J. Sylvester

Artist Information

Biography

J. Sylvester explores the Contemporary Jazz field in his first ever debut CD “Inside Out” under PobamMusic LLC, one of the most soul-filled, upcoming neo-jazz saxophonists. He was inspired by such saxophonists like Johnny Griffin, Dexter Gordon, Stanley Turrentine, Hank Crawford, Grover Washington Jr., David Sanborn, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, and Everett Harp. J Sylvester’s has worked hard to establish a style of his own. His CD “Inside Out” exudes his passion from the first track to the last. Audiences are going to be easily seduced by the tone of his instrument.




Joseph Sylvester Davis III was born in Danville, Illinois. Having grown up in a minister’s household, Joseph started playing drums and saxophone in the church band at the age of 12. As saxophone began to gain more of his interest, he pursued the learning of that instrument more in Jr. High School. In 1985 he moved to Memphis, TN with his mother. This was the beginning of his journey to learning what “The Memphis Sound” truly meant. Joseph soon learned music theory from his high school band director Mr. Walter Banks. Although being offered several different musical scholarships from various schools, Joseph made the decision to pass on college to join the US Marine Corps. He auditioned for (and made) the military jazz band. The military opted to place him where they needed him. This discouraged him but he did not give up. He continued to play his saxophone throughout his 4 year military enlistment in the Marine Corps. After completing his 4 years of service, Joseph returned back to Memphis in 1994. This is when he got the courage to try out his craft on the stage. He went from venue to venue “sitting in” with various musicians. This was like going to “school” for him. Joseph was very determined to learn the numerous styles of blues and jazz. He began to learn from such saxophonists as the legendary Fred Ford (Founder of PobamMusic), Dr. Bill Heard, Donald Hayes, and Pat Register. He would later go on to learn from local jazz guitarist Marlon Branch and keyboardist Tony Black. In 1995 Joseph was asked to tour with the Rambo-McQuire ministry team from Nashville, TN. This led him to numerous opportunities, including appearances on TBN. So in 2000 Joseph moved to Nashville, TN. Joseph continued to “sit in” various venues in Nashville, TN, where he learned how to incorporate straight ahead jazz at “3rd and Lindsey”. He learned from saxophonist Rock Williams and Rod Allen. He returned back to Memphis, TN in 2002. His playing was vibrant and strong when he returned back to Memphis. Memphis proved to be Jazz dormant.




J. Sylvester moved from Memphis, Tennessee to Houston, Texas to further advance his career as a professional saxophonist. He established a very loyal following at venues like Isaac Hayes' Restaurant, New Direction's Soul Café, the infamous Beale Street, GoldStrike Casino (Tunica, MS) and Sam's Town Casino(Shreveport, LA). Since his arrival to Houston, J. Sylvester has the honor of performing on stages of Scott Gertner's Skybar, The Red Cat Jazz Café, 57 West and Grooves Restaurant and Lounge and performing with local musicians such as the incomparable Kyle Turner, Dean James, and The Joe Carmouche Band. Signed to PobamMusic, his eponymous debut album “Inside Out’ was released August 2009.

Instrumentation

J. Sylvester- Tenor, Alto, and Soprano Saxophones. Also the Yamaha WX5 EWI w/ VL70m sound module. Marlon Branch- Guitarist, Yvette "Babygirl" Preyer- Drummer, James Kinard- Bass, Randy Morris-Percussion, Norris Johnson-Keyboardist.

Discography

1. Memphis Bounce
2. One Thing For Certain
3. Suite Seduction
4. Inside Out
5. Light Of The Day
6. What Kind Of Man Would
I Be
7. Traffic Jam
8. Let's Get Close
9. Loving You
10. Midnight Flight 713
11. Let's Get Close (Radio
Edit)


Newly released "Inside Out." The title track is receiving airplay on 55 radio stations across the US.

Links

• Last.fm
• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace

Audio

• Inside Out
  Listen   Download
• Suite Seduction
  Listen   Download
• One Thing For Certain
  Listen   Download
• Light Of The Day
  Listen   Download

Video

J. Sylvester "Live in Memphis"

Photo Gallery

Press

• CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  Welcome to Monday If you are a BIG Jazz fan…You must purchase J. Sylvester CD, called Inside Out....Welcome to Monday
  
  If you are a BIG Jazz fan…You must purchase J. Sylvester CD, called Inside Out.
  
  AWESOME! The music on this CD is impossible for any jazz fan to resist.
  
  John and I attended by invitation from the CEO, Jamil Ford, of POBAM Music to the release party on Saturday. My favorite songs on the album are "Suite Seduction" and "Midnight Flight 713" featuring Kyle Turner. It is fascinating to see how J. Sylvester music evolving musical polymath. His saxophone focused on composition along with the band.
  
  The Memphis family was definitely in the house.
  
  To purchase the cd .

Setlist

I usually do 3 sets. 45 minutes a set with a 15 minute break. My typical repertoire varies from R&B to Jazz depending on the audience that I am entertaining. It also consists of my original material. An example of my set list is as follows:


What’s Goin On- Marvin Gaye
Inner City Blues- Marvin Gaye
Winelight- Grover Washington, Jr.
Mr. Magic- Grover Washington, Jr.
Black Frost- Grover Washington, Jr.
Summertime
Four- Miles Davis
Footprints- Wayne Shorter
Contemplation- McCoy Tyner
Caravan- Duke Ellington
Never Can Say Goodbye- Michael J.
Rock With You- Michael J.
The World Is A Ghetto- Maze
We Are One- Maze
Can’t Hide Love- EWF
Devotion- EWF
Reasons- EWF
September- EWF
So Amazing- Gerald Albright
Don’t Look Any Further- D. Edwards
Anniversary- Gerald Albright
Over The Rainbow- Kirk Whalum
Do You Feel Me- Kirk Whalum
If Only For One Night- Luther V.
Never Too Much- Luther V.
Not Gon’ Cry- Mary J. Blige
Be Without You- Mary J. Blige
My, My, My- Johnny Gill
Anytime, Anyplace- Janet Jackson
That’s The Way Love Goes- Janet J.
Come Back To Me- Janet Jackson
People Make The World Go Around
Chameleon- Herbie Hancock
End Of The Road- Boyz II Men
Can We Talk- Tevin Campbell
I Cant Stop Loving You- Kem
Sara Smile- Hall & Oates
Been So Long- Anita Baker
Sweet Love- Anita Baker
Easy- Lionel Richie
Tell Me (That You Still Care)- SOS
Flight Time- Art Porter
KGB- Art Porter
Pick Up The Pieces- AWB
Lights Down Low- Boney James
Bleeker Street- Boney James
Ride- Boney James
I Wish- Stevie Wonder
Ribbon In The Sky- Stevie Wonder
Send One Your Love- Stevie Wonder
Step In The Name In Love- R. Kelly
Bed- J. Holiday
Is It The Way- Jill Scott
Lyzel Eb- Jill Scott
Ascension- Maxwell
Sumthin, Sumthin- Maxwell
Lady Marmalade- Patti LaBelle
If Only You Knew- Patti LaBelle
Love- Musiq Soulchild
Yearning For Your Love- Gap Band
For The Love Of You- Isley Brothers
Spain- Chick Corea
Caravan- Duke Ellington

Basic Requirements

Calendar