My Next Gig:
@
The Bedford
Monday, June 2nd
Featured on Telethon CD Compilation 2007 (Switzerland)
ROOF TOP IS A 2007 JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST FINALIST
The title track of the album, Roof Top is one of three finalists chosen in the 2007 John Lennon Songwriting Competition in the World category (September 1st)
Sanlam NBC Music Awards Nominee for Best Namibian Collaboration with Namibia (Namibia)
Revue de Press pour mes amis francophone:
Photos du concert de Jaz Rice à l'Adresse par Michel Bobillier
Swiss World Music Festival
et
Tribune de Genève Blog par Michel Bobillier
DEBUT ALBUM 'ROOF TOP' NOW SHIPPING! $12 INCL. P&P
Order your copy of Roof Top now and have it shipped directly to you at the special price of $12 (includes shipping & handling) please click the paypal link below
Jaz Rice, born & grew up in the city of Geneva, Switzerland.
Jaz is the son of an English mother & German/Polish father, with Mongolian & Romanian gypsy blood running through his veins. He has lived in Bristol, England; Cardiff, Wales; as well as a number of years in Brooklyn, New York.
It is his passion and fascination for culture, and humanity which has brought him to many other places, including Jamaica, Thailand & Namibia, all of which have had a notable impact on the music he has written. The importance of the various musical influences is strongly felt in Jaz's songs. As a poet , the lyrical content of a song is very important to Jaz. He holds it on a par with it's melodies & musical themes.
The desire to write arose progressively from his adolescence, which was a direct result of Jaz's dealing with the passing of his late father, when he was just 14. Jaz first appeared on stage in his early teens, in some theatrical & musical productions, giving him a taste for 'the public'!
Later he went into 'retreat' following the dramatic event that struck the family. It was during a trip to Thailand that Jaz's pen started creating prose in a macro-style and in recent years his writing has become more personal.
Jaz's debut in music was as a solo singer as well as participating in the local choir. Later, an encounter with a couple of Senegalese friends lead Jaz to discovering the joys & meditative trances felt when playing a percussion like the Djémbé. One of his friends and teacher, Youssouph Cissoko, an African griot & korah player, brought further inspiration to his musical development.
The result of the blending of all of the wonderful cultures (music, customs and social interaction) have been a continual osmosis which is the first & most important method by which Jaz has grown and is continuing to evolve.
Human relations are what constitute the core of Jaz's message. This is heard & felt in his lyrics and his song-writing capabilities are incessantly evolving, much more is to come from the heart & soul of this a-typical artist.
