Nationally Acclaimed Artist DJ Jason Jani Gives Us A Closer Look At His Diverse Skill Set Through Exploring The Different Roles Within The DJ Culture

Jason Jani is a DJ by profession AND passion. He sports many different headphones and roles in the DJ community and we have been fortunate at The Buzz to have slowed him down just enough to gain some greater insight into his world and how he manages to hold the titles of : mix show producer, endorsed artist, rank holder, remixer, club DJ, mobile DJ, CEO, husband AND father! Phew! Not much CAN slow down Jason Jani (pronounced JaN-eye, btw!), as he is truly of man of action and an artist who continually seeks to challenge himself and raise the bar in his own professional development. Having nurtured a keen interest in the music industry from his impressionable years as a teen, Jason has diligently worked to find his calling, which is still evolving even as of today. Jani has officially held the title of DJ for over 15 years and during that time he has seen everything from the likes of event venues, hot nightclubs, trendy cutting- edge radio stations, to establishing his very own thriving mobile DJ service called
Soundconnectdj.com ( http://www.soundconnectdj.com/HOME.html).

All the while, Jason has kept himself on top of his game by keeping in tune with the heartbeat of the music scene, so that his services and work would be fresh and edgy for his listeners/clients. Jani's musical preferences are varied and tailored to the stations that he mixes for. You will hear everything from Top 40, Elektro, Progressive House, Tribal and Acid House, Commercial Dance, Neo Disco, to jacked up/mashed up Hip-Hop Hype! Jani does his best to stay in line with technological advances and as a result he is extremely effective in his communications with his fans and clients. Jason just launched his own independent website for his radio listeners, industry professionals and potential clients. Both websites were designed AND programmed by Jason himself.

What CAN'T this man do, you may ask?!!! He is definitely multi-faceted and an incredibly talented individual to be able to manage all that he does. After having met Jason, we soon approached him about writing an article that would help teach us all and give us a greater appreciation into how the mix show radio DJ's world is similar or different in comparison to the club DJ's realm. Jason was extremely eager to support our efforts and kindly answered our slew of many questions for the story. Most of our articles, of course, focus on club DJ's. However, we thought it might be refreshing for our readers to hear exactly what goes on in the life of a mix show artist/producer and to view perspectives from that part of the music industry; especially via an artist with such as Jason Jani, who has a diverse and rich DJ history.

Jason's "current mixshow roster includes weekly rotations on Sirius Sat. Radio's channel AREA 38, INVASION, and daily spins on the FocusOnTheDJ network which can be found online (http://www.focusonthedj.com/) as well as on Sprint/Nextel/US Cellular, sat. radio, PARTYRADIOUSA.net (Saturday's at Midnight) and THEREALMIXSHOW.com (download anytime) " (www.myspace.com/janimints ). This DJ has definitely risen respectively in the mix show artist ranks and in 2007, Jani was rated by Deet Promotions as one of the “Top 10 Mix Show DJs in the U.S.” In the “2008 Mix Show DJ of the Year” contest, sponsored by TheRealMixShow.com, he pulled a strong #2 poll position. In addition to these notable successes, this year Jason also became an Endorsed Artist for GCI Technologies’ Cortex HDTT-5000 Digital Music Turntable.

We've included some instructional video footage recently taken of Jason using the Cortex DJ equipment. So be sure to have a look at those. It's non-stop with this artist and Jani just announced the following amazing accomplishments that he has made to his fans and colleagues: "First, to all those that don't know and have been wondering, I finished second in the Real Mixshow .com Dj of the year award. Over 16k votes and a lot of support from you all helped me get to the top, and in the end, second is still commendable.... SO, a huge "Thank-you" from me to you for casting a vote and supporting the effort!!!

Second, I just received word from Deet Promotions (major powerhouse in the charting/promotions world) that my Summer 2008 ranking is now 6th up from 10th.... Here is the message attached to the ranking: "Here is a list of the jox that had the greatest impact on the One Nation Under A Groove Mix Show Chart. The influence of these jox goes far beyond the airwaves of their mix show as they have contributed play lists that determine what you see on that chart. As most of you know but it's importance bears repeating, the One Nation Under A Groove Mix Show Hot 100 along with the Billboard Club Chart and the DDK Crossover Chart make up the contribution from the US for the Global Dance Traxx Chart, so the influence of these jox are global! All Hot Mixers in the US are invited to submit play lists, most don't so these guys are way important as they get it! They have a commitment to breaking dance music here in the US and are doing all they can to promote the singles y'all have so generously serviced them with..." Third, I recently signed an endorsement deal with Cortex Digital Music Turntables. So, big things to come in the upcoming months including appearances, and a video series for YouTube teaching about the equipment and what it can do...Forth, in August 2008, I will be featured in the DJ Times magazine as a mobile profile DJ. Stacy Zemon, a legend in the DJ industry, wrote an unbelievable article that I am proud of and cant wait to see it! Finally, I want to say thank you for your support, encouragement and inspiration that allows me to continue to pursue all that I do. " (Jason Jani, June 24, 2008)

Jani Workin' His Magic For One Of His Clients

Jason Jani is constantly reinventing himself and we love that! It is artists like Jani, that are constantly driven to look for new avenues of self-exploration, who keep the public's interesting and maintain an equilibrium that demonstrates substantial levels of growth and awareness in any given field. Perhaps it takes this certain ability to work under deadlines and a great deal of regular pressure, that is one major difference between the radio mix show and club DJ. However, we are thoroughly convinced that no matter what Jason sets his mind to, he will definitely accomplish it. We KNOW that Jason will achieve his next goal to acquire a weekly dance mix show FM Station residency, because he would be a gem for a radio station to acquire based on his history and professional manner. This versatile DJ has much to offer after years of moving between all of the roles of the DJ culture. His work ethic and drive are a true testimony to the quality of his work and his musical creations. As you will learn after reading Jason's interview with The Buzz, this artist is from the cream of the crop and as we all know, cream ALWAYS rises to the top! Enjoy this up close and personal interview with DJ Jason Jani as much as we did....

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH DJ JASON JANI AND THE BUZZ

...A SPECIAL EDITION INTERVIEW ABOUT THE RADIO MIX SHOW DJ WORLD

FB. Tell us about your first exposure to music and why you chose to pursue DJ career.

JJ. I was exposed to music at an early age. I used to listen in to DJ Red Alert on the radio and would try to figure out how he made the records go together. From that point on, I then branched into the mobile side of the biz. I thought DJ’s had the coolest job and it grew from there.

FB. What was your first big break in the business?

JJ. I am not sure if I ever had a “big break”. It’s been more of a lot of little ones that added up to where I am today. Friends, other DJ’s loving to play, and a lot of hard work, have all helped me to be in the right place at the right time

Toro Gunz and Jani - St Pattys Day crew - Loft 11

FB. What was your first experience with the radio DJ community and how did you become involved with the radio?

JJ. First was introduced to radio by a good friend of mine. I used to send him mix sets recorded live and he wanted to showcase me on one of his shows, from there my roster has grow quite a bit and I have really come a long way…

FB. What in your opinion differentiates a radio DJ from a club DJ?

JJ. Well a couple of things, but I have to say having people in front of you definitely allows the experience of playing to be more interactive whereas mix shows are done in a station or in a controlled studio. Seeing a crowds reaction, or feeling the energy of people going nuts is the biggest difference….

FB. Can you explain to us what it is that you do from start to finish to order to air your work. Is it live? Is it pre-recorded? How far in advance do you create your shows to be aired?

JJ. In short a mix show DJ is a DJ that creates a 1 or 2 hour set that is aired on radio. For me, each station that I am on is a little different. I have done a number of live mix shows but most are pre-recorded. I generally think about what I am feeling, and go from there. I usually create a folder with a number of tracks I am considering charting or playing and just let it flow. There is a ton of great stuff out there….being on top of all the music is the most time consuming part of being a mix show DJ.

FB. How would you describe your sound?
JJ. Flexible, is probably the best word.

FB. What sound are you into right now?

JJ. Lately I have been on a House kick, there are so many flavors of House. I love switching it up and crossing the sub genre lines to spawn creativity. Anything with some flavor right now works for me… (THAT WAS BEAUTIFULLY EXPRESSED JASON!!! FETTY BE IS FILING THAT EXPRESSION!!!)

FB. Who are you affiliated with and how does a DJ become part of the radio community?

JJ. Well I am doing 12 nationally syndicated mix shows a month, Sirius Area 38, Focus On The DJ network airing on Us Cellular, Sprint and Nextel Radio, Party Radio USA, and TheRealMixshow.com right now. I do a bunch of guest spots on different Internet sites as well. Getting involved is really different for everyone; everyone has a different story as to how they got into it… The most important thing about the radio mixes is to have your game tight, 99% is not enough, and play what people want to hear today and tomorrow not yesterday….

FB. What in your opinion are going to be some of the new technology trends in dance music or the delivery of dance music to the consumer in the next 5 years?

JJ. There are a lot of exciting new things on the horizon for dance music… In addition to Sirius, I have been doing a lot of work for Internet and cellular satellite radio, the cellular thing is really the future. Right now I am a featured artist on the Focus On the DJ network airing on all Us Cellular, Sprint and Nextel Phones (http://www.focusonthedj.com/). The newer technology, will allow a person to access dance music or any music from anywhere at anytime….that is the future. Next year I will be a featured DJ on an international or global dance radio station that will be accessible on a popular mobile phone brand, regardless of provider.

FB. How has satellite radio changed or helped dance music?

JJ. Helped it. Reason being, people such as the star artists on satellite radio (like on Sirius Area 38 - Oakenfold, Murk, Acosta, Van Dyke, Tong, Cortsen, Tsettos, Devito, etc) or on internet or cellular sat. radio, allow the listeners access to latest tracks and mixes on radio as they travel around the world and produce fire mix shows. It also allows club heads to listen in on hot tracks that you will generally never hear on FM radio. Anything outside of the mainstream top 40 circuit, and un-edited is fair game in the satellite world.

FB. What are the pros and cons of being a radio DJ?

JJ. The pros, I get about 5 gigs+ of music weekly, pretty much anything 3 to 6 months + before it ever hits anyone’s station or is released on a broad scale.. The buzz starts with the mix show guys. The other major pro would be having access to listeners on a national or international scale…. The cons, deadlines when you are strapped for time…
FB. Can you explain what you do for the cellular phone companies?

JJ. Focus on the DJ (focusonthedj.com) is a cellular satellite radio service provider. I do a number of mixes that are aired daily on the cell phone radio and on their website on demand. I am featured for top 40 dance and independent dance (house) mixes, I even do some mash up mixes on occasion for the specialty station… The Focus on The DJ network is the future of radio, allowing people to access the radio station, from any where at any time.

FB. How competitive is the market for the radio DJ and what is the importance of charts to the radio DJ?

JJ. The market is very competitive for a Mix show DJ. People want to be recognized for their abilities and talent, there are only so many stations. The dance charts basically influence not only the music you hear day to day on the radio but they influence artists, producers and of course other DJ’s...

FB. Do satellite radio DJs interface with their listeners as much as live DJ’s, if so how?
JJ. Not really while playing but I also post stuff on MySpace to keep listeners in the loop with regards to what I have going on, such as air times, play lists, hot picks and new mash ups that I have done.. Also I will keep people informed with 1. djjasonjani.com and by my MySpace page, myspace.com/janimints….

FB. What do you think about the current state of affairs in dance music?

JJ. A lot of people seem to have A.D.D. in the club world. They don’t care to listen to a track for 6 or 7 minutes if you are not twisting it all out. I think the state of dance music is constantly in motion and really relates to the region of the listener. Dance music as a general term is always evolving.
FB. Where is the future of the radio DJ heading?
JJ. To be able to listen to a style of music from anywhere at anytime, such as through your phone, TV and radio…
FB. You have a weekly mix show on Sirius Satellite Radio on Area 33 which is great by the way. How long has your show being airing?

JJ. Well the station just changed from Area 33 to Area 38 this past week. I have done some mix shows for Sirius here and there for about 2 years now. I landed a weekly spot in the “invasion” mix show rotation since January. The invasion show airs Sunday through Friday at 10 pm Est, 7pm Pst on Sirius Channel 38 and Dish Networks TV channel 6038, each week my show rotates so it is always different. Through the station I have airied before or after, P. Oakenfold, P. Van Dyke, The Rock Project, Talla2XL, Murk, P. Tong, Georga Acosta, Darude, Stonebridge, Markus Schultz, Scumfrog, and a number of other global DJ’s…

FB. From where do you draw inspiration when you have to record a new set for radio week after week?

JJ. Inspiration for me is a feeling. I get in moods and bored very quick, I am always looking to stand out and switch things up, one week I will do a minimal set, the next a progressive, then something very Elektro influenced… I try to take a listener on an hour ride using house music as my wheels.
FB. What other artists or producers have impressed you lately?
JJ. There are a number of guys that really stand out, naming one or two would be really tough…
FB. What’s your favorite club to play? What is your favorite city to play in?
JJ. Don’t have a favorite city, just love being in front of people who feel the music.

Jason Jani's Sound Connections Ent. Co. Keepin' The Crowd Pumped!

FB. What’s the one thing you can’t live without when on the road?

JJ. Blackberry.

FB. What DJ gear are you using, at this moment?

JJ. I have quite a lot of gear in my studio so it really depends on what I am working on. My equipment most frequently used would be CDJ 1000 Mk3’s, Technic 1210’s and My Cortex HDtt5000 Digital Turntables. Mixers, I switch between a Rane 2016a Knob mixer with expander, a Rane TTm57, and a Pioneer DJM depending on the show I am doing. I am a HUGE fan of Serato. I also like having a Pioneer EFX box to play with… I am always switching up my set ups to keep things fresh for me and to stay on top of the newest tools out…

DJ Jason Jani's Instructional Video's for Cortex-Pro Equipment

PART 2 - Jason Jani's Instructional Video for Cortex-Pro Equipment

FB. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen or had happen to you at a gig?

BAD - Heart attack on the dance floor.
GOOD – People cheering out my last name by the end of my first record.
CRAZY – Def cant talk about that.. LOL.

FB. What exciting stuff do you have coming up? Gigs, albums, website, travel...?

JJ. I recently signed an endorsement deal with CGI technologies for the Cortex HDTT5000’s Digital Music Turntable line of gear. We are doing a number of videos which will be featured on Youtube.com teaching people about the digital gear which is pretty insane. I will be appearing at some industry events such as the DJ Times expo (NJ Aug 08), (Namm in CA (Jan 09).

I have been working on developing and officially launching my djjasonjani.com website which people can follow playlists, mix shows and all things JASON JANI

.

Mix shows – continuing with my 12 nationally syndicated shows a month and looking to land a spot in a major metro FM market, you can check out focusonthedj.com, or therealmixshow.com to hear mix sets at anytime…radio airtimes schedules vary by week and by station, but my website djjasonjani.com or MySpace (myspace.com/janimints) will provide my schedule and airtimes…

Check OUT That Set-Up!!!

Production – Really been getting into the production side of the DJ world, whether it be making beats, working with other DJ’s/artists/producers, or putting together some mash ups, I am always working to improve my game and keep things fresh.

Finally, I am always looking to gig a bit outside of my area, and increase my MySpace friends list, kidding… now add me. LOL.

DJ JASON JANI

Sirius Radio - Area 38 - Mixshow DJ
Sprint Nextel Us Cellular Radio - Mixshow DJ
http://www.blogger.com/www.FocusOnTheDJ.com Mixshow DJ
http://www.blogger.com/www.PartyRadioUSA.net - Mixshow DJ
http://www.blogger.com/www.TheRealMixshow.com - Mixshow DJ
Endorsed Artist: CORTEX HDTT 5000 Digital Music Turntable (cortex-pro.com)
Get my Remixes on : http://www.blogger.com/www.DramaMix.com or http://www.blogger.com/www.djjasonjani.com

Jason Jani's Bio

Jason Jani is setting new standards on the dance floor
and on dance music radio. He is a multi-faceted artist,
innovator, producer, and remixer. Rated in 2008 by the
presitigious Deet Promotions as one of the "Top 10
Mix Show DJs in the US...ranking at #6." Jason's syndicated dance mixshow
roster includes:

- Sirius Satellite Radio's Area 33 (now Area 38)"Invasion"
- Party Radio USA
- The Real Mix Show
- Focus On The DJ Network over Sprint/Nextel and U.S.
Cellular Phone Radio Networks.

His dance mixes vary by station, and include Top 40, Commercial Dance, Elecktro, Progressive House, and Mash Up formats. He puts together twelve hour-long mixes monthly, which are played on different stations across the internet and country.

Jason’s work ethic embraces multiple musical genres along with the discerning instincts of a master remixer. He plays what people want to hear, and takes them on a musical journey by creating original mixes that give emotions a chance to speak.

He also puts his know-how to work by jointly compiling a bi-monthly dance chart of all the hottest tracks being played for the North East Record Pool.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Jason’s long-time passion for music led him to receive training as a mobile DJ in the 1990’s. It wasn’t long before he was rocking dance floors five nights a week on the New Jersey nightclub circuit. Jani’s reputation caught on like wild fire with club go-ers.

Around 2000, Jason started his own company, Sound Connect Entertainment, which provides customized planning and entertainment including enhanced lighting and video services as well as live musicians and performers.

ALWAYS Professional...And With Style!!! Jason Jani Providing His Clients With Yet Another Of Adventure...Deckside!

Having mastered both the vinyl and digital DJ universes, Jason prides himself on his high-quality gear. In April, 2008, he became an Endorsed Artist for GCI Technologies’s Cortex HDTT-5000 Digital Music Turntable/Controller.

Jason’s craft is in a constant state of evolution. His future goals include gaining a weekly dance mixshow FM station residency in a major metro market, performing at large concerts at renowned clubs around the world, and collaborating on projects with other artists.

Keeping you "in the know" with one of America's hawtest producers/radio/club DJ's, who's ready to TAKE ON THE WORLD...JASON JANI!!!!!!