Jami Jackson
Alexandria, Virginia, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
August 26, 2008
For Immediate Release
IVY LEAGUE INDIE R&B ARTIST JAMI JACKSON
CARVES OUT HER OWN PATH
Blacque Records Singer/Songwriter Performs in Famed “Music Under New York’ Subway Series, Concerts Around NYC & Appears in New MTVU AIDS Awareness Commercial
NEW YORK, NY...You may have heard the story before. Young girl strikes out from her small town to take the Big City by storm. But in the case of Jami Jackson, it’s no story. It’s reality.
The up-and-coming singer/songwriter was born and bred in Durham, North Carolina. But these days, New York City is her stomping ground—and she’s taken more than just a bite out of the Big Apple. As a graduate of Columbia University with a degree in pre-med studies and psychology, Jami Jackson could have embarked on a sure career in medicine as a doctor. Instead, the 23-year-old is following her lifelong dream to be a professional singer. In the rough-and-tumble entertainment industry, Jackson is doing it her way. By day she works as a research assistant in Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York. By night, this gifted singer is performing all around the Big Apple at such notable venues as The Apollo Theatre, the Nuyorican Poets Café, Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar, and the Bitter End, among others.
The determined do-it-yourselfer even landed a commercial on national TV. It is part of a nationwide AIDS awareness campaign called “Pos Or Not” done in conjunction with MTVU and the Kaiser Foundation. “I heard they were looking for people to appear in the commercial, which helps educate people about HIV/AIDS, so I sent in my material,” says Jackson, who even came up with part of the concept of the commercial. “I made a few suggestions and they used them,” says the singer. In the commercial that has aired on MTV she sings her original song, 'Sista Girl.' This has led to another and larger upcoming project with BET.
When not seen on television, Jackson can currently be spotted in the subways of New York—singing, that is. She was one of the few selected to participate in the city’s legendary “Music Under New York” concert series in which entertainers perform at the various subway stops. She’s been wowing straphangers with her amazing performances. Her next underground shows are: August 30th, 12-3pm at 42nd Street Grand Central Station in the, Mezzanine area and September 6th, 3-6pm at 34th Street Penn Station at the, Long Island Rail Road #2 location are.
Jackson can also be seen at the popular Arts Festival on the Pier, which is sponsored by the Office of Mayor Bloomberg, on September 13th (2-6pm) at Pier 36 on Montgomery Street near the East River. Then on September 17th, Jackson will sing at the private AIDS benefit, LIFEbeat’s Hearts & Voices, 6:15-7pm at the Terrence Cardinal Cooke Center.
Jackson is performing tracks from her new CD, Call My Name on Blacque Records. Available via her Website (www.jamijackson.net), Call My Name is a collection of 10 original songs that explore a range of emotions, from lost love to spiritual inspiration “I like to describe my music as a soulful blend of rock, R&B, and pop that delivers a live and engaging message,” says the innovative singer, who counts among her musical favorites a diverse range of artists—from Alicia Keys and Coldplay to U2 and Amy Winehouse.
In today’s competitive music world, Jackson knows artists have to be fully committed. “We’ve put together the whole package. We have the CD and I have established a solid fan base,” says Jackson, who says if a major label comes knocking she’s ready to talk details. “I want to continue to have creative control but I also want to be clear on royalty splits and the business side,” says Jackson, proving art and business can go hand in hand.
Jackson is living a dream she’s had since age five. As a child and through her teens, Jackson, who also plays piano, performed when and wherever she could--in school and church choirs, talent contests, at football and basketball games. Still, her parents, both professors, didn’t realize the depth of Jackson’s musical aspirations. That was until it came time to select a college. When faced with leaving the safe confines of her North Carolina home for the Big City, Jackson was ready to make the leap. In fact, although she received a scholarship with the University of North Carolina, she opted for Ivy League Columbia mainly because it would put her in the entertainment capital of the world—New York City. “It was a hard decision to forego the scholarship, but if I wanted to sing, I knew I had to be in New York,” says the seemingly fearless young woman. And once she recorded a demo all on her own, her parents were on board with her decision. “After I did that, they realized how serious I was,” recalls Jackson. Soon after her father formed Blacque Records, which allows the new artist to have total control over her music, publishing, marketing and image. “It is very important to me to have this freedom,” says Jackson.
From the television airwaves to the subways of New York City, Jami Jackson is carving out a unique musical path. “Nothing can compare to singing and performing, to writing songs. I love using my voice to connect with people,” says Jackson. “I live to sing.”
For more information, visit www.jamijackson.net or www.myspace.com/jamijacksonmusic. For media requests, please contact, Caesar_Jackson@blacquerecords.com.
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- BlackNews.com; Blacque Records
November 24, 2008
For Immediate Release
JAMI JACKSON SINGER & SONGWRITER TAKES CENTER STAGE
BLACK ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION’S REALITY DOCUMENTARY ~ ARE YOU POSITIVE?
A Candid Profile of 4 Young Adults Challenged With The Epidemic of HIV AIDS - Are You Positive? Scheduled To Air on December 1st @ 7:30PM (EST)
New York, New York… November 24, 2008- Jami Jackson, (www.jamijackson.net) native of North Carolina, came to New York City on a mission. Be purposeful. Stand up for a cause. And, live life. She graduated from Columbia University with a concentration in pre-med and psychology while pursuing her passion for music. At 23, she is juggling a career as a research assistant in Oncology at the prestigious Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital from 9am-5pm. By night, the soulful singer is performing for standing room-only crowds at venues from the Apollo Theatre to the Nuyorican Poets Café, in New York City.
Are You Positive? A reality documentary starring Jami Jackson airs on National AIDS Day, December 1st, 7:30PM (EST) on the popular Black Entertainment Television (BET), sponsored by the Kaiser Foundation. According to data provided by the Kaiser Foundation, HIV-AIDS deaths are the highest for Black women, ages 25-44, than respective counterparts in racial/ethnic groups.
The reality documentary profiles four young adults: two with HIV/AIDS and two without. The viewers are challenged to follow the lifestyles and habits of the individuals and select which person has HIV/AIDS. The alarming result is HIV/AIDS has no particular look, style and stereotype. HIV/AIDS can happen to anyone. The purpose of the program is to challenge the BET generation to make smarter choices as it relates to HIV/AIDS.
The program follows Jami Jackson over a period of months, viewers get a bird’s eye view of her day to day – working at the hospital, scouring for performance gigs, hanging out with friends and interacting with her growing fan base. The determined go-getter landed a role in the reality documentary on BET by simply-- going for it. “I heard they were looking for people to appear in a program, which helps to educate people about HIV/AIDS, so I sent in my material,” says Jackson. “Not only did I get a role in the reality documentary, two of my songs were selected for the program.” Viewers will get a chance to hear original music by Jackson, “Let Love Live,” and “I Will Survive.”
Next up for Jami Jackson… world domination. Participating as a contestant in the Miss Black New York Pageant on January 3, 2009; applying to medical school to pursue an advanced degree in psychiatry; and performing at LifeBeat’s (an HIV/AIDS advocacy group) Hearts & Voices Superstar Holiday Show on December 13 (11am-12 noon) at Housing Works East Village), and December 17
(6-7pm) at the Terrence Cardinal Cooke Center.
Jackson also has an original song featured on a compilation CD. “Love At First Sight,” will be included on the 2008 Superstars CD that will be used as a holiday gift for the residents of the LifeBeat program. “I am living my dream says Jami Jackson. There is a real feeling of change in the air, and it’s an honor to participate in BET’s reality documentary.”
Are You Positive? airs on December 1st at 7:30PM (EST) on Black Entertainment Television, www.bet.com.
For more information, please visit www.jamijackson.net, www.myspace.com/jamijacksonmusic. For media requests, please contact TaylorMade Media, 516-285-4999, info@taylormademediapr.com.
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- TaylorMade Media; Blacknews.com
June 16, 2009
For Immediate Release
Jami Jackson’s Inspirational Hit, “Keep Walkin’ On”, Becomes the Theme Song for
the USTA Eastern’s First Ever Charity Tennis 5K Walk
Gifted Singer/Songwriter Scheduled to Perform the National Anthem in the Opening Ceremony on June 20th at 8:00AM Flushing, New York… June 16, 2009 - Jami Jackson, (www.jamijackson.net) 24 year old, native of North Carolina, media darling (featured and profiled in New York Times, Seventeen, NY Daily News, MTV, BET) came to New York City with a mission. Be purposeful. Stand up for a cause. And, live life. Jackson’s new internet sensation single, “Keep Walkin’ On”, from the indie Blacque Records label, will be the feature song for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Eastern’s first ever Charity Tennis Walk for the Father’s Day Family Grassroots Challenge. The 8th Annual Family Grassroots Challenge is a Parent/Child tournament that will be held at the famous USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. USTA Eastern is a not-for-profit community service organization that boasts over 48,000 members throughout all of New York, Northern New Jersey and Greenwich, Connecticut. The uplifting message in “Keep Walkin’ On” will give encouragement to others while money is raised to support the USTA Eastern organization.
“Keep Walkin’ On” is an anthem for those who dare to hope through difficult times and it has a catchy and infectious hook. “It sends a clear message to keep chasing your dreams and ‘live strong,’” says Jami Jackson. Jackson flexed her muscle as co-writer/composer, with songwriter, Sandra Carr Jackson, and producer, Tommy Faragher, the celebrated Grammy nominated producer who worked with such artists such as Al Green, The O’Jays, and Taylor Dayne. The song delivers a new ‘peppered’ sound and direction by Jackson and was named “Keep Walkin’ On,” as a tribute to the AIDS Walk New York (NY) fundraising event. Jackson kicked off the entertainment portion of AIDS Walk NY in May with her “Keep Walkin’ On” release at Central Park. As a member of the LIFEbeat team (an HIV/AIDS advocacy group), Jackson used her song to help create awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic while raising money and donating all of her proceeds from the song to the AIDS Walk fundraiser.
Jackson is now sharing her singing and songwriting talents with USTA Eastern’s latest fundraising event. “Keep Walkin’ On” will be the featured theme song and Jackson will perform the beloved “National Anthem” during the Opening Ceremony of the Father’s Day Family Grassroots Challenge at 8 a.m. at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Michelle Blake, Managing Director of USTA Eastern says, “We are very excited to have Jami grace us with her heavenly voice. She is amazing and I absolutely love the ‘Keep Walkin’ On’ song!”
From the Internet to the television airwaves, and a variety of New York City venues, Jackson is strategically carving out a musical path of passion and relevance. “Nothing can compare to singing and performing, to writing songs. I love using my voice to connect with people. I live to sing ” says Jackson.
For more information, please visit www.jamijackson.net. For media requests, please contact, Caesar Jackson at Caesar_Jackson@blacquerecords.com and (919) 806-4203.
### - Blacque Records
Discography
Keep Walkin' On
Format: MP3
Release Date: April 2009
Label: Blacque Records
Call My Name
Format: CD
Release Date: March 2007
Label: Blacque Records
SONG LIST:
1. Call My Name (3:01)
2. Hit And Run (3:17)
3. Dancin’ With Devils (3:59)
4. The Way You Look At Me (5:01)
5. I’ll Let You Go (3:24)
6. Electricity (4:15)
7. Hit And Run (Remix) (3:33)
8. Sista Girl (3:12)
9. Love At First Sight (4:36)
10. God’s Fingerprints (4:53)
11. God’s Fingerprints (Instrumental) (4:58)
Photos
Bio
Jami Jackson came to the Big Apple with a mission, plan, and a mantra. Her mantra is “live for today, hope for tomorrow, and never look back on the past.” She dedicates a multitude of hours each day pursuing her passion – music. The word determination comes to mind, however, that would still be an inadequate description for this songtress on a mission.
The native of Durham, North Carolina, began to dabble with the piano at the tender age of 5. Jackson is classically trained, as well as a student of Jazz and Gospel music. Her family knew she had a gift and encouraged her to express herself by writing and taking lessons. At first she penned poems, which became lyrics and then added music with her love of instruments. “I like to describe my music as a soulful blend of rock, R&B, and pop that delivers a live and engaging message, “ says the renaissance singer/songwriter, who counts among her musical favorites a diverse range of artists – from Alicia Keys and Coldplay to Etta James and The Killers.
By night, this gifted singer is performing around the Big Apple at such notable venues as The Apollo Theatre, the Nuyorican Poet’s Café, Ashford and Simpson’s Sugar Bar, The Bitter End, and Don’t Tell Mama, among others. Jackson books her schedule months in advance and relies on her Blackberry PDA to keep her punctual and prepared. “I am so blessed to be in-demand for live gigs given the economy says Jackson, and that’s why I always want to give my all.” Her talent is undeniable and her powerful declaration of love and motivational songs have Jackson solidly booked for weddings, churches, corporate events and social causes, such as, LIFEbeat, (an HIV/AIDS advocacy group).
Already a media darling - featured and profiled in such prestigious national media outlets as: MTV, BET, New York Times, Seventeen, NY Daily News, numerous regional print outlets, and, major radio stations in Top markets such as: Detroit, North Carolina and Baltimore. Ms. Jackson also became a reality documentary star, with the airing of Are You Positive?, which was seen by 5.1 million people on World AIDS Day, on the popular Black Entertainment Television (BET), sponsored by the Kaiser Foundation. "Jami had just what we were looking for, someone down-to-earth yet extraordinary. Here was a young sister, from the South, working hard on a 9-to-5 in New York City yet still finding time to offer her amazing talent to the fight against HIV/AIDS. That's inspiring,” says Grant Clark, producer/director of BET Networks.
Recently releasing a new ‘peppered’ sound and direction, Jackson is ecstatic with her latest song, “Keep Walkin’ On.” Jackson flexed her muscle as co-writer/producer, with songwriter, Sandra Jackson, and producer, Tommy Faragher, the celebrated Grammy nominated producer who worked with such artists as Al Green, The O’Jays, and Taylor Dayne. Ms. Jackson says, “this song will be an anthem for those facing hard times, looking for hope, and a clear message to keep chasing your dream.” She’s beams with pride that the song will also be used to inspire and educate many about HIV/AIDS awareness as she performed this and other songs during the 2009 AIDS Walk in New York City on May 17th.
Currently, you can spot Jackson in the subways of New York – performing, that is. She was one of the few selected to participate in the city’s legendary “Music Under New York,” concert series in which entertainers perform at the various subway stops. Jackson has been wowing commuters with her performance and selling many CDs along the way.
In 2007, Jackson released her immensely popular debut CD, Call My Name, available at www.jamijackson.net, on the independent label, Blacque Records. The album faired very well on the Internet, coupled with her breakout singles, “I’ll Let You Go,”and “Sista Girl,” which became a popular performance video on YouTube. The album featured a collection of 10 original songs exploring a range of emotions, from lost love to spiritual inspiration. Contributing her talent to a compilation CD for LifeBeat, with an original song called “Love At First Sight,” as a way to uplift the residents at LIFEbeat was her way of giving back to an amazing organization. “I believe it’s important to stand for a cause. HIV/AIDS is impacting my generation at an alarming rate and I simply want to do my part,” says Jackson. Erika Banks of LIFEbeat says, “Jami is a phenomenal young performer. She is not only a powerhouse on the stage, but she is a pleasure to work with. I know I can always count on her to show up on time and ready to rock the room! She is a stellar member of the LIFEbeat family.”
From the Internet to the television airwaves, and the subways of New York City, Jami Jackson is strategically carving out a musical path of passion and relevance. “Nothing can compare to singing and performing, to writing songs. I love using my voice to connect with people, “ says Jackson. “I want to make a difference in someone’s life.”
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