jabari

Jabari Grover

Interview 12 November 2004

Hey Jabari, how you doing.

I'm good Mike, Thanks

Tell me a bit about yourself, where your from, background, family, you’re in Atlanta now, is that where you’re from.

No I'm not from Atlanta; I was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I grew up In a very musical family. As a matter of fact that's one of my
Brothers playing the acoustic guitar on the title track of the CD (When I'm With You)
But, I've been in the ATL for about 17 years and six of those years I commuted between the ATL and the NYC (New York) because my sister and I along with some talented cats from South America and Malaysia had a music production company there.

Seems to be quite a lot going on in Atlanta right now. Some good new talent, are you seeing that? Is that a true reflection, and who should be be looking out for.

Atlanta is on fire there's a gang of hot talent UNDERGROUND WORLDWIDE we don't call it Hotlanta for nothing. When I think of some of the talent here a female vocalist name Tiffany Davis she's the wife of my writing partner Phil Davis and she's the truth then there's a young brother name Keith Jones a very soulful brother, he is a singer's (singer). You feel me.

You’ve been a full time singer songwriter for 10 years or so. How’s it working out. Tell me about some of the things that you have one – you’ve done some stuff with Walter Beasley

It's had its ups and downs but I would like to believe there have been more ups than downs.
I co-wrote tracks 2&7 on Walter's 2003 release (Go with the Flow). I also, co-wrote Pop and R&B group (Color Me Badd) in the late nineties.

And some soundtrack work.

Yea, the soundtrack and jingle work helped pay the rent in the early and mid-nineties.
I look forward to doing more soundtrack work in the near future cause in this business you want to stay busy as much as possible.

And you’ve been doing some good support work. Tell me about this.

The support work was just being blessed to have been in contact with certain industry people. For example In 1992 while performing in Osaka Japan with my band doing a lot of the club venues Chaka Khan came to town and my bass player at the time was a close friend to her Musical Director so I was able to open one night for her. All the other support stuff was by chance also. I was 18 years old when I open for the late great (Johnny Taylor).

Whilst doing all this you’ve been working on your own things, what’s the vision and the goal for yourself.

My goal has always been to share my God given musical gifts to inspire humanity to excercise more love and peace while on this journey of life.

Tell me about the album When I’m with you. Whats happening with it in the US. How does that work? How did you put it all together and how long has it taken.

The CD (When I'm With You) is doing pretty good but of course I want to get it into more hands and ears.

It took me about a year to complete, as you know when your working independently it takes a little longer. But, one of the good things about that is you have time to get the right people involved with what your doing; such as the musicians who participated on the CD. Phil Davis who co-wrote and co-produced the CD he and I have been writing together for over ten years and were still writing so, look out!

How did you hook up with Ralph, and how’s it looking.

I hooked up with Ralph through Mike Ward of Inda Soul Promotions there in the UK and I was fortunate to meet him through Moses Daily a music promoter here in Atlanta. It was funny because, after introducing the licensing agreement to my attorney I learned that he was already working with Ralph on another project. So, everything was quite easy to finalize and get the ball to rolling.

Do you know much about the soul scene in the UK.

I've been into the soul scene there every since groups like Loose Ends, Sade, Measha Perry, Brand New Heavies, Incognito, Omar and Julie Dexter who is now residing here in Atlanta. What a treat!

Tracks like I’ll be around will sell the album in the UK, because they will get some modern soul club plays

Yea, (Seasons) is one of my favorites also, because I wrote it for my wife and (Pocket Full of Dreams) because I wrote that one for my son and daughter.

Who are you’re influences bit of jazz in there and smooth quality soul

There are a few: Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Franky Beverly, George Benson, Marvin Gaye, Al Jerau and Luther Vandross to name a few.

Where do you draw from lyrically, personal experience.

Yea very personal, But I study how to arrange most of my music by listening to other artist, like Maurice White (Earth Wind and Fire) Bluey (Incognito) and Leon Russell.

Are you pleased with the outcome

I am quite please with my first CD but, I am not at all feeling like I'm there if you know what I mean. There is a gang of work to be done.

And whats happening now – just promoing the album, or working on the next phase. What can we look forward to

I would like to think that I am doing a good job at promoting the CD. So far I have made sales via my web-site to customers in Africa, Brazil, Spain, Japan, UK and Italy and I hope to tour in those countries soon. When CD #2 drops I will make even more noise.

Aside from the support act stuff do you do much other live work

I do a lot of performing and I plan to step that part of game up. I would like to do a lot more festivals in 2005.

Are you likely to be coming to Europe,

If all goes well business wise, I will be in Europe soon. Can't wait heard a lot of good music coming out of (funky London Town and Manchester) over the years.

Tell me about the Yah - Go, who’s involved and what you doand the different facets to the business.

Yah-Go Entertainment is my baby and right now I am building some wonderful alliances, such as the one I am currently building with your company and many others. Presently I am only pushing my projects but you do remember me mentioning my talented family at the beginning of this interview!

Anything you’d like to add

Mike, I would like you and your organization to know how much I appreciate all the support your showing me. Big, Big UPS to all the soul and jazz communities in the UK
You all have really made the difference in a lot of American Soul Artists lives and I'm glad to finally experience the LOVE first hand.

PEACE AND BLESSINGS,

Jabari Grover

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