Sunday May 26, 2013 – 4th Street Live Louisville. Click Here To Learn More About The FREE Event!!
June 8, 2013 – Night of Fortune GRAMMY Stars Concert, Chengdu, China
July 6, 2013 – Essence Festival Mercedes Benz Superdome – Superlounge Tickets and Info: Here
Funky NEW MUSIC! singles “Nightlife” produced by Count De Money and “The Dawn” produced by Mark de-Clive Lowe Coming Summer 2013!
Art Design/Logo: Ray Easmon, Jody Watley (c) 2013
LA Fashion Week 2006. Show Produced by Tod Halman
I love the joy in this photo! There’s nothing more glamourous than a great smile, great clothes are the icing on the cake so to speak. Working the runway to open Kevan Hall’s show was another fabulous and memorable moment for me.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/entertainment&id=4679605
With the backdrop and history of New Orleans as the backdrop amidst a variety of artists of various age demo’s; I’m so looking forward to being a part of this spectacular music and cultural event! Saturday night July 6, 2013 – it’s going down with my eclectic show of stylish funky pop soul in a concert of classic and dynamic hits (solo and Shalamar), a couple of critically acclaimed under the commercial radar gems, well new music and perhaps a surprise or two! To coincide with the performance I’ll be releasing two new singles titled ‘Nightlife’ Produced by the UK’s Count De Money and ‘The Dawn’ Produced by Mark de Clive-Lowe this summer. ‘Nightlife’ is a nod to my Shalamar / disco past though totally modern in approach – the groove never subsides. ‘Nightlife’ features vocal contributions by original Shalamar male lead Gerald Brown (Take That To The Bank) for added authenticity – if you loved Shalamar or music from that era – you will love ‘Nightlife.’ ‘The Dawn’ is another nod to my disco funk roots and written recalling my youth, while appreciating the me of now and adding those elements. This is the type of real dance music that not unlike what Daft Punk is being heralded for. Traditionally, other’s doing music rooted in soul, disco and funk receive more accolades however it’s not really about that – in the end for me my music always comes from a place of passion, joy and love first to represent me at a particular time in my creative and artistic life.
http://www.essence.com/2013/04/30/jody-watleys-coming-essence-festival/
Photo: Jody Watley 2013 (c)
If you’ve ever had people trying to tell you what and how to do something you’re working toward personally or professionally - yet have never achieved anything in your field, relationships, etc. and they seem to feel they have all the answers for your life without your ever asking for advice – this might resonate! I knew someone who knew the secret to winning the lottery, though they’d never even won even a small prize. Walk the path of your own life – ignore the know it all’s, naysayers and crabs in the barrel of life.
It went down April 27, 2013 at a very secret location in downtown Los Angeles. You needed to RSVP before being given the address. This is an ultra groovy music affair. If you’re not hip to internationally renowned DJ/Producer/Jazz Musician/Classically trained pianist/ Mark de Clive-Lowe you need to update your musical palette. His event CHURCH is a must attend night on the town if it ever pops up in your city – anywhere in the world. The framework and atmosphere were laid by an eclectic range of DJ’s including Jeremy Sole and KCRW’s Aaron Byrd mixing tunes on a stellar sound system inside the warehouse. I’m not talking the glut of the same Top 40 songs being spun in clubs around the world now. If you’re old enough to remember what it was like going out to dance and you heard songs that made you go “Whoa..what’s that?!”
This was handpicked music ranging from jazz, soul and house all woven together amidst a first class lighting designer to create the right type of ambience. Mark de Clive Lowe’s set is a combination of DJ and musicianship – with vocal pieces and musical bits being created on the fly accompanied by a tight knit band that included an esteemed cast including Freddy Washington (Herbie Hancock,Patrice Rushen on bass; Derf Reklaw (The Pharoahs, Ramsey Lewis) percussion, Dexter Story (Kindred Spirits, Lifeforce Trio), drums Bob Reynolds (John Mayer) on saxophone, , as well the gifted Nia Andrews (Common, Janelle Monae) on vocals.
Food trucks, full bar and a packed house of music devotees not worried about trend or popularity – rather the type of night of music and dancing that’s all about substance. Legacy artist/songwriter producer Leon Ware (Marvin Gaye, Quincy Jones, Maxwell) did a memorable brief set that included Minnie Ripperton’s classic “Inside My Love” to which I joined him on a sublime and sexy rendition of one of his classic penned tunes “I Want You.” I felt as if I were in a dream. It wasn’t one of those generic ‘old school’ moments – this was born of the moment to a packed house of primarily 20 and 30 somethings that appreciate the music and vibes enough to be in the ‘know’ about an evening like this. They also seem to know the history not as nostalgia (like some older fans tend to do) but true modern appreciation rather than what’s force-fed ad nauseam in today’s commercial scene. After coming onstage to join Mr. Ware, I returned in the second set of De Clive-Lowe to perform “Tonight’s The Night” one of our club gems as well as the new “The Dawn” – it was the first time he and I had performed that one. My guys Rosero McCoy and John “Havic” Gregory went in with me on both.
It’s a pleasure to be a legacy artist with history myself while continuing to be a part of something fresh to those who really understand – as an alternative to some of the more straight up shows and events I do with my own band. It’s a continued evolution which is an element and one of the many unique things about what I do and the variety of ways I choose to do it. Being an artist for 3 decades in this crazy business, it’s always important for me to find ways to remain authentic though never staying the the ‘box.’ The vibe of ‘CHURCH’ is one of the elements of the underground that I’ve loved since I discovered and began to embrace back in 1999; a quality mixture of soul, jazz, dance, electronic – just happens to be ‘club.’ There is a wealth of great music and artistry – you may have to work harder to find it, but it’s there for the open-minded. I had so much fun – it was another night to remember for all involved.
Backstage. Mark De Clive-Lowe and Jody Watley Photo: Jody Watley 2013 (c)
Backstage. Mark De Clive-Lowe, Jody Watley, Leon Ware. Photo: Jody Watley 2013 (c)
Jody Watley “LIVE” theLIFT presents CHURCH Spring 2013 Photo: Jody Watley 2013 (c)
Backstage VIP Lounge. Limited edition Jody Watley T-shirts!
Pre-Show – Always staying “in the light!” Photo: Jody Watley 2013 (c)
Meeting Leon Ware backstage for first time. Photo: Jody Watley 2013 (c)
UPCOMING CONCERTS:
CHENGDU NIGHT OF GLOBAL FORTUNE AND GRAMMY WINNING ARTISTS; CHENGDU, CHINA SPORTS CENTRE JUNE 8, 2013.
ESSENCE MUSIC FESTIVAL, NEW ORLEANS, LA MERCEDES BENZ SUPERDOME SUPERLOUNGE, JULY 6, 2013
NEW MUSIC COMING:
“NIGHTLIFE” PRODUCED BY COUNT DE MONEY
”THE DAWN” PRODUCED BY MARK DE CLIVE-LOWE – Coming Summer 2013!
Despite going on at a way past my bedtime 2:00 a.m. – I had an absolutely fun time onstage with French Horn Rebellion at Brooklyn Bowl. My son, who was with me (we bowled while I waited to go on) knew their songs. It turns out their music is in rotation at his part-time job at Club Monaco all the time. Fun, danceable hyper-electronic funk – not unlike Daft Punk to a degree with less marketing, promotion and history is what the band sounds like somewhat – though I don’t like to compare. The reference is only to give an idea of the sound, which is also totally distinctly their own. The crowd was young, not hipster but totally into the music which doesn’t have to be Top 40 to be good or likable. Sprinkled in the crowd were a few Jody Watley die-hards who came out to check things out and support. It’s such a joy to be a veteran artist – and be involved with a young band of artists like this.
I came out mid set and did a brief remix they’d put together of one of my classic hits “Don’t You Want Me.” “Dancing Out” which will be their next single was up next. French Horn Rebellion were quirky and delightful with glowing accents to their denim jackets and glow in the dark custom T-shirts. Their band and onstage crew including a vibrantly hot pink coiffed backing vocalist named Bebe Panthere dancing in floral shorts was just the right touch to add to the vibe. Look for “Dancing Out” and make sure to pick up their EP “Love Is Dangerous (FHRekles Remix).” I came out to sing that one for their last song of the night – such a good vibe.
Brooklyn Bowl is a must experience, if you’ve never been. I’d add they also have great food amidst the entertainment (live music, or DJ’s) and of course – bowling and loved the staff. That sounded like a Yelp review, but it’s true.
Party people in the house!
French Horn Rebellion FT. Jody Watley. Photo: Arie, Jody Watley 2013 (c)
Jody Watley at Brooklyn Bowl – Photo: Tres
Bebe Panthere and Jody Watley Photo: Arie (c) Jody Watley 2013
The shows in Tokyo at Billboard Live were a smashing success, packing the house and having the fans dancing in the aisles, singing, and love One of the Billboard Live staff said to me of all of the artists who perform there – I seem to have the most special connection to the fans, which made me feel very happy and appreciative. One person told me seeing me live and hearing my songs makes them feel strong and motivated again – that’s the power of music. Real love indeed!
We arrived in Osaka yesterday April 12 – and woke up to a 6.0 earthquake this morning. Thank God we’re all OK though I’m reading about ongoing threats from North Korea to Tokyo and of course America about nuclear attacks – which make me very pensive and sad to consider that these leaders have so much power to destroy at their fingertips. Let’s send heaps of prayers, meditation (if you do that as well) and overall positive energy into the universe.
Blessings and love to everyone – for now I’ll focus on the the escape and good feelings music provides globally. More pics and video highlights to come! Billboard Live Osaka – get ready for a night to remember!
Photo: Jody Watley Music (c). All Rights Reserved 2013
Photo. Jody Watley Music (c). All Rights Reserved. 2013
Some of my material gifts from the fans which I always cherish and appreciate! Photo: Jody Watley Music (c) All Rights Reserved 2013
Adorable! Photo: Jody Watley Music (c) All Rights Reserved.
Upcoming concerts April:
April 10-11, 2013 – Billboard LIVE Tokyo, Japan
April 12, 2013 – Billboard LIVE Osaka, Japan
April 19, 2013 – Brooklyn, NY | Brooklyn Bowl Special Guest Appearance with French Horn Rebellion
April 27, 2013 - Los Angeles, CA | CHURCH Special Guest Appearance with Mark De-Clive Lowe details forthcoming.
Current new music includes my recent collaboration with French Horn Rebellion titled ‘Cold Enough.’ I’ll be making a special guest appearance with the electro pop party duo on April 19, 2013 as they begin their residency at the ultra buzzed about Brooklyn Bowl. This is really exciting for me because this is a new audience, young party people. One of the unique things about my musical journey is that it continues to reach a variety of audiences – and I’m comfortable in all the genres and scenario’s. We’ll also preview another collaboration titled ‘Dancing Out’ – another fun song, and I must tell you they’ve done an awesome mash-up on one of my classics ‘Don’t You Want Me’ – it’s going to be a great time. For info and tickets: Brooklyn Bowl – also on the collaboration front I contributed vocals to the forthcoming new album by Dam-Funk coming on Stones Throw (pronounced Dame-Funk aka name is Damon — and he is world renowned in by young music heads as the artist of modern-funk). This is long awaited follow-up to his critically heralded and all around banger Dam-Funk’s classic “Toeachizown” – a must have for the collection. Don’t sleep because there are artists in today’s music scene thriving without an ounce of Top 40 airplay.
Don’t miss ”A Real Fool” from the international musical event I starred in this past fall “Loving The Silent Tears: A New Musical” now available at iTunes. The African inspired groove and song of gratitude is composed by Emmy nominee and Oscar winner Nan Schwartz and Al Kasha with arrangement by Emmy winner Doug Katsaros. The entire soundtrack is gorgeous and spans the globe reflective of the stellar cast of artists including Kay Tse, (China), Heather Park and Brian Joo (Korea), Persian born Siavash Shams, Liel Kolet (Israel), Camellia Abou-Odah (Lebanon), Mark Janicello (Italy), Black Uhuru (Jamaica), Hồ Quỳnh Hương (Vietnam), Fabiana Passoni (Brazil) and more.
On the Jody Watley 10th album front – it’s coming this year for certain. I posted before that I’m not sure if it will still be called ‘Chameleon’ – as the project has evolved along with me..I have other ideas floating in my head with regard to the title and vibe. The state of the music industry and spending time assessing and re-evaluating why I continue to do what I do as an artist are factors. It really is for the love and joy through music — and that’s the feeling I want people to have when listening to it around the world; even if folks are no longer really buying albums – or supporting the veteran acts who continue to progress artistically and beyond the corporate controlled mainstream bubble. That fact has certainly made it less a priority to finish and release however, the music on it so far is too good to not see it all through. It’s feel good music with soul and there’s something still to be said for that. The song I did with Morel was finished last week ‘I Love, Music’ (not the O’Jay’s song, but certainly inspired by that message and era of music. I’ve been dancing around to it since the final mix. ‘Nightlife’ is still sounding as fresh as ever produced by Count De Money out of the UK. The new extended mix will have you pushing rewind. ‘Sanctuary’ is a healing loving song that I’m looking forward to having everyone hear – it’s all about creating an environment of love, I produced that one with my longtime collaborator Rodney Lee. There’s so much more.. forthcoming late spring, summer and fall.
Creativity is a process - not a destination and when allowed runs in and on it’s own time and space. What I do has never been for everyone – it’s just me always carving out my own corner of the universe in my own distinct way. I’m not 70′s Jody, 80′s Jody, 90′s Jody and so on –just and always Jody Watley in the moment.
Upcoming concerts:
Yoshi’s Jazz: March 23, 2013
http://fusicology.com/event/jody-watley-at-yoshis-oakland/
Billboard Live Tokyo Japan, April 10-11, 2013
Billboard Live Osaka, Japan; April 13, 2013
Brooklyn Bowl : Special Guest Appearance with French Horn Rebellion, April 19, 2013
Essence Festival, New Orleans Mercedes Benz Superdome / Superlounge: July 6, 2013
More ‘select’ dates to be announced.
Jody Watley Photo: (c) 2013 Jody Watley
