Jamiroquai | Artist
Jamiroquai is a British funk and acid jazz band formed 1992 in London by Jay Kay (vocals), Toby Smith (keyboards), Wallis Buchanan (didgeridoo, vibraphone), Stuart Zender (bass), and Nick van Gelder (drums). Jay Kay still heads the present-day lineup with Derrick McKenzie (drums), Solá Akingbolá (percussion), Rob Harris (guitar), Matt Johnson (piano), and Paul Turner (bass). They established their acid jazz sound on their early releases and later drew from rock, disco, electronic and Latin music genres to broad their music palette. At the heart of Jamiroquai is lead vocalist and founding member Jay Kay, whose charismatic personality, flamboyant hats, and soulful voice have become synonymous with the band's identity. Starting out, Kay was signed to Acid Jazz Records in 1991 after he sent a demo tape of himself covering a song by the Brand New Heavies. Kay gradually gathered band members, including Wallis Buchanan, who played the didgeridoo. Kay's manager scouted keyboardist Toby Smith, who joined the group as Kay's songwriting partner. Jamiroquai began their career by performing in the British club scene. They released "When You Gonna Learn" as their debut single. In the following year, Stuart Zender became the band's bassist by audition. Jamiroquai's 1993 debut album Emergency on Planet Earth set the stage for their success. The album's socially conscious lyrics and infectious grooves struck a chord with audiences, establishing them as pioneers of the acid jazz movement. Tracks such as "Too Young to Die" and the title track "Emergency on Planet Earth" showcased the band's ability to infuse their music with meaningful messages while delivering irresistible hooks and danceable rhythms. The band's follow-up albums, The Return of the Space Cowboy (1994) and Travelling Without Moving (1996), solidified their reputation, the latter album in particular, raised their profile thanks in part to the chart-topping single "Virtual Insanity," which won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group in 1998 and has a Guinness World Record entry as the best-selling funk album in history. Jamiroquai's electrifying live performances, featuring a mesmerising light display and Jay Kay's energetic dance moves, have earned them a dedicated global following on the festival circuit. Despite their global success, Jamiroquai has remained true to their roots, using their platform to advocate for environmental issues, social justice, and political awareness, through their music and public statements. The band name "Jamiroquai" is as it appears, a combination of the words "jam" and the name of a Native American confederacy, the "Iroquois". Jamiroquai were the third-best-selling UK act of the 1990s, after the Spice Girls and Oasis.
Artist Website: jamiroquai.com
Featured Albums: Jamiroquai
Related Artists: Jay Kay, Spacemonkeyz
