If you are familiar with THE ISLEY BROTHERS, then you know Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, CHRIS JASPER, an integral member of THE ISLEY BROTHERS during the 1970s and 1980s—their gold and platinum years—from the 3+3 (1973) to Between the Sheets (1983) albums. These were the years when THE ISLEY BROTHERS were a self-produced, self-contained group.

If you are familiar with THE ISLEY BROTHERS, then you have heard the music of CHRIS JASPER, who was primarily responsible for writing, arranging and producing all of THE ISLEY BROTHERS music during this time, including such beautiful love songs as “For The Love of You” and “Between the Sheets” and uptempo funk such as “Fight the Power.” His arrangements and instrumentation as a classically-trained musician, and his expertise on the keyboards and synthesizers, are the foundation of the legendary “Isley Brothers Sound.” When the six members of THE ISLEY BROTHERS disbanded (1984), Marvin and Ernie Isley joined CHRIS JASPER and formed ISLEY-JASPER-ISLEY. Without this crucial musical component, THE ISLEY BROTHERS were no longer a self-produced, self-contained group.

CHRIS JASPER brought his “unique sound” and musical talents to ISLEY-JASPER-ISLEY, and topped the charts singing lead vocals on “Caravan of Love” (1985), a song that was covered by English recording group, the Housemartins, an international #1 pop hit. “Caravan” was also used in commercials as part of a Dodge Caravan advertising campaign. He was also awarded a CEBA Award For Excellence for a Miller Brewing Company commercial. The music for that commercial formed the basis for “Brother to Brother” from the “Different Drummer” album, which supported the anti-apartheid struggle going on in South Africa at that time. His music has also been used in radio and television commercials, including “Who’s That Lady” (Swiffer) and “Between The Sheets” (L’Oreal).

When ISLEY-JASPER-ISLEY disbanded (1987), CHRIS JASPER brought his “unique sound” to his own solo projects, topping the charts with “SuperBad,” a song promoting the value of education.  CHRIS JASPER has continued to write songs and produce his own R&B and Gospel music, as well as other artists, for his independent record label, Gold City Records.

CHRIS JASPER’s music has been covered and sampled by hundreds of new and established recording artists, including Whitney Houston, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Fantasia, Will Smith, Alliyah, Queen Latifah, Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Natalie Cole, Jaheim, Kendrick Lamar, and the list goes on and on.  His music has also been used in many movie and television soundtracks.

In 1992, CHRIS JASPER, along with the other members of THE ISLEY BROTHERS, was inducted into the ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME and in 2014, received a GRAMMY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. In 2015, CHRIS JASPER received the German Record Critics Lifetime Achievement Award ("Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik"). In 2016, Chris was awarded the National R&B Society Lifetime Achievement Award. Chris also received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award and numerous ASCAP awards.

BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION

Chris Jasper was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 30, 1951, the youngest of seven siblings. While growing up in Cincinnati, Chris studied classical piano starting at the age of 7 years old. After graduating from high school in Cincinnati, he moved to New York to study music composition at the Juilliard School of Music.

Chris received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music composition from C.W. Post College in New York, where he studied under noted jazz pianist and composer, Dr. Billy Taylor. He subsequently received a Juris Doctorate degree from Concord University School of Law.

THE JASPER/ISLEY CONNECTION

The Jasper and Isley families lived in the same apartment complex in Cincinnati, Ohio. Chris’s older sister, Elaine, married Rudolph Isley. The three older Isley brothers, Rudolph, O’Kelly and Ronald, formed a vocal trio (“The Isley Brothers”) and relocated to Teaneck, New Jersey.

While temporarily living in New Jersey as a teenager, Chris and the two younger Isley brothers, Marvin and Ernie, formed a band, “The Jazzmen Trio”, that played locally in New Jersey. Chris played keyboards, Ernie played drums and Marvin played the bass. Along with Chris, Ernie and Marvin also attended C.W. Post College in New York. While in college, Chris, Marvin and Ernie played on the older Isley Brothers recordings, including “It’s Your Thing”.

THE ISLEY BROTHERS YEARS

In 1973, Chris, Marvin and Ernie brought the songwriting and musical component to the older brothers vocal trio, making The Isley Brothers, a self-produced, self-contained six-member group. Their debut release as a 6-member band on their CBS-associated label was the 3+3 album.

Although all 6 members of the Isley Brothers are credited as songwriters on the music from this era, this was a business arrangement and does not reflect the creative reality. Chris was the primary songwriter/musician, producer and arranger of The Isley Brothers music from 1973 (“3+3”) through 1983 (“Between the Sheets”), with contributions by younger members Ernie and Marvin Isley. Chris’s arrangements and instrumentation as a classically-trained musician, and his expertise on the keyboards, synthesizers and other instruments, have been credited as the foundation of the legendary “Isley Brothers Sound.” In 1984, the 6-member group disbanded due to internal problems.

ISLEY-JASPER-ISLEY

In 1984, Chris, Marvin and Ernie formed Isley-Jasper-Isley, a self-produced, self-contained trio, with Chris as the lead singer of the group, continuing his role as the primary songwriter/musician, producer and arranger. Isley-Jasper-Isley recorded 3 albums on their CBS-associated label, and earned recognition with their #1 hit, “Caravan of Love”. “Caravan” was covered by English recording group, the Housemartins, who made the song an international #1 hit.

SOLO CAREER

In 1987, Isley-Jasper-Isley disbanded and Chris embarked on a solo career. Chris formed his record label, Gold City Records, and released two albums as a CBS-associated label. His debut single, “Superbad” reached #1 on the R&B charts. Eventually, Marvin and Ernie returned to record under the Isley Brothers group name, and Chris continued his solo career, releasing a total of 15 solo albums to date, including 4 urban contemporary gospel CDs.

Chris has also produced a number of artists for his Gold City label, and has worked with such notable artists as Chaka Khan, writing and producing a song for her CK album (“Make It Last”). Chris’s music has been covered and sampled by numerous new and established recording artists, including Whitney Houston, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Fantasia, Will Smith, Alliyah, Queen Latifah, Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Natalie Cole, Jaheim, Kendrick Lamar, and the list goes on and on.

Chris works closely with his son, Michael Jasper, who released his debut album “Addictive” on the Gold City label at the age of 16 in 2010. “Addictive” was written and recorded by Michael, and co-produced by Chris. In 2017, Michael released "Make It" from his forthcoming CD “Dreams.” Chris and Michael are currently working on a film score for an original screenplay by Michael Jasper.

Chris has received numerous gold and platinum albums and music industry awards, including the BET lifetime achievement award and many ASCAP awards for his songwriting. In 1992, Chris, along with the other members of The Isley Brothers, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and in 2014 received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2015, Chris received the German Record Critics Lifetime Achievement Award ("Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik"). In 2016, Chris was awarded the National R&B Society Lifetime Achievement Award.

Chris and his wife of 36 years, Margie, live in New York.

DISCOGRAPHY

ISLEY BROTHERS YEARS

3+3 (CBS) 1973

Live It Up (CBS) 1974

The Heat Is On (CBS) 1975

Harvest For The World (CBS) 1976

Go For Your Guns (CBS) 1977

Showdown (CBS) 1978

Winner Takes All (CBS) 1979

Go All The Way (CBS) 1980

Grand Slam (CBS) 1981

Inside You (CBS) 1981

The Real Deal (CBS) 1982

Between The Sheets (CBS) 1983

ISLEY-JASPER-ISLEY YEARS

Broadway’s Closer to Sunset Boulevard (CBS) 1984

Caravan of Love (CBS) 1985

Different Drummer (CBS) 1986

SOLO PROJECTS

Superbad (Gold City/CBS Associated) 1988

Time Bomb (Gold City/CBS Associated) 1989

Praise the Eternal (Gold City) 1992

Deep Inside (Gold City) 1994

Faithful & True (Gold City) 2002

Best of Chris Jasper…With Love (Gold City) 2003

Amazing Love (Gold City) 2005

Invincible (Gold City) 2007

Everything I Do (Gold City) 2010

Inspired (Gold City) 2013

Thank You Jesus (Gold City) 2014

The One (Gold City) 2014

The Essential Chris Jasper (Gold City/Sony Legacy) 2015

Share With Me (Gold City) 2016

Dance With You (Gold City) (July 2018)

For The Love Of You (Gold City) (October 2019)

PRODUCTION

Title/Artist/Label

Vicious & Fresh (Liz Hogue) (Gold City/CBS) 1989

Out Front (Out Front) (Gold City) 1995

Brotha 2 Brotha (Brothaz By Choice) (Gold City) 1998

Make It Last (Chaka Khan “CK” album) (WB) 1989

Addictive (Michael Jasper) (Gold City) 2010

Harvest For The World (Average White Band) (Average Enterprises) (2017)

Make It (Michael Jasper) (Gold City) (2017)

LISTEN TO CHRIS'S NEW TRACK HERE NOW

FOR BOOKING AND MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

GOLD CITY MUSIC

Telephone: 914-533-5096/Fax: 914-533-5097/Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Chris Jasper’s Official Website: ChrisJasper.com

Chris Jasper on Facebook: Facebook.com/Chris.H.Jasper

Chris Jasper Fanpage: www.Facebook.com/CHJasper/Twitter: @RealChrisJasper

Gold City Music Website: GoldCityMusic.com/

Gold City Music Facebook: Facebook.com/GoldCityMusic

Reggae lovers - oh boy - we've got an extra long special treat coming for you !  Every Wednesday at 00:00 hrs Eastern (Tuesdays 9pm Pacific), African FM broadcasts the Reggae Supershow with Dubstar.  NON STOP reggae tunes back to back - with no chat - every week.

It's a bass blast - so turn up the volume, tell your friends and join the party !

Reggae Supershow airs every Wednesday at 00:00 hrs Eastern / 5am UK / (Tuesdays 9pm Pacific)

Welcome to the wonderful world of African FM - your global African orientated online radio station. We've been in operation since 2001. In fact, we're one of the longest established Afri-centric global stations around!  Staffed completely by volunteer broadcasters - many with distinguished careers on radio stations all over the world, we bring the widest range of entertainment and news to the diaspora. We think we must be doing something right as we're the most popular African station on the world's number one radio player app - Tunein - with over 21,600 followers.  Add to that over 16,000 monthly listeners from over 150 countries - and now you begin to get the idea about our 'radio family'.  Why not join in the fun today !

In the aftermath of Kehinde Lijadu’s death, PAM celebrate their unique music which rocked Nigeria and beyond in past times.

Kehinde Lijadu, one half of the legendary Lijadu Sisters duo, has died following a cancer battle. Aged 71, she was said to have suffered a stroke, after a long battle with illness. The news was announced by her twin sister and bandmate, Taiwo, who expressed deep sorrow, writing that, “A tree has fallen! Kehinde was my light, my love, my soul mate… my everything. I am bereft and will miss her dearly.” A GoFundMe has been started to crowdsource for her Memorial Service. 

This great loss has drawn condolences from the public, amongst fans and friends alike. Tee Mac, the renowned flautist who made music with them wrote on social media, that “Kehinde Lijadu left us and sings in heaven now.” Others, like the writer and movie director Biyi Bandele have also shared heartfelt tributes. 

Anyone remotely familiar with Nigerian music of the 70s must have come across the name Lijadu Sisters. Made up of identical twin sisters Taiwo and Kehinde, the group found massive mainstream success, making music that incorporated varying genres like reggae, soul, disco and psychedelic rock. Their themes were politically-charged, though they did make music that was socially relevant, and engaged in the trivialities of their time.

They earned international acclaim in 1976 when their hit single, “Danger,” saw them touring in the UK and made them the first female exports out of Nigeria, with no male retinue or male band mates. Around this period, they would work with musical royalty: King Sunny Ade and Jimi Solanke. They also performed with Ginger Baker & Salt at the World Music Festival during the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.

The Lijadu Sisters, who grew up in Ibadan, were highly popular in Nigeria in the 1970s and mid-1980s. Their faces were constant features on radio and TV at the time. In the mid 80s, they relocated to the US and lived in seclusion, and almost never made music again. They would later become priestesses, but not before there was some renewed appreciation in their music this decade. This brought reissues of their music and performances alongside stars such as David Byrne, Damon Albarn, and Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor.