“Jazzy Jeff” Townes was born in West Philadelphia in a very musical household and developed a love of music at an early age. Jeff was just 10 years old when he started spinning records at parties using his family’s basement as a training ground for his expert mixing. Jeff rolled with many crews and emcees around Philly but it was 1985 when he met Will Smith on the house party circuit. Jeff’s regular MC was away so Will stepped on the mic and the chemistry was instant. . By the summer of 1986 Will and Jeff had teamed up to released their first single, “Girl’s Ain’t Nothin But Trouble” as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble” was the first hip-hop song to sample a TV show theme, “I Dream of Jeannie” and it soon began to chart. The Philly DJ wasn’t known as a battle DJ but his routines were so impressive he walked away with the Championship.Having made their mark on the music seminar in just a year of forming Jive/Zomba bought out the initial word up record contract that Will and Jeff had signed. Now on a major label, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s debut album Rock The House was released in 1987.
In 1998 Jazzy Jeff signed a solo deal with Columbia Records. He recorded an album for the label, which featured tracks with artists such as Masta Ace, Eminem and De La Soul. Unfortunately, Sony chose to shelve the hip-hop work, wanting something more “commercial.”This setback didn’t stop Jeff from continuing his production work with A Touch of Jazz. In 1998 they worked with artists such as Tatyana Ali and Kenny Lattimore. In 1999 Jazzy Jeff and A Touch of Jazz produced Will Smith’s second solo album “Willennium.”
In November 2004 Jeff released another mix CD, “Jazzy Jeff In the House” a house mix for Defected. DJ Jazzy Jeff’s philosophy has always been for a DJ to play all kinds of music. On “In the House” he showed he could mix house just as good as he mixes hip-hop or soul music. Jeff also continued touring the world, spinning all throughout Europe, Asia and America.
In 2005 Jeff continued his 20-year collaboration with Will Smith working on Will’s fourth solo release “Lost & Found.” The album features production and scratches from Jazzy Jeff. Jeff & Will have also been back performing together again at various shows and premieres. Jeff also began working on his second solo album, “The Return of the Magnificent.”Jazzy Jeff continues to represent the DJ throughout his records, mix tapes, and live shows. His love of music shines through on all projects, whether it’s with Will Smith, Jill Scott or his own solo records. Over the course of his career Jeff has achieved many accomplishments, but he is a humble man who is still doing it as his 2002 hit said “For Da Love of Da Game.” And with that approach he will continue doing what he loves for as long as he wants.