
- ^DJ Jazzy Jeff; Wilder, Chris (March 26, 2013)."DJ Jazzy Jeff on the 25th Anniversary of "He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper"".Philadelphia Weekly. Archived fromthe original on August 31, 2013.
- ^"The Art of Turntablism".PBS.
DJs Spinbad, Cash Money and Jazzy Jeff transformed turntablism by inventing the 'Transformer scratch' – so named for the sound it created which echoed the popular 1980s cartoon. This technique of flicking the cross fader back and forth on the mixer whilst simultaneously scratching gave a greater tonal range and allowed DJs to experiment with the rhythmic qualities.
- ^Kellman, Andy."DJ Jazzy Jeff".Allmusic. RetrievedJanuary 13, 2009.
- ^Stenning, Paul (November 24, 2013).Success – By Those Who've Made It. In Flight Books. p. 15.ISBN 978-1-62847-586-9.
- ^"A Slap Could Sting the Smith Family Brand".NY Times. April 2, 2022.
- ^Zonyeé, Dominique (July 25, 2014)."DJ Jazzy Jeff Speaks on Winning Hip Hop's First Grammy".BET. RetrievedJanuary 26, 2016.
- ^Stenning, Paul (November 24, 2013).Success – By Those Who've Made It. In Flight Books. p. 14.ISBN 978-1-62847-586-9.
- ^Alonso, Bogar (July 23, 2013)."Songs of Summer: DJ Jazzy Jeff On 'Summertime' & Why Will Smith Misses Rapping".Biography.com. Archived fromthe original on February 1, 2016. RetrievedJanuary 26, 2016.
- ^Hancock, Jumira (December 11, 2023)."Catch legendary hip-hop duo Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff at MDLBeast SoundStorm 2023".What's On Saudi Arabia. RetrievedOctober 10, 2024.
- ^Conteh, Mankaprr (October 4, 2024)."These Days, Everyone's a DJ - But the Best Are at Jazzy Jeff's House".Rolling Stone. RetrievedOctober 10, 2024.
- ^Huver, Scott; Park, Michael Y. (July 1, 2008)."Will Smith & DJ Jazzy Jeff Reunite for Hancock Premiere".People Magazine. Archived fromthe original on February 23, 2016. RetrievedJanuary 26, 2016.
- ^Chester, Nick (July 27, 2009)."DJ Jazzy Jeff gets fresh with DJ Hero".Destructoid. RetrievedJanuary 26, 2016.
- ^"Summertime".summertime.fm. Archived fromthe original on March 26, 2016. RetrievedJune 15, 2018.
- ^"Fresh Prince pals Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Carlton reunite on Graham Norton Show".Metro UK. May 25, 2013. RetrievedJanuary 26, 2016.
- ^DJ Jazzy Jeff (April 27, 2013)."Vinyl Destination".www.djjazzyjeff.com. Archived fromthe original on March 31, 2016. RetrievedJanuary 24, 2017.
- ^Stenning, Paul (November 24, 2013).Success – By Those Who've Made It. In Flight Books. pp. 13–22.ISBN 978-1-62847-586-9.
- ^Brown, Eric Renner (October 7, 2015)."DJ Jazzy Jeff on possible reunion with Will Smith: 'The time is right on so many different levels'".Entertainment Weekly. RetrievedJanuary 26, 2016.
- ^"EXCLUSIVE: Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff Reunite! How LL Cool J Got Them Back Together Onstage". Archived fromthe original on June 15, 2018. RetrievedJune 15, 2018.
- ^"NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK ANNOUNCE THE MAGIC SUMMER 2024 TOUR".livenation.com. October 30, 2023. RetrievedJune 15, 2024.
- ^"Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Sonic IDs celebrate diversity and creativity of Host Cities".inside.fifa.com.
- ^"DJ Jazzy Jeff Speaks On Getting Hitched, Advice From Will Smith".Vibe. August 23, 2010.
- ^Townes, Cory (July 22, 2016)."He's the (Famous) DJ, I'm the Son".EBONY.
- ^Hunter, Chris (January 7, 2019)."Cory Townes Speaks on Journalism Inspirations, Landing His First Major Writing Gig, Being a Popular Figure for Today's Social Climate and more". Archived fromthe original on September 22, 2019. RetrievedSeptember 22, 2019.
External links
edit
- Official website
- DJ Jazzy Jeff discography atDiscogs
- DJ Jazzy Jeff atIMDb