JumpShive

Music:

Member Since: 3/15/2006
Band Website: jumpshive.com (coming soon)
Band Members:

Think of it as putting on your flyest gear... or driving a banging car... or getting your money right... You're looking fresh by all means... You know what you are? You're JUMPSHIVE!!!!!

JumpShive came in existence in 1996, with several high schoolers from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), John F. Kennedy High, and the prestigious St. Augustine High School, as The Stooges Brass Band. The band cut their musical teeth playing weddings, funerals, and parties, putting into use their learning experiences. They got their first break in 1998 when they were invited to play for the Rebirth Brass Band's 15th Anniversary Parade. They were an instant hit, becoming one of the premier bands in New Orleans.

While dealing with the tradition of jazz and the brass band, they began using their hip-hop influence to create a new sound. "We loved to play the traditionals with our elders, but we wanted to take our influences and incorporate it into our music", says Walter "Whoadie" Ramsey, bandleader.

With the success of their first release "It's About Time", the Stooges were beginning to venture more into the world of hip-hop. "Our sound then, if you can picture it", says Drew "Phessah" Baham, "was kinda like The Roots meets Earth, Wind, and Fire, meets The Dirty Dozen." They have developed a extraordinary list of performing and production credits, which include "Angels" with Jessica Simpson, "Time's Up" with Jadakiss, live shows with underground legend Jaz-o, production with artists Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliot, new arrangements of the ESPN themes (Sportscenter, NCAA Championship) that will premier in late 2008, performed for Violator Management Executive Mona Scott's wedding, co-produced the theme for BET's Comicview New Orleans, and frequent the M.A.G.I.C shows with The Timberland Co. They have traveled to perform in Asia, Europe, and South America, and planning to introduce themselves to African and Australian audiences in early 2009.

After careful consideration for the name recognition, and some disgruntled rock fans, The Stooges decided to change their name. "It was kinda funny because we didn't even know who Iggy Pop and The Stooges were", says Baham. "We got a lot of emails and letters when we were featured in XXL (July 07). Only thing was they were from Iggy Pop fans. So the decision pretty much had to be made." And so, they changed their name to JumpShive. "It's a New Orleans slang for being fly, fresh to death,if you will," says Ramsey. "It's self-explains the band."

JumpShive's new album, currently untitled,features original hits such as, "1 of Dem Girls", "Whatz It Gonna Be", and "Why Dey Had To Kill Him". Release is scheduled for Fall 2008.