Jai: Biography

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Birth Name:

Jason Rowe

Genre:

Electronic & Dance Music

Decades Active:

1990's

Self-described as "a mod for the hip-hop generation," Jai grew up in the same British village as PJ Harvey and played in a trio whose other two members later formed her first backing band. Born Jason Rowe in Yeovil, England, he was inspired by a variety of musical sources both modern (Kraftwerk, Massive Attack, Public Enemy) and classic (Marvin Gaye, Burt Bacharach). Rowe began playing with a pop band, but when his mates left him to play with PJ Harvey, he moved to London and met up with guitarist/producer Joel Bogen while at a club. The duo began working together, combining Jai's aching falsetto with Bogen's arranging skills, inherited from rock roll sources as well as traditional pop, soul and jazz. After assembling a three-track demo tape -- including a version of Gershwin's "Summertime" -- Jai signed to the small British label MG and released his debut single "Don't Give Me Away" in January 1997. The single did well in England as well as the continent, and several impressive live shows (with a full band) enhanced Jai's image as a cocktail pop singer for the 1990s. He signed to RCA, and released his debut album Heaven late in 1997.

- John Bush, All Music Guide