J metro
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J metro

Houston, Texas, United States | INDIE

Houston, Texas, United States | INDIE
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"January 12th Fort Bend Sun Times"

From Miles Davis to Madonna to Prince and even to the King of Pop himself, Missouri City-based musician J Metro’s eclectic mix of influences come as no surprise after taking one listen to his latest album, Deluxe Edition

On Deluxe Edition, J Metro channels everything from up-tempo pop dance music to R&B to jazz and rock. The Missouri City resident hopes his wide range of idols, influences and styles can spread his music to a broader audience and build his already growing fan base.



“Deluxe Edition is a collection of songs that I wrote over about a two- or a three-year period. It has a lot of different genres on it,” Metro said. “I actually put out the original album in January 2011. After that, Tate Music Group got a hold of the album and they asked me if I had any more material that I wanted to put on the album.”

Recorded in various studios all over Houston — including his own personal studio — Metro was able to add more songs that did not make the original album. The resulting product is a cohesive mix of sounds of which Metro is “incredibly proud.”

Just like the eclectic sound, his lyrics and song subjects range widely as well. First and foremost a composer, Metro typically creates his music and the song before he begins to write the lyrics, which allows the music to dictate what the song is about.

“I write about what I feel. Different things different days,” Metro said. “Lyrically, it always kind of surprises me what the songs are saying lyrically. I’m actually a composer, so I start with the music first and after I finish, I let it guide me towards what the song should be saying.”

The Barbara Jordan High School graduate, whose real name is Jimmie Moore, grew up outside of Atlanta and moved to Missouri City in the eighth grade. Growing up in a military family, Metro felt lucky to grow up in one place until he made the move to the Houston area.

Although travelling to the north side of Houston every day to attend Barbara Jordan High School was not easy, he adjusted well and developed his passion for music. In school he concentrated strongly on his band and glee club activities in order to prepare himself solely for a career in music.

“I started in music at 5. I was probably performing before that, but I started piano lessons very early. I was in high school band, majored in music in college and traveled with the glee club and jazz ensemble,” Metro said. “If I couldn’t do this, I don’t have any other talents, so I wouldn’t know what I’d do. I’m in the right place.”

With several musicians and singers already in his family, it is no surprise that he developed a love for music at such a young age. As he grew up, he explored different types of music, which resulted in his wide array of influences.

“I love talking about musicians because I can name my favorites all day long. My favorite classical composer is Claude Debussy, and I get a lot of inspirations from him,” Metro said. “I get a lot of Motown influences, as well as 80s and 90s pop musicians. As far as current, I listen to a lot of John Mayer, Jill Scott, Dwele. It’s kind of all over the map.”

Metro said he was not concentrating on writing for one particular genre in his album. Because it was written over a long period of time and because the album, including the five added later, has 20 songs on it, the resulting sound is very mixed.

“You start out with R&B, and then you get to an early middle section of the album that is very jazz and rock fusion,” Metro said. “A little bit of that you get into stuff that is pop and dance. A little like the Euro influence that you get with David Guetta. Then there’s the end with what sounds like the live stuff.”

Fans of his music and people he knows almost always comment on the large mix of sound on his album. He always takes the comments as a compliment, and hopes that this album will help him to expand his music so he can continue to concentrate on it and nothing else.

“I think by mixing my music up, I don’t limit myself, and I get the opportunity to have a real conversation with people about real music,” Metro said. “I get to draw them in, especially if they come to my live shows.”
- Cory Stottlemeyer


Discography

My People - Single
Alcoholic Logic- Single
J Metro- LP
Metropolis Saga - LP

Photos

Bio

Jimmie ( J Metro) Moore lives and makes music in Houston Texas where he is developing a rapidly growing audience and fan base. You never know what to expect at his performances. His versatility and spontaneity always leave people glad they came. Vocal performances, piano or acoustic guitar, spoken word poetry to music, performing jazz standards with a live band, and contemporary pop or original music with a live band are all parts of his arsenal. His willingness to switch between genres on a whim during performances entertains and unites people of various artistic and cultural backgrounds.

While a Funk/Soul/Jazz base exists, you may recognize influences from nearly every musical genre known to man. His influences cover an extremely wide range of styles from Ludwig Van Beethoven and Claude Debussy, to jazz musicians such as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Ella Fitzgerald, to the likes of Bob Marley, Jamiroquai, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Pressley, Shirley Bassey, Iron and Wine, Floetry, the Beatles, John Mayer, Lauryn Hill, Enigma, and a plethora of other artists that would make most people stop and say, “How can you listen to this and that and honestly claim to enjoy both?” Jimmie simply smiles and replies “Music has no genre.”

Just when J. Metro’s fan base and popularity began to rise under the direction of Powerhouse Entertainment, a chance meeting occurred with legendary promoter and hit record producer Maurice Starr, the General, who is known and respected around the world for discovering, managing and producing pop teen icons “New Kids on the Block” and R&B hit teen sensation “New Edition”. Starr’s music has sold over two hundred million records and cds worldwide and he has earned hundreds of gold and platinum awards. Starr quotes, “After seeing and hearing J. Metro it was magic at first sight.” Starr loved what he heard; then asked if he could join forces and the rest shall be history…

J. Metro’s arsenal of sound begins with the first double-sided future hit singles Breathe and My People. Breathe is an energetic, pulsating club hit, while My People is a feel good song with a message of unity and self love. Other J. Metro musical selections include Sunshine, a song of inspiration, hope, and encouragement; while the song Unwritten Love Letter is a ballad of lost love. My Lady, simply put, is a club smash. Maurice Starr quotes his feelings about J. Metro’s self titled debut album: “this album has hits all over it, it has something for everybody and I can’t wait to begin the venture with Moore Productions and Maurice Starr Entertainment.”

Now that J. Metro has arrived, the future is His for the taking. J Metro: the look, the sound, and the voice of the future. Get ready...