Venerable Grammy Award Winning Artist, Style Icon and Trailblazer Jody Watley’s latest music triumph is her stunning jazz turn of the Bob Marley classic “Waiting In Vain.” Watley continues to delight and surprise – with decades of hits under her belt in various genres she broke new ground with a Top 10 in the Smooth Jazz field on the heels of being ranked as one of Billboard Magazines Greatest Dance Club Artists of All Time.
A truly timeless artist, songwriter and renaissance woman.
Jody Watley, Interview Magazine, 1987
Photography: Karen Filter
Makeup: Wendy Osmunson
It’s a community picnic you don’t want to miss – and it’s free to the people as a thank you for the Oakland City Council. I’ll be doing a few of my hits – so come on out! June 16, 2018 – I go on at 2 PM.
Info: Here
As I’ve shared on on social media pages this past week, it’s a blessing to be able to be loved and appreciated consistently through the decades since the first time coming to Japan when my second solo album came out in 1989. Fast forward to 2018 – it’s still a thrill.
By the time the final concert of 2018 was ending I was moved to tears of joy and deep gratitude. Whenever I decide to retire (if I am given the blessing and opportunity to choose) I know I will miss performing and coming to Japan more than anywhere I’ve been along the way thus far
Here are a few highlights of many. Thank you to the great staff of Billboard Live Tokyo and Osaka, SRL squad, my sharp rhythm section and the incredible fans of Japan. I love you! Domo Arigato and I always pray for the next time.
Arrival. Tokyo – June 4, 2018.
Room service-Breakfast. I took a picture because the presentation was so beautiful.
Soundcheck day 1.
Ready for Act 1 of my show kicking off the music journey with some my classic solo hits with John “Havic” Gregory and Rosero McCoy.
Jody Watley and Ro — Nate dressed for SRL. Rosero is in first part of Jody section.
Photography courtesy of Billboard Live Tokyo-First
two songs of Jody Watley and then Jody Watley
and SRL.
I love capturing Nate on “Make That Move” a classic from my Shalamar days. The audience loves him and Nate brings so much zeal and energy to the song and performance.
I love these fan-made hand held fans I keep them all!
With the gifted and beautiful illustrator Hatsune Utsumi
With the very beautiful and kind Cheiko- we first met 18 years ago.
Entry of Billboard Live Tokyo after concert.
We asked fans to join our after show photo when we went into venue entrance.
Nate Allen Smith, SRL
Jody Watley. Art by Hatsune Utsumi
Nate Allen Smith, SRL
Backstage and ready for my close-up!
Sound checking “Waiting In Vain”
Love these guys! Hiro, Yoshinori and
Shigeo.
The very kind Shun Naka gifted me with handmade bags.
Tokyo – We did that!
Lunch in Osaka
Jody Watley and SRL.
Details.
With John “Havic” Gregory and Rosero Mccoy
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Hand painted kimono and gift by Hatsune Utsumi
Meet and Greet.
He asked me to pose with him – and I did.
The Masato Family – Mile and Madna danced with us onstage and gifted awesome art
Art by Mile and Madna
More to come!
It’s always a joy to come to perform and share the love with everyone. I feel very blessed to have these opportunities. Billboard Live staff is fantastic as well which also makes everything go smoothly.
Chic and Disco Fabulous – Shalamar Act 3 Of Show
Jody Watley and SRL. Photography courtesy of Billboard Live.
Spread a little sunshine from the inside out. Never dim your inner light for anyone. Wattage!
Coming this month:
June 5&6 Billboard Live Tokyo
June 8 Billboard Live Osaka
June 16 TBA Oakland
June 20 Morning TV NBC Affiliate WDIV in Detroit
June 20 Chene Park Detroit
New Single and Video “The Passion” Jody Watley & SRL.
Out Now, the Top 10 Smooth Jazz Single “Waiting In Vain”
Stay Tuned!
June 5 & 6 – Tokyo Billboard Live
June 8 – Osaka Billboard Live
A thank you to Alex Di Ciò and U.K. Radio.
