Live Performance Review
Tyrone Carver - Radio Promotions & Overnight DJ / Kicks 106.9 fm
I would like to say "an excellent job" in Cookeville, TN at the Obsecure Cafe. The Jaystorm Project really deliver an excellent package to the crowd. Cookeville just recently got a live
entertainment venue just last month, and we need groups like yours more often. Let's try to make this a monthly thing in Cookeville, and I guarantee it will be worth it. I work in
Promotions at Kicks 106.9 fm in Cookeville. If you want to pitch your music here in Cookeville, I would be more then happy to. Hope to here from you soon.
Live Performance Review
The Greeneville Sun
Urban/Soul artist Jaystorm was one of the 3 finalists of a vocal soloist competition, winning a spot to perform at the prestigious musical production “Kingsport ShowTime” held at the Troy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center Auditorium in Kingsport, TN last month.
"ShowTime" is a locally produced musical-variety show that captivates audiences with high-energy, fun-filled, family oriented entertainment featuring popular, rock country, gospel, Broadway and patriotic music. "ShowTime" dazzles audiences with a large cast of volunteers, lavish costumes, elaborate sets, and special effects. The production has been a premiere event of Kingsport Funfest for over 17 years and has practically been a “sold-out” show for as long as it’s been in existence. The ShowTime “STAR” search was an added segment to the show as of last year.
Jaystorm performed a cover tune by Billy Vera & The Beaters called “At This Moment” The production ran 3 nights consecutively (Sun, Mon, & Tues) The Troy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center Auditorium was at capacity seating approximately 1500 different on-lookers each night. “Jaystorm was a fantastic addition to our production this year” added Mrs. Louise Dickson, Director of Kingsport ShowTime “His stage presence & performance was incredible!! He was very well received”
WRITE UPS
Eyeing national fame, versatile artist stoking home fires first
The Knoxville News Sentinel - Jer Cole (Band Scene Journalist)
Jaystorm
While the Knoxville music scene is quick to glorify its hyped-up rock hopefuls, the next big talent to emerge from the small pond may very well erupt out of one of the city’s largely unsung genres-- R&B. With a new live band and an unparalleled professional diligence, Jaystorm is on course to realize his dreams of national attention.
Jaystorm’s pride is in his versatility. Having collaborated with rock and hip-hop outfits in the past, he never lost focus on his individual project which has combined elements of hip-hop and R&B and now emphasizes funk and soul to boot. The evolution was made possible by a backup band of local notables (Dave Landeo and brothers Aram and Sevan Takvoryan) who see the potential in Jaystorm’s voice and business sense.
“I finished that one album ‘Let’s Do This’, and now I’m working on my second one,” explains Jaystorm. “The first was to electronic beats and I’ve had a few producers; now I’m trying to come out with a live album, half and half, because I’ve got a live band now. My style on the last album was R&B with a twist of hip-hop. What I’m graduating to is funk-soul with a twist of hip-hop.”
Since incorporating live instrumentation, Jaystorm has been able to book an impressive quantity of live shows, many of which have been opening for superstars such as Coolio, 112, Nappy Roots, Mystikal, and Petey Pablo. Despite his association with such big names, what brings most fans back for more is his personal touch. Jaystorm’s likeability prevails in post-show promotion as the singer makes an effort to meet and thank all in attendance. This is but one staple of a persistent marketing agenda that has and will almost certainly continue to pay off for the enterprising vocalist.
“I’m a marketing dude,” Jaystorm admits. “I’m all about marketing. I think that this business is 95 percent marketing. Yeah, you’ve got to have talent and stuff like that, but it applies to any product. I think Tide with bleach is the best damn detergent out there, but Tide with bleach isn’t going to sell-- even though it’s real good-- it ain’t gonna sell without no commercials. It’s about the marketing and it’s about stepping up and taking charge.”
Other triumphs for Jaystorm’s work have come in the form of rave reviews and international web-zine top ten listings. After seeing such support for the act, it is a wonder that East Tennessee doesn’t produce more R&B-related ensembles. Jaystorm theorizes that the scarcity of such projects doesn’t result from a lack of interest.
“I think the market is so saturated with the other genres, these other guys don’t feel like they even have a shot to play at any bar,” asserts Jaystorm. “That’s what I think. There’s definitely a market for it. People want to see more stuff like that. You’ve got a couple of bands that do some, but me, I’m bringing it all night.”
Although Jaystorm has his sights set on national fame, don’t expect him to neglect his home base just yet. His route to the top will consist primarily of regional gigs as he notes the importance of local recognition.
“Everything I’ve ever read says even though you may have a lot of talent, if you move somewhere else you’re starting all over,” he says. “There are bands where you’re going, and they’re known and you’re not, so they’re way ahead of you. A lot of record execs say you have to show a label that you can blow up your own spot before you go somewhere else. You have to show that you can start a regional buzz and that’s what attracts. When they see you blowing up, and you’ve got more of a buzz than their artists in their area, and you’re doing it on a limited budget, that’s something to look at.”
Jaystorm plays tonight at The Downtown Grill and Brewery. The show starts at 9:30 and is free. In addition to his set list of soulful funk and R&B, expect a surprise or two when Jaystorm breaks out acoustic renditions of crowd-pleasing rock anthems such as Whitesnake’s “Is This Love.” Jaystorm will also appear at Gatsby’s in Johnson City Saturday night. For more news and upcoming show dates visit www.jaystorm.net.
Jaystorm brings R&B to AJ's in Maryville
Steve Wildsmith - The Daily Times Staff
When it comes to hip-hop, R&B and other forms of urban music, East Tennessee's scene leaves a little something to be desired.
Roll up to a red light, and chances are that the thumping bass and blaring rhymes three cars back is by a hip-hop artist. Certainly, the music has its share of fans. And while there are plenty of local artists doing that style of music, few of them get out and perform live.
Greeneville native Jaystorm is one of the exceptions to that trend. Tonight, he'll bring his brand of hip-hop and soul to AJ's Sports Bar in Maryville, and for fans who turn out to see him, he promises one thing -- live music by a real band.
''I don't think a lot of urban and R&B artists around here truly understand that to make a dent in this scene, you've got to have live music,'' Jaystorm told The Daily Times recently. ''So many of them rap or sing along to [pre-recorded] tracks, but all of that music can be done live and acoustically, and you can do so much more with it. A lot of singers, R&B artists and hip-hop groups depend on tracks, but there's a big difference between using tracks and having a live band.
''People really, really enjoy live music vs. tracks. If you're a celebrity, you can do that. But when you're trying to get people to notice your music, your crowd is limited when you're performing to a track, unless you're doing karaoke. People enjoy live music, and that's what's taken me to the next level.''
It doesn't hurt that Jaystorm has won the respect of his peers in the local music scene. His band has included local singer-songwriter Dave Landeo, and now he performs with Aram and Sevan Takvoryan, brothers who play in a number of jazz-related projects around the area, and Kenneth Brown, a drummer and the son of local jazz guru Donald Brown. He won them over the old-fashioned way -- by putting his music to the test in front of a crowd.
Although Knoxville may seem like a strange place for an urban music artist to relocate, its advantages were more than evident to Jaystorm when he lived in Greeneville. The scene in the nearby Tri-Cities area was lacking, so in 1997, he packed up and headed south. For another four years, he remained a part of his old hip-hop group, PD-6, but in 2001, he decided to go solo.
''Everything changed for me about a year and a half ago when I decided to go live and use a live band,'' he said. ''I have a lot of versatility, and I think that's what helped me build an audience. I can rap and I can sing in a lot of genres, but I stick to the strength of funk and soul and hip-hop. I'd do a few acoustic gigs and kind of slid in that way, and it's been skyrocketing ever since.''
He's had the privilege of opening for major-label hip-hop artists, including Mystikal, Petey Pablo and the Nappy Roots, and he's made an effort to win over fans through a grassroots campaign by which he corresponds via e-mail with those who enjoy his shows. He's made a splash in the local scene, performing everywhere from the friendly neighborhood pub confines of the Corner Lounge to the upscale jazz venue 4620 Club, and right now, he said, he's trying to put together some overseas dates for the summer.
More importantly, he added, performing live turns him into something greater than the laid-back, mellow-sounding guy he comes across as in casual conversation.
''I think what people connect with is pretty much my live stage performance and the energy I give off from the stage,'' he said. ''They just tune in because I'm giving it my all each and every time, in each and every song. The stuff I'm doing, I don't think people have seen it before. I'll do a funk song or a hip-hop song, and then I'll turn around and do something acoustic.
''They're not used to seeing that sort of versatility, and it's caught on pretty quick. Some people might have started coming to my shows expecting to see some jazz or a smooth, slow sort of song, but they get much, much, much more than that.
''When I'm behind the mic, I've got one mission -- strictly to entertain,'' he added. ''I feed off of the energy of the crowd, and I throw it right back at them. It's a wonderful feeling, because it's what I've always lived to do.''
Local musician returns to play
The Daily Beacon
Get ready Knoxville, because the funk revolution is coming to the Old City. Local independent artist Jaystorm will be performing live at Patrick Sullivan’s tomorrow night with special guest Skinny Little White Girl.
Jaystorm is one of Knoxville’s own rising musicians, noted for his soulful sound blended with undertones of hip-hop and funk. As a musician, Jaystorm said he feels confident in performing a wide variety of styles.
“I have a solid combination in the delivery of all my songs,” Jaystorm said. “I can sing and rap — like Lauren Hill and Missy Elliot do. I put all my energy and emotion into each song.”
Noted for his onstage presence and versatility, Jaystorm has quickly risen through the ranks of a genre that is relatively new to the region. Drawing from such influences as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, Jaystorm’s abilities as an artist have allowed him to open for such major label artists as The Nappy Roots, Mystikal, Young Joc and Petey Pablo.
After completing two full-length albums with his former R&B group PD-6, public demand forced Jaystorm to release his first solo album “Let’s Do This” in 2004. Since then, he has worked for various fundraisers and charity events throughout the upper east Tennessee region.
While promoting the album, Jaystorm racked up some noteworthy credentials, including a nomination for 2005 Southern Entertainment Awards’ Independent R&B Album of the Year, a nomination for a Chicago-based Battle of the Bands national competition and a music video that saw regular rotation among several television stations. Currently, Jaystorm is preparing for and promoting his much anticipated sophomore release “TwentyFourSeven,” which is due this spring.
“Jaystorm definitely has the gift of groove,” Mike Allison, a sophomore in engineering said. “I’m looking forward to getting my funk on Friday night.”
Opening for Jaystorm will be another of Knoxville’s own intensely funk bands, known as Skinny Little White Girl. The band is made up of seven musicians and adds a stylistic edge by featuring three vocalists and a saxophone. Skinny Little White Girl has been performing regionally for several years and seems to pick up more funk followers everywhere they go.
So start the weekend right by supporting two of Knoxville’s rising stars, and expect nothing short of a good time. Whether you’re a funk band lover or just looking for the party, Jaystorm and Skinny Little White Girl are sure to provide it. For more information on the event, check out www.jaystorm.net or Jaystorm’s page on MySpace. The concert starts at 9 p.m. at Patrick Sullivan’s on Friday with a $7 cover.
DETERMINED IN KNOX VEGAS
"East TN Local Music Scene"
Jaystorm Says It All
Jay Storm I learned is a very well known artist in many circles in the musical community. When his name is mentioned Jazz, blues, Rock, Hip Hop and many more musicians I’ve spoken to know who he is and what he does. His music also reflects all of these diverse artists and many more. You can’t really put him in a box.
Jay Storm has been playing since the mid nineties in various bands and solo projects. One of his first bands was a rock band. Today he has many projects going on at the same time. When he’s not doing his solo act he plays in a band called the Jaystorm Project with Sevan Takvoryan, Dave Slack, Kenneth Brown and Bob James. When performing acoustically Jaystorm plays with Jackson Mohr, and these are not the only projects he has his hands in. Jaystorm owns his own production company JVP Entertainment with three rappers; Excalibur, 7 Figgaz (or Big Figgaz) and Mr. Rhythm.
With the many projects under his belt he stays a very busy man. You can catch his shows at various venues across the area. Years ago when he started performing, his music was a part time job and he worked on a regular 9 to 5 job during the day. Today those roles are reversed with the music becoming his full time career and working else where is a part time job. He hopes to one day focus on the music solely. He has played various cities in the US and opened for big named acts such as Keith Sweat. He would love to do a tour outside of the US one day.
Jaystorm’s main influences are Jimmy Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, LL Cool J and Stevie Wonder. You can see all of these strong artists reflected in his music. Years ago he learned the cover songs of other bands to get his foot into the door, but today he performs more of his own original music. He recounted a chance to play at a venue while on vacation recently where he was asked to do a cover song. He did the cover and ad libbed his own lyrics into it garnering a huge response from the audience. “It’s a great feeling when the crowd is singing along with you to your own lyrics and songs and not just someone else’s.”
Jaystorm has produced 3 singles and a full album. He is about to release an EP which is available on Jaystorm.net and his myspace page or you can purchase them at his live shows.
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