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DJ Jazzy Jeff

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Not to be confused with MC Jazzy Jeff.
DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Jazzy Jeff in 2005
DJ Jazzy Jeff in 2005
Background information
Birth nameJeffrey Allen Townes
Also known asJazz
Born (1965-01-22) January 22, 1965 (age 59)
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenresHip hop, R&B
Occupation(s)Record producer, DJ, turntablist
Years active1985–present
Websitewww.djjazzyjeff.com

Jeffrey Allen Townes[1] (born January 22, 1965), also known as DJ Jazzy Jeff or simply Jazz, is an American hip hop and R&B disc jockey, record producer, turntablist and actor who is best known for his early career with Will Smith as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.[2]

Biography

Early life and career beginnings

Jeffrey Allen Townes was born on January 22, 1965, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3] Early on, he developed a reputation and a following as a school and block party DJ. He took the stage name DJ Jazzy Jeff and was one half of the hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince along with Will Smith. The group received the first Grammy 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 the Billboard Hot 100. He also won the world DJ championship in the 1986 New Music Seminar DJ Battle.

Acting

When Smith branched out into television with the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Jazzy Jeff played a recurring character named Jazz, Smith's best friend on the show. In the early seasons, the two characters always greeted each other with their signature handshake (swinging mid-five, point-back, snap with both characters saying "Pssh!"). A recurring joke throughout the show's run involved the character being physically ejected from the house by Uncle Phil (James Avery), using the same footage for comedic effect.

Music

One of the first records Jazzy Jeff ever appeared on was with The Korner Boyz (Street Artz Records) "Bust The Move and The Soga of Roxanne", which featured legendary Philadelphia rapper, MC Parry P and Grand Tone. The Instrumental was called "Jazzy Jeff Scratch" (1985). DJ Jazzy Jeff along with DJ Cash Money is credited with making the transform scratch famous.[citation needed]

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 rap Grammy Award ever presented in 1989 for Parents Just Don't Understand. They also won a second Grammy for Summertime.

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 Soul Child, Eminem, The Roots, Jewel, Darius Rucker, Talib Kweli, Floetry, Rhymefest, and many more. Even though he separated from Will Smith as a music partner, they are still friends, and occasionally work together.

Some songs by Smith were produced by Townes (including "Here He Comes"), 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 the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia. Moreover, Smith acknowledges him in his music such as "Comin' To The Stage" from the album Lost and Found and "Potnas" from his album Willennium.

His 2007 release The Return of the Magnificent featured numerous collaborations with old school and new school artists including CL Smooth, Big Daddy Kane, Pos from De La Soul, Method Man, Peedi Peedi (a remake of Brand New Funk), Rhymefest, and Raheem DeVaughn. In 2007, he appeared with Rhymefest in a video directed by Konee Rok, in which he makes music in his home recording studio with Rhymefest.

In 2008, Townes performed with Smith at the premiere of the latter's 2008 film Hancock.

In 2009, he made a mixtape titled He's the King...I'm the DJ in honor of the late entertainer Michael Jackson. Townes was featured in the video game DJ Hero as a playable character. He also has some original mixes in the game.

In 2010, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mick (formerly known as Mick Boogie) teamed up to release the Summertime mix-tape series. The mixes are released every summer.

In 2013, DJ Jazzy Jeff performed with Will Smith on the Graham Norton Show. Also that same year, DJ Jazzy Jeff released Vinyl Destination, a web series documenting his hundred plus DJ shows from all around the world.

Discography

Solo work as DJ Jazzy Jeff

  • Unreleased album from Sony Records (1998)
  • One cut in Battle of DJs
  • 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)

As DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

Miscellaneous

Personal life

DJ Jazzy Jeff graduated from John Bartram High School in Philadelphia in 1982.[4]

Townes has resided in Wilmington, Delaware since 2004.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 159. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. ^ DJ Jazzy Jeff; Wilder, Chris (2013-03-26). "DJ Jazzy Jeff on the 25th Anniversary of "He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper"". Philadelphia Weekly.
  3. ^ Kellman, Andy. "DJ Jazzy Jeff". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  4. ^ Carter, Kevin L (9 April 1992). "Tuning in to music business: Professionals give some advice to students: Desire, dedication and determination". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. B2.
  5. ^ Draper, Dominick (19 July 2013). "DJ Jazzy Jeff spins (and lives) in the Diamond State". The News-Journal. Wilmington. p. HR13.
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