DJ Jazzy Jeff

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DJ Jazzy Jeff
Dj jazzy jeff-mika.jpg
DJ Jazzy Jeff in Hamburg, Germany in March 2002.
Background information
Birth name Jeffrey Allen Townes
Born (1965-01-22) January 22, 1965 (age 48)
Origin Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres Hip hop, R&B
Occupations Record producer, DJ
Years active 1985–Present
Associated acts DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Will Smith,
Website www.djjazzyjeff.com

Jeffrey Allen Townes[1] (born January 22, 1965), also known as DJ Jazzy Jeff or simply Jazz, is an American hip hop, R&B disc jockey, record producer, turntablist and actor. He is best known for his early career with Will Smith as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. DJ Jazzy Jeff attended John Bartram High School in Philadelphia, where he is enshrined in the school's "Wall of Fame."[citation needed]

Contents

Biography [edit]

Early life and career beginnings [edit]

Jeffrey Allen Townes was born on January 22, 1965, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[2] Jeffrey was raised in a home by his mother and father. Once Townes grew up, 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. He also won the world DJ championship in the 1986 New Music Seminar DJ Battle.

Acting [edit]

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!"). His trademark includes being physically ejected from the house by Uncle Phil (James Avery).

Music [edit]

As a duo, they 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. 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 Philly 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]

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. Even though he separated from Will Smith as a music partner, they are still friends,[citation needed] and still 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 an 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 & Found and "Potnas" in 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[3] directed by Konee Rok, in which he makes music in his home recording studio with Rhymefest.

In 2008, Townes performed with Smith at the premier 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. Since 2011, DJ Jazzy Jeff is working alongside Pittsburgh-rapper Mac Miller on his mixtape 92 Til Infinity which Townes will be hosting.

Discography [edit]

Solo work as DJ Jazzy Jeff [edit]

  • 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)
  • He's The King, I'm The DJ (Mixtape) (2009)

As DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince [edit]

Miscellaneous [edit]

References [edit]

  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. ^ Kellman, Andy. "DJ Jazzy Jeff". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-01-13. 
  3. ^ DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Fest

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Studio Albums
Compilation Albums
  • Greatest Hits (1998)
  • Before The Willenium (1999)
  • Platinum & Gold Collection (2003)
  • The Very Best of Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (2006)
  • The Best of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (2010)
Singles
Authority control
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