DJ Jazzy Jeff

DJ Jazzy Jeff (born Jeffrey A. Townes on January 22, 1965 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American hip-hop DJ/turntablist and hip-hop/R&B record producer. He is best known for his early career with Will Smith as half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.

Together, the duo had several platinum-selling albums and singles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, earning them the first rap Grammy ever presented in 1989 for Parents Just Don't Understand. When Smith branched out into television with the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Jazzy Jeff played the popular recurring character "Jazz", whose trademark was to be physically kicked out of the house by Will's Uncle Phil (James Avery).

After DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince broke up, Townes went on to become a prominent R&B, soul, and neo soul record producer, establishing the A Touch of Jazz production company in his native Philadelphia. Among the artists that Jazzy Jeff has helped develop are Jill Scott and Musiq.

He is also credited for creating the "chirp scratch". (See: Scratching)

On July 2 2005, DJ Jazzy Jeff performed with Will Smith at the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia.

Partial discography

Solo work as DJ Jazzy Jeff

• One cut in Battle of DJs
• The Magnificent (2002)
• "Soulheaven Presents Jazzy Jeff In the House" (2004)
• "The Soul Mixtape" Groovin' Records USA (2005)
• "Hip-Hop Forever II" Rapster Records (2004)

As DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

• Rock the House (1987) #83 US
• He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (1988) #4 US
• And in this Corner... (1989) #39 US
• Homebase (1991) #12 US
• Code Red (1993) #64 US
• Greatest Hits (1998) (including material from Will Smith's solo career) #144 US, #20 UK