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blacklieder

About Me

When my generation of musicians and artists were growing up, many of them were educated by the sage advice of Schoolhouse Rock, which taught the adage that "knowledge is power." I believe this to be gospel, and I also believe knowledge is the secret weapon in the creation of art.Knowledge is part of my background. Having been born and raised in Jamaica, Queens and having come from a creative family, I am no stranger to right-minded ideas. I studied commercial art in high school and college. I was trained as a jazz pianist at Long Island University, and I studied Music History and Literature at Northwestern University. I've toured and recorded with choirs, performed and directed musical theatre, and written and arranged in a variety of genres.My primary influences are Stevie Wonder, Prince, Elvis Costello, Sting and Mariah Carey. These five artists reperesent the blacklieder philosophy: genius, eclecticism, lyricism, musicianship and prolificacy.GENIUS - I believe that genius is born, then made. A true genius takes what gifts they naturally possess and amplifies it with hard work. It is like the parable of the talents - if you have five talents, work to make them ten.ECLECTICISM - I take the best from all styles of music, and incorporate it into my own material. True music appreciation means recognizing the apex within a genre, and using that achievement to better the overall craft.LYRICISM - Write meaningful lyrics that will last the test of time. Understand the language you write in, and let the conventions follow you, not the other way around.MUSICIANSHIP - Practice your craft through rehearsal and push your abilities to the max. A true musician always seeks to improve their abilities and doesn't settle for mediocrity.PROLIFICACY - Write until your mind, body and spirit give out. Write in all styles in all forms, for all occasions. Write standards that people will want to hear and perform hundreds of years from now. Establish a library filled with your own material. And share your output with the world.My influences are the late 20th century role models for the blacklieder philosophy.I'm looking for as much as God can provide me; the more I possess, the more I have to share. If a handful of people are touched by my art, I'll be satisfied. Life is a work in progress, and we can only seek to improve upon what we already have. If you like what you hear at www.broadjam.com/blacklieder, order my CD from CDBABY. Or email me at [email protected] Jacobs Music & Art

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 3/27/2006
Band Website: www.broadjam.com/blacklieder
Band Members: JAZZIQUEJAZZIQUE is an R&B band whose members hail from Queens, Brooklyn and Bayonne, N.J. Their sound is soulful, funky and authentic. These guys are the real thing!http://www.sonicbids.com/jazzique http://jazzique.dmusic.comAntonio Jacobs – Lead Vocals/Keyboards Born and raised in Queens, New York, Antonio Jacobs has played in a variety of bands and groups for the past 15 years. He produced an album of original material in 2000 (Antonio Jacobs – black lieder, available on online at CDBABY. and soon at MySpace), and has performed at The Baggot Inn, Groove, Soul Cafe and The Triad.Rob "Bobby D" Warren - Keyboards/Bass Rob Warren, an accomplished Bayonne-born musician, has been playing the bass for 25 years and the keyboard for 10 years. He is also a singer/songwriter & founding member of salsa recording artists La Fuerza Positiva. He's performed at the Latin Quarter, on cable access programming & for corporate events at the Marriot Marquis.Lou Foglia – Drums Lou Foglia is a phenomenal drummer from Bayonne who has played for a number of bands worldwide for the past 20 years.Juan "Johnny" Santiago - Bass/Keyboards/Percussion Juan Santiago has been a bass player & guitarist for about 25 years and has performed in various Latin-based groups and with various artists in live performances and studio work. A travelin' man, Juan has performed in Puerto Rico & California as well as NYC & NJ. He is currently the lead vocalist for salsa recording artists La Fuerza Positiva as well as co-writer for a number of their songs.Scott "Web" Van Johnson - Guitar Scott Van Johnson has been playing guitar and has utilized his smokin' guitar licks with many different artists in R&B bands for the past 25 years. Scott has performed with funk/soul bands The Platinum Express & The Movement. He is also an accomplished songwriter & keyboard player.John “J.K.” Kennedy – Guitar J.K is an accomplished lead guitarist with over 25 years of experience. He runs a successful sound design company, with contract with high-profile acts and unique events, such as the ING New York Marathon.Renaissance - Drums Renaissance is an accomplished sideman and songwriter who has played for B.T. Express, Julian Meyers, Cecil Bridgewater and Savion Glover. Highlights in the career of Jazzique:? Performed for Promesa Graduation ceremony at Hostos Community College (CUNY) in 2004. ? Released album of original material in September 2004. ? Performances at Fratelli’s in Bayonne, New Jersey. ? Performances at the Five Spot, Club 200 and Café 111 in Brooklyn, NY in 2005. ? Featured at the Sackett Street Block Party, Summer 2006. ? Performance at Rally Day 2006 in Baisley Park ? Performance at the Seventh Avenue Street Fair, Summer 2006 ? Performed on the Diamante Show on MNN, available on local cable channels in Brooklyn and Manhattan. ? Album available online at iTunes, eMusic, Groove Mobile and Sony Connect in April 2007.JAZZIQUE has had some airplay on internet radio: The Upper Room with Joe Kelly and BSNL, based in the Netherlands. “Nobody”, a jumpy tune with a Reggaton-like beat, “Susceptible”, a ballad, and “Time is Right”

View jazzique's EPK
Influences: My Five: Stevie Wonder, Prince, Elvis Costello, Sting, Mariah Carey. For the long list, you'll need to consult the Sixth Edition of the New Grove Dictionary of Music & Musicians edited by Stanley Satie, and a decent record collection.
Sounds Like: Larry Carlton, Bobby Caldwell, Brain McKnight
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

Who's going to ASCAP?

I wonder who on the MySpace is going to the ASCAP one day thing on Tues? I think I'll ask my friends.
Posted by on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:55:00 GMT

Movie Morality

Watching the Oscars was rather exciting for me, much moreso than the Grammys, which were a little disappointing. I was intrigued to see how many movies were nominated and won that were foreign or made...
Posted by on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:22:00 GMT

Bone is about to come out

My nickname as a kid was "Bone", on the account that I was real skinny. I got on the scale today,and I was 194 pounds. No longer bony.Bone could mean the fact that I have broken several bones as this ...
Posted by on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:46:00 GMT

The fear of needing others

As I refocus my energies towards getting my message out to the masses, I begin to realize just how important a team is to this type of work.  It is not surprising that so many artists and actors ...
Posted by on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:35:00 GMT

Make it Work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie7ngYP-4Cw
Posted by on Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:21:00 GMT

Take a Stand!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRKNNu-5l1k
Posted by on Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:18:00 GMT

In Germany

If you are interested, you can keep track of my exploits in Germany at http://www.bachbaroque.blogspot.com At this rate, things can only get more crazy, or as they say here in the DE, "Krank." bl
Posted by on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:57:00 GMT

mercury in retrograde

This week is sick. If I didn't have so much to do, I would find several large bottles of alcohol, mix them together in a modified Duck Fart, and drink until my liver told me not to. I'm not complanin...
Posted by on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:45:00 GMT

Why Barack Obama is Funny and Not Scary

As we wait for the inevitable annoucement that Barack Obama and Hilary are running together, I am reminded of a prophetic film that touches upon this subject very well, and that film is "Pootie Tang."...
Posted by on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:59:00 GMT

Purgatory - Part One (One Flag, not fun)

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Deuteronomy 5:7)"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33) The first thing Jason ...
Posted by on Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:56:00 GMT