Jody Watley June Wattage

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The summer has gotten off to a wonderful start with concerts in Japan and stateside. If you’ve missed posts check out some of the older posts on my site.

On the heels of the success of the spring Smooth Jazz Top 10 “Waiting In Vain”, finishing the video for the forthcoming new single from my Jody Watley & SRL collective apart from my solo works – I look forward to what’s next. Like with anything in life, there are obstacles to be faced and bumps in the road to navigate, those those never dampen my grit, determination, optimism and gratitude to continue doing what I love on my own terms.

The Top 10 “Waiting In Vain” Available at All Digital Outlets and still in the Top 100 to close out June Top 100 Smooth Jazz Network

Concerts for July:

July 21 – Cache Creek Casino and Resort – Northern California

July 28 – Merchant Street Music Festival – Kankakee, IL

August:

August 4 –  Florian Hall, Dorchester MA

August 11 –  TBA – Austin, TX

October

October 20 – A Taste of Soul Los Angeles

November

November 7 – 80’s In The Sand Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Stay Tuned for exciting news about the release date for Jody Watley & SRL “The Passion” – in the meantime, enjoy the U.K. Top 2 Soul Single  “The Mood”  Alex Di Cio Mix.

Jody Watley A Monumental Look Back To Still A Thrill

The gears below the Paris Opera House (Le Palais Garnier)

Being the first artist or entity at all to be allowed to film a video in the then called Opera de Paris (Palais Garnier) in Paris, France for my video “Still A Thrill” in 1989 is something that was quietly monumental at the time – and probably beyond my devoted fans few know this. When most “urban” artists were primarily relegated to basic in studio videos. I thought about the significance as Beyonce made headlines with her video filmed at the prestigious Louvre museum another landmark in Paris. As one of my fans noted..”if you released this today, you would have broken the internet..it was ahead of the times.” I agree.

Directed by Brian Grant, the 2nd of 3 videos we filmed together – I sashayed all over the streets of Paris (thank you to my former label for supporting my vision) – I worked the historic setting with no choreography or rehearsals. There’s also a scene in one of the night shots on the streets of Paris where graffiti notes “Gay Color, Say Cool Say What?” that makes it’s own statement and my support of the LGBTQ community without batting a cat-eyed eyelash that I’ve never been asked about.

This included the basement so to speak working the gears with Tyrone “The Bone” Procter, former ST alum like me – freestyle, waacking, just making it up as we went along. I styled myself (a bit of Jean Paul Gaultier mixed in) as well as Tyrone (in a Jean Paul Gaultier T-shirt).  It was about the edgy style against the opulent setting and getting in the music. Creating art outside the box especially for a black girl at the time dealing with industry politics among other things – quietly opening doors and raising the bar for myself and others to follow has always been important to me – before social media.

You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing-that’s usually how artists make a mark.

Classic.

Paris By Night was the theme and concept of the video – totally enjoyed collaborating and working with Brian Grant.

 

Today’s Inspiration. Quote and Motivation.

A Jody Watley At Chene Park Celebratory Mix by Chris Campbell aka DJ Cambeaux

For the deep cuts music appreciators – you’ll enjoy this compilation put together by Detroit’s The Progressive Underground’s Chris Campbell in celebration and support of my highly anticipated concert at the beautiful Chene Park Detroit.

Just push play:

Jody Watley’s Latest Music Triumph

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 waiting in vain cover art copy

Classic Jody Watley Photo of The Day. Interview Magazine 1987

Jody Watley, Interview Magazine, 1987

Photography: Karen Filter

Makeup: Wendy Osmunson

Jody Watley Comes to Oakland for Juneteenth

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.

Oakland-Juneteenth Jody Watley

 

Info: Here

Jody Watley 2018 Billboard Live Tokyo and Osaka Concert Series: Another One For The Books

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.

Jody Watley, SRL (Nate Allen Smith, Rosero McCoy) Kerry Griffin, Roland Hamilton. Keith Eaddy, Naz Cham

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.

They traveled from Spain.

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!

Jody Watley Billboard Live Tokyo 2018 In Concert Photos

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 Solo Act 1 Of Show

Jody Watley and SRL. Photography courtesy of Billboard Live.

Jody Watley June 2018 Updates

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!