In 1985, Jeffrey Allen Townes exploded onto the music scene as half of the superstar duo known as DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (longtime partner/artist/actor, Will Smith). The precocious duo went on to sell over fifteen million records worldwide, win three Grammy Awards (including first ever awarded for Rap), three American Music Awards, two NAACP Awards, two Soul Train Music Awards, and an MTV Music Award.

In 1990, Jeff fulfilled a longtime dream and started A Touch of Jazz, Inc. (ATOJ), a full-scale musical production facility, in his hometown of Philadelphia. Housing four complete digital and analog rooms, ATOJ also has a variety of vintage microphones, keyboards, state-of-the-art equipment and a “live” room. Pre-production, recording, and mixing are performed magically and almost effortlessly by Jeff’s constantly replenished team of talented young producers. Jeff prides himself on having created a laid-back atmosphere that allows all those who enter to feel unity, inspiration, and deliver their most personal and innovative creative work possible. The relaxed environment and the tremendous amount of great music it yielded helped solidify ATOJ’s reputation for being THE place to create original music.

Thanks to Jeff’s vision and talent, ATOJ has developed a prolific catalog of musical credits, including the theme to “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” television show, a song on “The Simpsons” compilation album, and the theme to the UPN Network’s “Between Brothers.” ATOJ has also produced songs on the “Wild Wild West,” “Love Jones,” “The Wood,” and “In Too Deep” movie soundtracks. ATOJ has also worked with renowned artists such as Will Smith, Eminem, Michael Jackson, Jewel, Mos Def, Musiq, Kenny Lattimore, Tatyana Ali, MC Lyte, Darius Rucker (lead singer for Hootie & the Blowfish).

In addition to creating material for outside artists, ATOJ has also developed an incredible reputation for identifying and developing its own roster of talent. In summer 2000, ATOJ introduced an unknown Jill Scott to the world. Ms. Scott’s debut album “Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sound Vol. 1,” which went on to sell over two million records worldwide and earn three Grammy nominations. British duo sensation, Floetry, was another unknown group who benefited from Jeff’s and ATOJ’s magic touch, earning gold status for their debut album and rave reviews. Musiq Soulchild’s debut album, “Aijuswanaseing,” also produced by ATOJ, rounds out a stable of performers who helped to carve out the “neo-soul” sound – a movement that took the world by storm.

Ultimately Jeff Townes is a renaissance man. He’s one of the world’s foremost DJ’s, an artist who has sold millions of records, a successful TV actor, a prolific writer and producer, and the leader of an internationally renowned music production company. DJ Jazzy Jeff has spun enough records to keep the earth on its axis – not to mention dance floors spinning; wrote and recorded enough great hits as an artist to help launch entirely new art form and genre called hip hop; and produced enough acts and new music to keep the world the singing well into next generations. And he’s not even close to done. Jeff continues to build upon Philly’s longstanding reputation for developing new sounds and translating that into great music. His final legacy, however, will lie in his ability to hear, create, and deliver – in so many different ways – music that moves the world.

djjazzyjeff.com

TONE LOC soared from obscurity into pop stardom in 1989 when his hoarse voice and unmistakable delivery made the song “Wild Thing” (using a sample from Van Halen’s “Jamie’s Cryin'”) a massive hit winnning Grammy’s and countless other awards. The song Wild Thing was co-written by Marvin Young, better known as Young MC, as was the second single smash, “Funky Cold Medina.” The album “Loc-ed After Dark” became the second rap release ever to top the pop charts and one of the most popular of all time.

Tone’s popularity also grew with such notable film roles in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “Heat,” “The Adventures of Ford Fairlane,” Poetic Justice,” “Posse,” “Surf Ninja’s,” “Freedom Strike,” “1998,” “Titan A.E. 2000,” “Code Hunter,” “They Crawl,” “Fakin Da Funk,” “Spy Hard,” “Blank Check,” “Car 54- Where Are You?” and many others. Tone has been fortunate to play in a variety of roles, avoiding the typecasting that most rappers and singers are constantly fighting against.

Not limiting himself to just film, he has also been in demand for TV guest spots such as hit FOX-TV series “Roc,” “Touched By An Angel,” “News Radio,” “Living Single,” “Martin,” “Early Edition” and a judge on WBN’S “You Can Be Star.” Tone has also lent his voice to several projects including the voice for “Gatorade” “Old Spice” the animation feature films “BeBe Kids,” “Ferngully,” “The Last Rainforest” and “Jamar The Bear.” Tone still has his voice on many commercials and television shows out today including the many radio spots and the cartoon commercials with Sierra Mist
and Burger King airing all of 2009, across the country.

On March 26, 2007, TONE LOC was the #28 best-selling title on eMusic…22 years after it’s release!!!! 

In 2009, Tone continues to tour many festivals, colleges, clubs and corporate events across America. Because of his popularity and “clean” shows, he performs many of the top festivals across the country and recently finished a NIKE Tour which had thousands of foot race runners enjoy the shows while running.

Over the years Tone has performed with many artists such as N’Sync, Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child, Boyz II Men, Naughty By Nature, Coolio, Young MC, Sugar Hill Gang, Digital Underground, Sir Mix-A-Lot and many others.