My Life Is So Sporadic

I received a Skype chat pop-up message some weeks ago from a good friend – a trendy underground fashion world guru (living here in Amsterdam). She mentioned that a contact of hers was searching for a dark-toned, presentable gentleman to be a part of a special photo shoot. She forwarded me the contact’s information, only for me to find out that it was an industry shoot PR stunt for the movie “Bruno”.

The details that the contact gave me were VERY vague so as not to blow the “cover” of the whole project. Shoots and events like these are usually quite confidential so I was not surprised nor did I push the contact for extra details. After receiving misleading clues that this shoot was related to an exclusive movie premiere of a Black American actor/comedian that had gained acclaim in recent years, I FINALLY THOUGHT I had put the pieces to the puzzle.

It was Terrence Howard known for his works in Hustle & Flow (2005) & Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005). Well, unfortunately it was not! Nor did the gig entail much wearing much clothing on the set either.

Yes, I was one of various brown-skinned men posing in The Pinklight District concept in Amsterdam last June 19, 2009. Gratefully, I was out of range for the cameras and paparazzi that roared when show time came and we had to raise the curtains. (Also, grateful that I was not a real escort and that it WAS just all fun and games.) My get-up was extremely tight and uncomfortable!

Remnants of this PR stunt were published in various periodicals all worldwide everywhere I looked that vey next morning. The exclusive and official “red carpet” event would follow that evening. The extravagant movie opening took place at the Tuschinski Theatre; near the infamous Rembrandtplein, where Rembrandt’s statue stands over 3-meters tall, overseeing the special occasion. Bruno (also known as Borat) was also in attendance.

A day in my sporadic life….

JahOfYork

Launching: The Jump Project

One week ago from today, I had the pleasure of opening up for Leyla T. Rosario's first international exhibition of her installation, The Jump Project at Melkweg Gallery in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I actually got to the space a whole hour before the Gallery doors opened. Luckily I invited everyone and hour earlier so that they would be present for the speeches Leyla, Suzanne Dechert and I made to set the evening off RIGHT.

Suzanne gathered everyone near the podium facing the Marnixstraat window view with the American Hotel in sight and started. She briefly spoke of how she came to know Leyla and of her work. Then, she introduced myself, the only model from all of the portraits that was blessed to actually be present for the occasion.

My opening speech was called "Leyla, Jump, The Shoot, Irony And Beyond…" and it went a little something like this:

Firstly, I would like to open up with saying that the WHOLE Jump Project experience has been a true blessing and opportunity of ordinance.

All of you MAY be standing in this room and asking, Well, what does he mean by ordinance? What I mean is, this exhibition and project was meant to happen. It is a very special occasion that would not have been possible without “great minds” thinking alike. It would have been impossible if we all were not in tune and in alignment with one another.

(Look to audience)…with one ANOTHER!! Yes this project is not just about Leyla, Myself or the Melkweg. This project is not even so much about being an international creation of ingenious proportion.

THIS is about ordinary people like US and how we can come together under the most random, rarely intentional and sometimes, most weirdest circumstances! Kind of the way I met many of you guys joining me today. (Chuckle)

How did I meet Leyla T. Rosario?

Well, I was on Craigslist Amsterdam the spring before last- by the way Craigslist is the American Marktplaats for free-advert sites etc. – and I responded to an advertisement of an American photographer who was in search of fresh new meat for her photography project. At first, I was skeptical being that there are an equal amount of fake ads as there are legit ones on the website and it is often a gamble. A gamble that you actually might not acquire the RIGHT opportunity!

Prior to my receiving her reply with a direct link to her website and project, I was a bit in doubt. I had shifted into a NYC state of mind and thought to myself, What if this is some cracked-out, base-out craigslist freak scammer who:

-makes an attempt at trying to steal my identity,
-hack my email address
-or worst; meet up with me in some wet dark Amsterdam alley and bust a bottle of European bubble water over my head and strip me of all my eurocents.

Needless to say, the dollar conversion was already still diminishing by the weeks!

Regardless, I took the risk. I figured if a 21-year old Bronx boy like me could relocated my based to Amsterdam, Netherlands back in 2005 with about $200 to his name… the hope that his Antillean father’s biological family would receive him after being absent for 18 years and surviving a deadly web of Amsterdam’s bus, tram and bikeways…

That YES, WE CAN…take a few photos (and even carry a hidden cork screw for protection, just in case)!

Well, Leyla replied with her full name and link to The Jump Project. It was absolutely breathtaking! We emailed back and forth quite a bit. She and found out that I was a singe building an unconventional album project in Amsterdam. We both discovered that we were both Bronx, NYC natives. The irony grew as we exchanged information, and found out we grew up only a few blocks away from each other. I also found out that she went to my best friend’s high school back on 46th Street in Manhattan (right around the corner from my performing arts high school on 43rd Street). I have shown them both of them pictures of each other and although they are two years apart, they can both confirm each other’s faces to be familiar. The deeper irony is that I Leyla’s mother used to work in the newborns department back in December 1983. I was born on December 31st, 1983!

By the time, the shooting for The Jump Project was about to take off, Leyla and I had already developed a strong bond and trust which, made everything run as smooth as a baby’s bottom.
Rosina Majid, a good friend of mine from England who I met here in Amsterdam in 2006, had accompanied me that foggy and wet Amsterdam afternoon at the top of the NEMO Museum near Amsterdam’s Central Station. This is when met Leyla in-person for the first time. Her boyfriend, Chris (who is a diligent supporter) and the camera crew, who were also from friends from England were also there!

We got busy and JUMPED.
I felt so free like a bird gliding in the wind.
Thankfully, not gliding into the Amsterdam’s IJ body of water.
Nonetheless, it was space-like. I almost felt like an astronaut discovering a new planet.
The subtle breeze created just the right ambiance and I could see all of Amsterdam’s glory and grace.

Now, I came close to slipping a few times while jumping and I could have ended up at the base of the NEMO’s very long staircase. However, I just imagined it was my red carpet. And it WAS!

After having so many interesting conversations and connecting with Leyla and her crew through the shoot, our time was up. Leyla and Chris had to get ready for their flight back home the next day. I honestly didn’t know where the project would end up but, I DID know one thing…that it would end up in the RIGHT places for the RIGHT people to see!!!

Sure enough, a few months later, Leyla contacted me by e-mail, to inform me that The Jump Project would be hosted by the Melkweg Gallery, here in Amsterdam in the New Year. I was bouncing off the walls and began to promote it within my network of family, friends, and fans immediately thereafter.

The future: who knows what it has in store? I personally know that I made the RIGHT choice in coming to Amsterdam four years ago to meet a great talented individual that only use to live a few blocks away from me whom I might NOT have met otherwise…to meet the wonderful musical talents that are backing me up as I forge through with my own self-initiated album project entitled, Stay Tuned releasing before the summer is out.

All in all, know that this will not be the last you see and hear of The Jump Project. Know that this is indeed JUST the beginning. Know that if one of YOU were not here this evening, then maybe Leyla and I wouldn’t be either. This all attests to the fact that if you can:

-focus,
-create goals
-realistically strategize
-take risks
-figure out what you want

…and just go for it, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
Thank you Leyla and Crew, Thank you Melkweg, thank you ALL for this opportunity and for motivating me to take my life, art and ordinance to a totally NEW FRONTIER.

Leyla was stunned and almost cried. As she went up thanking me for what she though would be a short blurb, I could see the emotion and amount of humility running through her veins. She said a few lines and we continued with our festivities!


We had wine and simply talked and luaghed the afternoon away while re-living the shoot, organizing the event and actually enjoying it. People LOVED IT and were showing up even as the gallery doors were closing for the night.

What a wonderful event so many friends and associates new and old came out to support. Amongst many was Amsterdam FUNX Radio's presenter - Aziza, DJ Full Crate, THE Londonite -Eve, Natasja Arie, Nathalie van der Hoeven, English/Dutch Lyricist- ShockNSuprize, Australian singer/writer/humanitarian - Jordan Reilly, Eindhoven Producer- Funktional J, Promoter/organizer- Andrew Hiwat, Amsterdam Producer - ThePrinceOfBeatz, my good friends - Amine, Angele, Karolina, Bart and sooooooo many more.

A group of us dined in the cafe for dinner with Leyla and Chris, her companion and support. The stories - immaculate, the irony continued on and so many great connections were made.

You can see Leyla's work of myself and many others who volunteered to jump for her at the Melkweg Gallery until July 5th, 2009.

The JUMP Project Exhibition 2009 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands from Leyla Rosario on Vimeo.

JahOfYork’s “Stay Tuned“ Album

So here is the rundown...

JahOfYork’s
“Stay Tuned “Album Playlist includes:

1 – Unexpected (Produced by S. Felomina)
2 – Need Fresh (Produced by Chillie)
3 – Dispose Of Me (Produced by NelsonDjosa)
4 – Confection Affection (Produced by StephOne)
5 – Ear Candy (Produced by S. Felomina)
6 – I’m Overloaded Ft Shine (Produced by Shine)
7 – We Gotta Sound Ft JahOfYork (Produced by Shine)
8 – NY2Amsterdam Ft Shine (Produced by Shine)
9 – It Comes Back (Produced by Shine)
10 – Ventilation (Dispose Of Me Pt.2) (Produced by Funktional J)
11 – Magic Touch (Produced by Funktional J)
12 – Top Of My Brain (Bonus Track: Produced by ThePrinceOfBeatz)

Check most of the 'pre-edited' version of the album on www.myspace.com/jahofyork page!

If you like, spread page luv, tell ya friends and add…

Stay tuned to this blog for updates and upcoming projects...

There will be a date at the end of June giving you the opportunity to purchase and download. If you would like a hard copy or are a booker please send an email to: jahofyork@gmail.com with all of your relevant details so that a formal copy maybe sent to you.

-Stay tuned to yourself, friends, family, your God through struggle in the midst of pursuit of happiness.

JahOfYork

What is at the 'Top Of My Brain'?

Top Of My Brain, talks about the state of affairs in this day and age. I talk about the economy and how people need to understand that this whole meltdown is just a phase...That after every storm there IS light! The song brushes upon my best friend being in the service, based in Korea (while I, myself am in Amsterdam) and trying to make the best of these tough times.

The work directly encourages listeners to "be proactive, NOT procras-then-hate", and how they need to be grateful for what they DO have left. Even if it means just waking up in the morning!

This is all under a more general concept of what is on the 'Top Of My Brain', (referring to the cerebrums of listeners). Also, my own at times!!

It is a very uptempo song for the clubs, definitely a winner as far as being commercial goes. I can easily say it is comparable to a message and musicality that Janelle Monae might put out.

Top Of My Brain is a very diverse song. I almost didn't recognize my own song at first...hahaha. Nonetheless, it is a vocal 4-minute song, full of color and soul. The instrumental is mixed of Urban Electronica, Techno and R&B sounds. I even get a my voice "TrAnSfOrMeRed-out" (wink) towards the end of the track to make a protruding statement.

The instrumental is a very playful yet intricately-made beat and melody by a producer I was introduced to a few months ago at an Amsterdam club. The audio mastermind is named Humphrey "Prince Of Beatz" Themen. A polished young chap, (like myself :P) however, of Suriname roots. He is HIGHLY versatile in that he can create a story with almost any genre of music. He has a Euro-American sensibility with regards to music, is very rhythmic and attended SAE school of Audio Arts and Engineering. This brotha is definitely easy to work with, knows what he is doing and is simply FAYA. The Prince has taken my sound to a brand new level.

'Top Of My Brain' is a journey inspired and TRULY produced by Humphrey, The Prince Of Beats himself... Lyrics are all my own along with vocal rhythms, harmonies and arrangements.

'Top Of My Brain' is due to release as an EP track on a greater Dutch project sometime in in the early summer 2009. This song can also be found on my up and coming album 'Stay Tuned'.

Dispose Of Me and The Sequel

Today, I am proud to have recorded part two to 'Dispose Of Me' a special featured song on my Stay Tuned Album. The sequel is called 'Ventilation' produced by Jermaine 'Funktional J' Pinas in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Before I get into details about my sequel, I will give you a background on the original concept.

Originally, 'Dispose Of Me' was a collaborative effort between Nelson&Djosa and myself. Interestingly, I have never had direct contact with the Rotterdam musical duo. However, they do know who I am and that I have laid vocals and my own melody on their track and love it! The track was introduced to me by two gentlemen, Henk Wielzen and Noah over a year ago. Dispose is a chill Brazilian-influenced mid-tempo song which is lead by Drum and Bass instruments. It is NOT D&B music however, falls with under Bass Culture and contains a Latin Jazz twist.

'Ventilation' is versitile and has both an American and Latin-American sensibility to it! What inspired the Part 2? It is my first time ever feeling like a song was incomplete so I actually already had the lyrics for Ventilation. I simply sat on the lyrics up until now!

It is a story about me feeling betrayed by a friend (YES, here in Holland)...someone I thought really cared about my best interest. It turned out the individual didn't care and was only interested in his own agenda. It FUCKED me up and I just couldn't about a year! I won't name names but the day will come...

So, now I get to bring ACTUAL closure to this chapter of my life. In this 3-minute track, Funktional and I have compacted elements of Hip-Hop, Jazz, Soul and Latin-style vocals combined with very Pop yet, timeless texts.

Check it out on www.myspace.com/jahofyork

Bless,
JahOfYork

JahOfYork in the 'Four' Feature Film

I am proud to announce that the Trailer to a special feature film project called 'Four' is now online. Written/Directed by Chicagoan, Patrick Wimp, FOUR is an intricate story of various life-troubled characters in yes, four very contrasting cities, Amsterdam being one!

PREMIERE OF 'FOUR' THE MOVIE (FEATURING JAHofYORK)
Wed, June 10th
Doors Open - 7:00 PM
Program starts - 7:30 PM
Ends - 9:00 PM
Admission: $5.00

The Venue/address:
Musicbox Theatre
3733 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL

I invite you all to view the trailer:

http://fourthemotionpicture.com/trailer.htm

Enjoy!!

Me, going for the Directors-look...even though I'm no director...lol!

You're invited to THE reception of 2009 @ Melkweg Gallery, Amsterdam June 4th

Save the date!

"The JUMP Project Exhibition" showcasing at the Melkweg Galerie in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (featuring ME, JahOfYork!!)

Reception party: June 4th, 2009 (4-6PM) - Meet mastermind, Photographer and Visualist, Leyla T. Rosario and I in person. Catch me in mid-air starting June 5th.

Exhibition dates: June 5th - July 5th, 2009

Melkweg Galerie
Lijnbaansgracht 234a
1017 Amsterdam Netherlands
Entrance is via cafe Marnixstraat 409

Hours of operation: Wednesday-Sunday, 13:00-20:00

Phone: +31 (0)20 531 8181
Website: www.melkweg.nl

About The JUMP Project:

"The JUMP Project is a travel/portraiture series in which Leyla Tatiana Rosario utilizes her camera to represent individuals expressing a high level of energy, happiness, strength, grace, and/or agility within their environment. The intention is to build an atmospheric visual record that will connect the viewer with subjects of various ethnicities and professions from urban to remote settings. Skewed from photographing current economic and political conflicts, Leyla works to capture a different perspective of life. This project is created in order to galvanize a country/city's historical landmarks, architecture, landscapes, and to encourage the public to see a distinctive side of someone. The vision is to exhibit a global collection of images that will convey the human elements, which define a person's disposition and self-expression. This body of work is a growing thesis that dignifies the everyday luminary, such as our nurses, artists, herdsmen, activists, musicians, lawyers, teachers, students, children, etc. Over 20 people living within Amsterdam, Hawaii, London, Morocco, New York, California, Philadelphia, and Seattle were photographed so far."

SEARCH ON FACEBOOK FOR: 'JahOfYork features in the Melkweg Gallery Amsterdam' TO RSVP!