DJ JD's VALUES The Quality of Delivery And AIMS To PLEASE...He's ALL About The Music, NOT The Man!

It is amazing the power that music has to change lives, to capture special moments, bring people together, to liberate the soul and to heal. The Buzz recently had the privilege of getting to know DJ JD through the unfortunate and untimely death of a mutual friend and colleague DJ NeVoc, Alex Gilchrist. Unbeknownst to The Buzz at that time, JD had been working closely with NeV on a Chris Brown Forever Rmx, just prior to his death. NeV made sure that JD was given the necessary tutorial on his trademark stutter mixing technique, with the obvious intention for JD to finish the work that they had begun together. As fate would have it, JD was supposed to be the next DJ to be featured on The Buzz, when NeV died. Through the power of music and the response to losing NeV, JD and I united to write a tribute article together to pay respects to our dearly departed friend. DJ JD also went on to complete the Forever (Big Nightclub In The Sky Tribute) Rmx, which is now a site top pick on Crack4DJ's.

All of the proceeds from the sale of this mix and NeV's work is being generously gifted back to NeV's family, by JD ( for the Forever Rmx) and by the operators of the remixing service, DJ Sizzahandz and DJ Riz. It's amazing how lives can intertwine when music is at the heart of the union. Music is a language and it is truly spoken and understood to a vast degree and range of complexity. DJ JD has been deeply involved with the language of music for his whole life. It flows through his veins and has fueled his passion and quest for increased awareness and greater understanding of musical sound is engineered. Following his heart, JD found his niche in music studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2005 he secured a Bachelor's Degree with a Major in Music Production & Engineering. JD has possessed a tremendous respect for musical education and was also a very active member of the extracurricular music community while at school. He was involved in the following while at Berklee: President in the Turntablist Club, Member - Internet Radio Club, Member - Dean's Club, Member - Electronica Club, Member - Media Technology Club. Even to this day, DJ JD has continued his affiliation with the Berklee College of Music and teaches his DJ skills part-time throughout the year, in a Turntable Technique Class. He has also taught turntable skills at summer camps as well.The desire to work with music, rebuild it, manipulate it, teach it...create with it, has been JD's major focus these days. In addition to holding down a highly coveted residency in Connecticut, at the posh MGM Shrine AND being the crowd motivator/Resident DJ for the Connecticut Suns Basketball team, in JD's "off-time" he is remixing for world class remixing DJ services such as: http://www.crack4djs.net/ , http://www.iconbreaks.com/, and http://www.yourremix.com/%20and. JD doesn't stop his musical pursuits there either! This artist has also successfully launched his own mobile DJ service called Dawson Entertainment Productions ( http://www.dawson-entertainment.com/ ), offering DJ services for both private events such as weddings, school proms, and birthday parties...to big corporate gigs with clients such as: The Mohegan Sun Casino, Reebok, Hadden House, Edward Jones, L&M Hospital and the Summer Shack.

DJ JD Operates His Own Mobile DJ Company Called Dawson Entertainment Productions

DJ JD has a personality to suit every kind of venue imaginable and this truly sets him apart in our opinion. His versatility extends into his musical tastes and preferences too. He covers the full range of genres in his gigs, although his music of choice is Hip Hop and Hype. JD is a firm believer in customer service and conforming his style to meet the needs of the event and the audience. He does not project his persona onto his clients agenda but rather conforms his style to suit their needs, thus making himself far more marketable. He was selected for this very reason to be the resident DJ for CT Suns. He has the very difficult but rewarding job of having to read the crowd and the players emotions. He then has the challenge of keeping everyone motivated throughout the game, so that they walk away feeling pumped up and ready to return! He's a mood motivator!

His ability to decode and match the music that he plays to the chemistry of the people and venue, is superior. This ability lends itself easily to the remix business. Having a keen sense of crowd reaction, has given him a highly developed intuition and ability to dissect music, tear it apart and rebuild mixes using complicated editing with advanced software like Ableton. JD is a solid supporter of Ableton and even got NeV using it before he passed. "Ableton has proven to be a top choice amongst Lab customers.... It represents the new generation of production programs that works equally well for complex songs, quick remixes, djing, live performances, and more. The major feature of Ableton is that most actions occur in real time, allowing for spontaneous, flowing music production. In addition, you can change pitches and tempo on the fly, an excellent feature for sample based production, remixing, and live performances. Live 7 renews the core of Live for overall better sound and performance as well as many new features that make Ableton even more versatile. " (http://www.ableton.com/ ) According to JD, he has created over 100 remixes, 70 of those remixes available now on Crack4DJ's (http://www.crack4djs.net/) .

In our opinion, DJ JD is an artist that is very down-to-earth and real. He is all about the MUSIC and not about "the man" or gaining attention. He gains his thrill and sense of satisfaction it seems from creating the perfect event and from seeing the pleasure that consumes a crowd when that magic chemistry occurs between the DJ and audience. He reflects on this very idea in his exclusive Buzz Survey, but we just have to share it with you all again, as JD summarizes it so well and truly captures what all DJ's ultimately aim for: " The biggest reward is the same as any type of performance. It's that moment, and it doesn't happen all the time, but it's that moment that you are one with the crowd. When they're feeding off your energy and vice-versa. It's the best feeling in the world and it's what you strive to create every time you touch the decks. I think the only word I could use to describe it is ecstasy. " DJ JD has built his house of music with careful consideration...He did not rush and he took his time to create a musical career with a solid foundation formed out of bricks of wisdom, technique, education, experience, networking, teaching, giving, and sacrificing. He has been methodically and cleverly cultivating his inner passion for bringing rhythms, beats, basslines, and vocals together. Time and time again DJ JD continues to build his DJ career through each new gig or remix, each carefully planned out so as to never compromise the musical integrity and to continue to nurture his respect for the power of music.

Be sure to get your complimentary download from JD to add to your sets. ARE YOU READY FOR DJ JD...."GET READY!"

DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF DJ JD'S GET READY! THANK YOU JD!
http://00536e8.netsolhost.com/djjd_getready.zip

DJ JD BIO

Jason Dawson (aka Dj JD) has been hitting the decks for the last 10 years, constantly pushing his creative style. Graduating from the esteemed Berklee College of Music, Jason has a deeply rooted sense for Music and Music Technology which keeps him ahead of the competition and dominating the dance floor. Aside from just graduating from Berklee, JD now teaches the popular "Turntable Technique" class which introduces students to the art of DJing.

DJ JD's Schools

Berklee College Of Music
Boston, MASSACHUSETTS
Graduated: 2005
Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Major: Music Production & Engineering
Clubs: President - Turntablist Club, Member - Internet Radio Club, Member - Dean's Club, Member - Electronica Club, Member - Media Technology Club

2002 to 2005

Ledyard High School
Ledyard,Connecticut
Graduated: 2001
Student status: Alumni
Degree: High School Diploma

1997 to 2001

Dj JD's Networking
Music - Production - Engineer
Music - Performance - DJ
Music - Production - Mixing

JD is an accomplished remixer having produced internationally recognized tracks for the world renowned AV8 Records and is widely known in Dj circles for musically blending tracks to create remixes that you can not only dance to, but are also just fun to listen to.

Dj JD is now featured on Crooklyn Clan's Crack4DJs website (www.crack4djs.net) and has the #1 all-time track, "Low Is Gone," which has been a smash hit across the country. JD has also been featured on Dj Skribble's Camp Mash, Dj Amaze's Iconbreaks.com, Serg & V-smoove's clubbangaz.com and Yourremix.com.

Recently Dj JD had a featured set on E-Rocks weekly CLUB 949 radio show on WILD 949 in San Francisco. This summer you'll be able to catch Dj JD at all the Connecticut Sun Women's WNBA Basketball games playing the best jams to get the crowd rockin! That's right, JD is not the official DJ of the CT SUN!!

DJ JD Is The Resident DJ For The Connecticut Suns Basketball Team

Right now Dj JD is teaching the Turntable Technique Class @ Berklee College of Music on Tuesday's and Thursday's, but here is JD's regular schedule.

Dj JD's Schedule:

-Tuesdays @ Federal Cafe - Hartford, CT
-Thursdays @ Blarney's - Willimantic, CT
-Fridays @ Holiday Bowl - Groton, CT
-Saturdays @ Shrine (MGM/Foxwoods) - Mashantucket, CT

Past residencies include Ultra 88 & Lucky's Lounge @ Mohegan Sun Casino, Roxy and Embassy in Boston, Oasis Cafe in New London, CT.

If you would like to book one of the hottest up and coming DJ's, contact djjdbooking@gmail.com

DJ JD'S EXCLUSIVE BUZZ SURVEY

1. What inspired you to pick your DJ name?

It ends up that my DJ name is my initials and the funny thing is, it took me about 8 years of Djing before I decided to keep that one. Nothing else ever stuck and when I was going to release my first record on AV8 I had to bite the bullet and choose one. It also has a nice mirror effect, which is one of the reasons I picked it.

2. What kind of music do you like to spin?

I know every DJ says this, but I really do like to play a little bit of everything. When I started Djing it was all about playing hip-hop, but now I find myself getting more into house and dance music. It always depends on the day though. If I've listened to a particular style for a while I'll get a little sick of it and start listening to something else. It also depends on the party I'm spinning at. I usually like playing what will get the people moving, whether it's a packed club or a wedding. Weddings and corporate parties can be some of the best parties to play because of all the styles you can mix to get the whole group into it.

THE MANY HATS of DJ JD

...from Club DJ to Remixer to Corporate Mobile DJ...He Does IT ALL

3. What and Who are some of your major influences?

The music itself is my biggest influence. I have always been involved in music since I was a little kid and it's just in my blood. I've always had great music teachers throughout my life and they have influenced me more than I could say. As far as DJ influences I'd have to start with Stephen Webber (Turntable Technique teacher at Berklee College of Music) who was really my first mentor for Djing.

Professor Stephen Webber from The Berklee College of Music

When I started classes at Berklee I had already been Djing parties for 4-5 years and had a good base, but once I got to Berklee and showed my interest in it, that's when things really started to happen for me and I really started to see this as what I was all about. Webber has given me so many opportunities that I would never have had any other way. He got our turntable club a gig to open for Grand Master Flash & Rob Swift, I was on a segment of the Today Show with Al Roker doing an in depth piece on the Berklee turntable curriculum, and now I teach the Turntable Technique class during Berklee's summer program, just to name a few things. None of that would have been possible without his help. Another big thing that happened while I was at Berklee was just being around other DJ's. It's really hard to progress in anything when you don't have people to vibe off of and learn new methods from. It also gives you that drive to be just a little better than them.

DJ JD Was Part Of The Today Show With Al Roker Through Berklee

Another great mentor of mine is DJ Excel (the Mixmaster). He "discovered" me when I was Djing with Val Beatz (another huge influence for me) at Roxy and Embassy in Boston. I didn't realize who he really was and how many records he had put out and I have him a CD with some really simple blends I had done, really my first attempts at remixing. He saw something in what I did and gave me some advice, such as putting some more time into it. Not making it so simple. Making it a production. Not being lazy is the key to success apparently… who knew?? So I took his advice and the tracks I made ended up being my first AV8 record. He executive produced my second record and has helped me a lot along the way.

DJ Excel Photograph by Kayla J. Yoo

Val Beatz, who I mentioned before was the other big influence on me. He really showed me what club Djing was all about and just watching him sparked my creativity and really boosted me to the next level. I opened up for him Fridays at Roxy and Saturdays at Embassy for a long time and that really gave me a jump-off point.

(Top row L > R) JT, Dj Val Beatz, Dj JD, Dj Jules (Bottom Row L > R) Dj Jinx, Dj Mathmatix, ?

4. Biggest reward about being a DJ?

The biggest reward is the same as any type of performance. It's that moment, and it doesn't happen all the time, but it's that moment that you are one with the crowd. When they're feeding off your energy and vice-versa. It the best feeling in the world and it's what you strive to create every time you touch the decks. I think the only word I could use to describe it is ecstasy.

DJ JD Makin' Magic Happen!

5. Biggest pet peeve about being a DJ?

Hands down, people making requests! Do I really need to say more?? And I don't mean everybody who makes requests, but ther are always those people who have to be assholes and get pissed off if you don't have the song or you forget to play it or it just didn't fit in your set. And no, just because you slip me a $20 doesn't mean I'm going play. It just means I'm $20 richer!

6. What is the best party you've ever spun?

Wow, that's harder to answer than I thought. I've spun so many great parties, but probably this past New Years at Mohegan Sun would take the cake. It's certainly the biggest event I've done. There were at least, and I really don't have any kind of official number, but at least 4000 in the area I was playing which was in the mall, plus they had my music piped through a lot of other parts of the casino. It was an all-ages crowd and they were rocking out. I usually hate playing the YMCA, but when you have 1000 people making letters in the air, it's pretty cool!

WILD 70'S GIG AT THE MOHEGAN SUN CASINO

7. If you could mix at a club or a party anywhere, where would it be and with whom?

It would be at Fenway park, out on the field like they do for the concerts, and it would be packed! Of course there would have to be a great audience, which wouldn't be a problem in Boston. Since I grew up singing in chorus, I'd have to DJ a song with a choir. And then I'd have to get some of my DJ's to come out to help wreck it!! To name a few… Dj Serafin, Danny Diggz, Dj Amaze, Dj Gigahurtz, Dj Jay Mae, Excel, G2, Val Beatz, Dj Scene, Dj Paintchips and Dj Dvyne.

JD ,Serafin, Scooter, Danny Diggz

8. In what cities have you spun? Are you a resident Dj at any clubs right now?

I started spinning clubs in Boston where I Dj'd at Roxy and Embassy every Friday and Saturday. I was the resident DJ at Ultra 88 inside Mohegan Sun Casino for a while. Now I'm the resident at Shrine inside the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Casino. By far one of the hottest clubs in the country. Amazing Funktion one sound system and the vibe there is great. They really did it right. http://www.shrinemgmfoxwoods.com/

DJ Riz, DJ JD and DJ AM....at The Shrine....

9. What is the hottest club you have been ever been to either as a DJ or patron?

Definitely my resident club Shrine at MGM. As I answered for the last question, it's just got the right vibe. It just opened in May, so I'm sure the word will start spreading soon.

10. Do you plan out your sets or do you play to the crowd's reaction?

I never plan out a whole set. Sometimes you have a few songs you like to play together in "mini-sets," but I mostly play to the crowd's reaction. If you're a good DJ you can usually direct a crowd to a certain degree as well. That way you can play what you want, and they think it's what they wanted!

11. If you could design a club, name three of the most important aspects of it's layout.

I've always wanted to open a club since I was in high school. I could name a lot more than 3, but I won't. First would just be the design/décor. It has to be hip, but fun. I'd use a lot of L.E.D. accent lighting. Then comes the lighting system, which ties into the décor a bit. You've got to have kick-ass lights to cover the whole place. Good lighting adds so much energy and the crowd reacts to it without even being conscious of it. Then comes the sound system. Has to be clear and defined, but have heart-pounding bass that rattles your fillings.

Check Out Roxy's Lighting!!!

12. Techno/Trance or Mash-up/Hip-hop

Definitely have to go with mash-up/hip-hop. I really like the mash-up style because it gives you a lot of diversity to work some house and trance into your hip-hop set and get away with it when you want to. It really helps you please everyone, which you have to do as a Dj.

13. East Coast or West Coast?

East Coast all the way!!

14. Mac or PC?

Mac

15. Top favorite 3 tracks of all time?

I'm not sure these are truly my top 3, because I don't think I have a top 3. There are just too many good songs to choose from. But these are 3 favorites that come to mind right now. Funny thing is, a lot of my favorites aren't even hip-hop, they're rock.

DJ JD's Studio

Teen Spirit – Nirvana
Hypnotized – Notorious B.I.G
What I Got - Sublime

Keeping the beat with a top-billing DJ and good friend,