Artists

Jazzy Jeff

Since his first single in 1986 Jazzy Jeff has been a household name among Hip Hop fans. Alongside partner Will "The Fresh Prince" Smith, he's sold over 14 million records, won 2 Grammies, invented the chirp and was the first to transform on wax.

Jeff's DJing career started when he was 10 years old in Philadelphia, playing parties for family and friends; by high school it was block parties and ballrooms which enabled him to make contacts with various Hip Hop crews around the city. A chance meeting in 1985 paired him with Will Smith on the mic, and the two hit it off instantly. The next year, they had a single on the charts, Jeff had won the DMC New Music Seminar and Jive/Zomba were looking at buying their contract.

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's debut album Rock The House was released in 1987 and went gold. It also contained the first transform scratches captured on record as well as Jeff's own invention, the chirp.

Two increasingly successful albums later, and Jeff was designing the first scratch mixer for Gemini. Jeff founded his own production house A Touch of Jazz in 1990, which has had great success with artists like Jill Scott, as well as hits for Will and Jeff's solo careers.

His first solo album The Magnificent was released in August 2002. The album featured Jeff's trademark scratches and a variety of emcees and artists who were working at A Touch of Jazz. The album contained hip-hop, soul and house tracks that displayed Jeff's versatility as an artist and producer. The album proved a success for the independent label BBE from the UK.

In 2005 Jeff continued his 20-year collaboration with Will Smith working on Will's fourth solo release Lost & Found The album features production and scratches from Jazzy Jeff. Jeff & Will have also been back performing together again at various shows and premieres. Jeff also began working on his second solo album, The Return of the Magnificent.

Jazzy Jeff continues to represent the DJ throughout his records, mix tapes, and live shows.

"This has changed my life as a DJ... I used it on my In the House CD and every gig n record I've made since I've got it..."

Download a video interview with Jazzy Jeff
Remix Hotel Miami, 2006 http://scratchlive.net/downloads/files/678/Jazzy+Jeff+on+Serato.AVI [20MB]

For more info on Jazzy Jeff, visit his website at:
www.djjazzyjeff.com