Category Archives: Event

Don’t Miss Tamia’s “Beautiful Surprise” Tour

Posted on June 13, 2013 | Leave a comment

Tamia continues to add more promotional tour dates to her schedule.

Tamia making waves in the music industry since her self-titled album in 1998 performed last week before a sold out crowd as part of the Blue Note Jazz Festival at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

Tamia’s husband of almost 15 years, Grant Hill, an NBA player announced his retirement last week was in attendance now has plenty of time to spend with his R&B wife. “We’re celebrating almost 15 years of marriage,” she told the crowd and mentioned her popular husband before singing her song “Still.”

She sang all her hit songs, “So Into You,” “Officially Missing You,” Smile,” “Beautiful Surprise” and closed the show with “Stranger In My House.”

It was truly a special evening.

Check out her upcoming show dates below.

June 13 Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA

June 14 Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD

June 18 House of Blues, Chicago, IL

June 19 Chene Park, Detroit, MI

June 21 Virgin Mobile Mod Club, Toronto, Canada

July 5 Essence Music Festival 2013
Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA

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Posted in Event, Music

Tagged Beutiful Surprise, blue note jazz, blue note jazz festival, chene park detroit, Grant Hill, Highline Ballroom, louisiana superdome new orleans, louisiana superdome new orleans la, mod club toronto, NYC, Tamia

DJジューン＆クリントン・スパークス日本制覇！DJ June Invades Nippon with American Super DJ Clinton Sparks!

Posted on April 8, 2013 | Leave a comment

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DJジューン＆クリントン・スパークス　日本制覇！
DJ June Invades Nippon with American Super DJ Clinton Sparks!

ハーレム2ニッポンでも紹介してきましたが、DJジューンの仲間、クリントン・スパークスがとうとうニッポンを制覇しました。全米はもちろん、ロンドン、パリ、ミラノ、デュバイ、シンガポール、香港、上海、台北、マニラなど各都市でパーティーを盛り上げてきたクリントン、実は東京でプレイするのはこれが初めてだそうです。

場所はお洒落な銀座にあるマルチ・フロアを誇る大バコ「ジニアスTokyo」、スーパー・スター・ウェンズデーというスペシャル・パーティーの特別ゲストに招かれました。海外からDJを招聘するのはこれが初めてとあってクラブ側も万全を尽くしてのイベントです。あいにく、午後から大雨で夕方には土砂降りというクラブにとっては最悪な条件となってしまい、関係者はみんな不安な面持ちで見守っていたようです。ところが開場の7時前からお客さんが続々と駆けつけ、平日ではあり得ないほどの大盛況となりました。

DJジューン、ニューヨークの夜を演出

もちろん、DJジューンとのコラボです。まずはジューンがNYクラブ・スタイルのオール・ジャンル選曲でウォーム・アップ。ここはデキるビジネス・ウーマンが集まることで有名らしく、キャリア志向でなおかつファッショナブルな女性たちがいっぱい。女の子たちを踊らすのが得意なジューン、ノリのいいR＆Bやヒップホップ、エレクトロなどをスムーズに繋げて女子向けの演出をします。狙いはばっちり、ダンス・フロアは音楽に敏感なキャリア・ウーマンたちで埋め尽くされました。

一息いれたところでメイン・ゲスト、DJクリントン・スパークスの登場です。東京の某高級ヘア・サロンでヘアカットしたクリントン。ハイ・クウォリティーなのに15、000円という安さ（？）にビックリしたとか……..。ふだんはハリウッドやロンドンなどのハイエンドなサロンで４〜500ドル（約4〜5万円）払っているので日本の価格が安く感じるらしいのです。それも、プロモーターのコネで50％ディスカウントしてもらったから自己負担は7、500円。「ニッポン最高！」とご満悦です。

DJ Clinton Sparks オリジナル・メガネ配布！

クラブ「ジニアス・トーキョー」のDJブースは機材も最新式、とても仕事がしやすい、と大はしゃぎ。いきなりブースのテーブルの上に立ち上がってマイクを握って歌ったりラップしたり踊ったり……。プロモ・グッズにも力を入れ、自分の名前入りのオリジナル・メガネを配ったり、これまでのDJは裏方というイメージをすっかり覆して、「スーパー・スター、DJクリントン・スパークス」をアピールしました。オーディエンスのあいだでも、「彼はDJというよりパフォーマーですね。とても楽しい！」と大好評でした。

この夏、メジャー・レーベルからミックスCD のリリースが決まり超多忙。仲良しのラッパー、リック・ロスやエレクトロの大スター、Macklemore とのコラボ曲も収録することになっています。「ジニアス・トーキョー」でのプレイでもそんな仲間たちの曲をミックスしてパーティーを盛り上げてくれました。昨年にリリースした本人プロデュース曲「Watch You」はアメリカでも大ブレイクしましたが、銀座のクラブ「ジニアス・トーキョー」でかけたところ大反響、フロアが狂喜したそうです。「こんなに反応してくれると思わなかった。凄く嬉しい！トーキョー大好き！」と大興奮のクリントンでした。

5日間の滞在ですっかりニッポン・ファンになったクリントンですが、トーキョーの女の子たちのファッションに強烈な印象を受けたそうです。「特に色使いが上手だと思う。意外な色の組み合わせなんだけど、それがうまく調和している。たとえばイエローのソックスにブルーのスカートを合わせて、ピンクのトップとか…….。アメリカの女の子たちではあり得ないファッションだね。ニッポンの女の子たちはすごくクリエィティヴで感心した。すごく可愛い。サイコー！」と手放しで大絶賛。

「ニッポン、ベスト、I’ll be back!」、また来るという言葉を残してアメリカに帰っていきました。

（伊藤弥住子）

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Tagged american dj, クラブ, クリントン・スパークス, トーキョー, ニューヨーク, ハーレム, ヒップホップ, ブラックミュージック, Clinton Sparks, DJ June, DJジューン, entertainment, 銀座ジニアス, Hip Hop, music, New York, Nippon, R&B, tokyo, travel, 洋楽

DJ June Invades Nippon with American Super DJ Clinton Sparks!

Posted on April 8, 2013 | Leave a comment

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DJ June Invades Nippon with American Super DJ Clinton Sparks!

Harlem2Nippon’s lovely DJ June and her friend, DJ Clinton Sparks, hit Nippon’s big club named “Genius Tokyo” on Wednesday, April 3 located in fashionable Ginza, the upscale district that looks like the Fifth Avenue of New York City.

Sparks was the featured guest DJ for “Super Star Wednesday,” a special party specifically launched for him. This was the first attempt for “Genius Tokyo” to feature a DJ from overseas. DJ June opened the show and pumped the crowd into a frenzy playing smooth R&B, edgy hip-hop and bangin’ club music. June said, “I know how to make ladies dance,” and she proved it.

Sparks is a Grammy nominated celebrity DJ from Boston, Massachusetts who has spun in several foreign cities including London, Paris, Milan, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, and Manila. He had never performed in Tokyo and was definitely looking forward to rockin’ the crowd with DJ June.

A rainstorm had the Genius Tokyo owner nervous about the turnout, but the attraction of two world class DJs had the club packed!

When asked how he prepared for his first party in Tokyo, Sparks said, “I got a haircut. Through June’s connection, I got 50% discount so I only paid $70.” This was a significant bargain because he usually spends $400 to $500 for haircut in London and Hollywood.

Sparks is known for his hyper performances, and he lived up to his reputation, standing up in the DJ booth, singing, rapping and screaming with the music. His infectious energy made him an instant favorite, and the party people loved the gifts he tossed into the crowd: custom made glasses with his name on it.

In addition to producing music for Ludacris, Rick Ross, T-Pain, Snoop Dogg and many more, Sparks also released his own song as a producer/performer, “Watch You” in 2012. He was overwhelmed by the crazy response when he played the tune in Genius Tokyo. “People went bananas,” he said.

After five days in Tokyo, Sparks is in love with the city. He’s looking forward to his next visit as he announced with a huge smile, “I’ll be back!”

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Tagged ニューヨーク, ハーレム, ヒップホップ, celebrity dj, Clinton Sparks, dj, DJ June, entertainment, Ginza Genius, Grammy, Harlem, Hip Hop, japanese dj, Ludacris, music, New York, Nippon, Rick Ross, singapore hong kong, Snoop Dogg, T-Pain, tokyo, Watch You, world class djs

Chuck Jackson In The House!! The 30th Anniversary Celebration of Mama I Want To Sing #2

Posted on April 1, 2013 | Leave a comment

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The 30th Anniversary Celebration of Mama I Want To Sing – Part 2 – Chuck Jackson

“Any Day Now” fame, Chuck Jackson was in the house!

To fans of genuine rhythm and blues music, the name Chuck Jackson needs no introduction. His soaring baritone transformed such songs as “Any Day Now” and “I Don’t Want to Cry” into international chartbusters whose soulful declarations have transcended the test of time. When I spotted Mr. Jackson at the “Mama, I Want To Sing” 30th Anniversary Gala, I couldn’t resist asking him a few questions.

H2N: Hello Mr. Chuck Jackson. How are you? We are happy to see you.

Chuck: Thank you.

H2N: Where is your base?

Chuck: Well, I’m all over the place. I just returned from Detroit where I performed a few shows.

Chuck Jackson

H2N: Currently you are in New York. Did you see “Motown The Musical”?

Chuck: No, not yet. I believe it opens in April. It is only in previews right now. I spoke with Smokey Robinson on the phone last night. He told me he would invite me to the show. Yes, I will see it soon.

H2N: The first time I saw your show was at Sweetwaters around the mid 80’s and Mike Tyson was in the audience waiting for his fiancée at the time, Robin Givens. Do you remember that show?

Chuck: Yes, as a matter of fact, I was just thinking about that. She became a big actress after that. I did many shows at Sweetwaters. The club is gone now.

H2N: We are so glad that you are still around. Can we expect new music from you anytime soon?

Chuck: Yes! I’m working on my new album. It’s funny that this time I’m signed to the first label I was signed to. Smokey Robinson wrote a song for me for this album and I’m also working with Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller and many others.

H2N: Sounds great! Does that mean that you are going to give us the classic Chuck Jackson album?

Chuck: Yeah, the record company told me to be myself. They want me to sound like me. I’m very excited!

H2N: We can’t wait! Will you be touring to Japan soon?

Chuck: Yes, as a matter of a fact I think we got an offer but I don’t know exactly when. I know I have many fans in Japan and I’d love to go over there and do shows.

H2N: 　　　　Thank you.