Tru Food HOT Chef of the Month Spotlight on Tony Teems
TABLE OF CONTENT Tony Teems
Chris Jasper
Pg.8 Pg. 24
Black Jewelz Pg. 22 The Isley Brothers ‘Sound’ comes from me.
1L1M Movement
Motivator, Educator,Hit Maker
Pg.12 Pg. 14
1-Love 1-Mission Movement brings Love to Homeless in Springfield Hit 70’s Series, “Good Times” star, ‘ Thelma’ invites fans to help produce Movie
.
Founders Lydia Marie moses Kevin King Partners lydia marie ernest l. thomas kevin king Editors in Chief Lydia Marie moses ernest L. Thomas
Creative Director / Graphic Design Kevin King Executive Assistant Hayley Drinkall
Website Development & Maintenance Kevin King Hayley Drinkall Lydia Marie moses Associate Editors Corretta Doctor JC Gardner Sharon Fox Tony Teems Stacy Brown Mike Holmes Dionne Ford Rebecca Lane
Copy Editor Rebecca Lane Promotions & Marketing Dionne Ford Godfrey Mitchell Catherine Huebos Tru. creative world enterprises a-list agency
Management A List Agency Tru. Creative World Enterprises Multi-Media Production / Photography Films 4-Life Productions tru. creative world enterprises bravokid entertainment Diamond Key VideoFirm
TRU. FOOD
In the Kitchen with Tru: Pad Thai Sauce Executive Chef and Owner of Chefs Like it “Hot” Caterers www.chefslikeithotcaterers.com CEO, Anthony Teems of Team Enterprize LLC Specializes in International Cuisine Catering to the taste of Southern California. In the chef ’s own words...
Chef Tony Teems
Pad Thai Sauce makes a delectable glaze for grilled salmon. INGREDIENTS 1-1/2 Pad Thai Sauce Sea Salt and pepper to taste 1- 1/4 lbs. Salmon fillet with skin 2 Tbsps. fresh squeezed lemon juice DIRECTIONS Step 1 Lay salmon skin side down on a plate. Salt and pepper flesh side. Cover skinless side of salmon with Pad Thai Sauce. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Step 2 Set grill on med-high. Oil grill grates to prevent sticking. Step 3 Transfer fish skin side down to grill. Spoon any Pad Thai Sauce from plate to top of fish. Turn heat down to low and close grill cover, this will enable fish to cook from the top as well as the bottom. Step 4 Cook until skin is dark and very crisp. Slide a piece of aluminum foil under fish if skin starts to burn before fish is cooked. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until fish is done (flakes easily with a fork but is still moist).
“We will take your taste buds on an incredible journey. I worked my way up-through-the-ranks in this industry. Although my formal culinary education is limited, my hands on work experience is extensive it is as diverse as my menus.
I started at the bottom working as a soda jerk making banana splits & root beer floats. From there I moved to dishwasher, bus-boy on up to chef and then executive chef. I also worked as a restaurant manager, and am now the proud owner of a catering company. What I have to offer is a wealth of knowledge both front & back of the house experience. I have trained and worked in some of California’s finest hotels and restaurants under the guidance of both European and American trained chefs. You can follow Tony at: https://www.facebook.com/ tony.teems
1-Love 1-Mission Movement brings love to homeless population in Springfield 1-Love / 1-Mission Movement’s National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day Outreach came to Springfield, Illinois this year. The Sponsors of the Movement, Tru. Magazine along with some very generous people who live in Illinois clearly have amazing love for their community. Small franchise businesses like Dairy Queen participated as well as huge hotel chains like Hilton Properties, which owns the Hampton Inn (Springfield).
Hampton Inn, of Springfield donated over 15 comforters along with hosting movement staff.
Free food, beautiful warm comforters, and even handmade quilts and clothing were donated to mission team members on December 21, 2015 to disburse to those in need. “As soon as word hit Springfield that 1-Love 1-Mission and Tru. Magazine were coming to do an outreach for the homeless population living in their city these generous sponsors opened Project Manager, Godfrey Mitchell gain the attention of many local vendors who help out.
and help for homeless persons forced to have to live on the streets across America, but also to bring awareness, education and help everywhere that we can. There are tens of millions of kind people in the world who would like to help, if they only knew how “This was such a beautiful thing to help. Or,if they only understood the problem. Many, like the citizens to experience, a ‘teachable’ moment in fact, because this of the small town of Virden, Illinois, mission earmarked the very don’t travel much outside of their own first of many outreach missions neighborhood and community. They don’t know the struggle that is occurthat our team will initiate in ring just a few miles away from them communities where there is a need throughout our nation. in their neighboring town. The reason to ‘move’ now is We do this work in the hopes that not only to provide support their hearts and their wallets to show love and compassion, like I’ve never seen done before”, says Lydia Marie Moses, Founder and Executive Director of the ‘Movement’.
taking our mission work cityto-city and filming the journey along the way will one day put an end to a tragic epidemic which has been plaguing our world. That it will give a name and a face to the millions of people in our country who barely make it day to day. That those homeless will become more than a statistic to those of us in the world who are blessed so far- not to be.
Devoted organizers Lydia Marie Moses, Reverend John Huxtable & Kevin
I wanted to hold this particular King mission on National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, in order to honor all who who have lost their lives due to homelessness, throughout the country. And, can you believe that of the half dozen people I asked if they even knew that there was a National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day none of them did. It let me know that we just have got to do more! We really do have to Mission work began at sunrise daily in Springfield Illinois take this situation more seriously. Photo Courtesy of: Lydia Marie We really do need to care about our homeless brothers and sisters out here who feel forgotten and are tragically-dying as a result of their homeless condition. We are really grateful for the outpouring of generosity that we received in Springfield. Hilton Properties, Dairy Queen, McDonalds, Hardees, Arby’s, Pizza Hut, and Autozone are to be commended for the love and compassion they have shown, to those who needed it, when they needed it the most”, states Miss Moses emotionally. “May God continue to bless each and every one of them”.
Mampton Inn Manager Joseph Council and Customer service rep Sarah Dietrich generously donated 15 beautiful comforters on behalf of Hilton properties
1-Love 1-Mission Movement brings Love to Homeless in Springfield
Founder & Executive Director of 1-Love/1-Mission Movement’, Lydia Marie Moses, has been doing this work ‘unofficially’ since 2011 with the help of her partner and co-director of the ‘Movement’, Kevin King. “Kevin and I publish a magazine together (TRU. MAGAZINE). We’ve been doing it for five years and it’s really all about making sure that artists, TRU. artists are recognized and have a voice.
Lydia Marie Moses and Kevin King I have lots of celebrity friends in the world of entertainment who lend us a hand to support this cause, so it’s a mission that takes a world to solve. But for us, it all begins with ONE. The real fight against homelessness is bigger than all of us so, it had to become a movement. It has to become second nature to us to help those in need. That’s what we’re here for. It’s, for me, a way of life. And there are lots of others like me who want to ‘move’ throughout the world in the name of helping others. Here’s how the Movement ended up heading for Springfield in the first place…
First Christian Church (Virden, IL)
Volunteers from First Christian Church fill out cards of love to give those in need
In Mid December ‘Moses’ got a call from Project Manager, Godfrey Mitchell, telling her how excited the Sr. Pastor of First Christian Church, in Virden, Illinois was, when he learned of the 1L1M Movement. Having visited their website just that morning the Reverend got on the phone with ‘Moses’ to discuss how their church could not only help out with plans to not only join her movement that month, but also to develop a program within the church to operate 1-Love/1-Mission Movement activities, throughout the year! Reverend Huxtable went on to say that their church (nestled in rural Illinois) has been waiting for an opportunity to do some street missionary work. Waiting for an opportunity, just like this one. FCC believes they have found that ‘right group’ in the 1-Love/1-Mission Movement.
As a result of the new relationship with 1L1M, First Christian Church will now hold a monthly 1-Love/ 1-Mission Movement Food Drive, along with quarterly outreach missions, where they will all join together in various locations. The movement started with the midwest but has now spread to Atlanta, New Orleans, Chicago and even in Negril, Jamaica. Their overall goal? To make their way helping the homeless, showing love, bringing awareness and filming the journey, all the way across the entire country. Without apologies or hesitation ‘Moses’ states with unwavering conviction; “Wherever there is a need for us, that’s where we’ll be. God, will make a way”.
s nation ng do urch i h t o l h pc tian C ring u gathe First Chris l’ l e h ‘Mitc embers of m from
Rev. Huxtab le gives a bla nket to a ma touched his n who heart this da y.
Volunteers h elp load the truck with e from First C ven more do hristian. nations
1-LOVE 1 MISSION HEADS TO SPRINGFIELD IL.
Little “Grace”, Rev. Huxtable’s daughter happily helped so many.
For more information on 1-Love / 1-Mission Movement and the nationwide outreach for the homeless please
Hit 70’s Series, “Good Times” star, ‘Thelma’ invites fans to help produce Movie
H
it 70’s Series, “Good Times” star Bern Nadette Stanis, who played the very loveable and beautiful ‘Thelma’ on the blockbuster show invites fans to help the original cast to produce their version of a “Good Times” movie! Yep, it’s all 100 % TRU. And here’s the lowdown… As many of you already know the 1970’s hit series “Good Times” along with other television favorites like “What’s Happening”, and “Sanford & Son” paved the way for dozens of successful black sitcoms to follow. When we think of shows like “Blackish”, “Everybody Hates Chris” and “Martin” those great shows from the 70’s were the shows that paved the way! If you’re into following social media like the other 6 billion or so people in the world then you’ve probably heard all of the rumblings going on out there about a movie being made on “Good Times”. Staff over at Team Tru. heard the same rumblings and so we decided to go straight to the source. One of the iconic show’s favorite T.V. characters, actress, and author, Bern Nadette Stanis and I had a pretty interesting conversation on Tru. Talk the other day about the rumored plans to produce “Good Times”. She told me that she too had heard the ‘rumors’ and even radio stations and media tabloids had started calling her to inquire about the project. Problem was, she knew nothing, absolutely nothing at all about the project. And, for that matter neither did anyone else from the original cast! Yet, it was their pictures being blasted throughout cyber-space in connection with the ‘maybe’ or ‘maybe not’ movie project. Anxious to find out anything that she could on the mystery movie she made a few calls and came up empty. So, she says “she let it go”. According to Ms. Stanis, it was then that she, along with other original cast members; John Amos, Jimmy Walker, Ralph Carter, and Ja’net Du’bois decided to do a “Good Times” movie themselves. Ester Rolle beloved matriarch of the show is not with us today. We can’t help but wonder what SHE would think about all of this.
LM: Hi Bern Nadette how are you? BS: I’m good Lydia, thank you. LM: I sincerely appreciate you for taking time out for a little bit of Tru. Talk with me today. BS: Thank you for having me. I love what you all do over at Tru. Magazine. LM: Well, having the privilege of talking with you one on one just made my day and is definitely at the top of my list of favorite things to do. BS: (laughing) “Thank you”. LM: “Based on my understanding from our conversation earlier the film project (allegedly being worked on by other producers) is a depiction of Good Times from the 60’s and not the 70’s and that film concept also doesn’t include the original cast members being written into the script, so you and the rest of the original cast have created a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to produce your own version of “Good Times, the original Cast Movie” correct? BS: “Yes, coming up with the idea to do a ‘Kickstarter’ campaign is exactly what we did. We thought now that’s a fun idea and that’s where the fans can go to support the movie too if they want to see it happen. They’ve wanted a movie for a long time”. LM: What are your thoughts on the whole concept of a production which would set the show in the 60’s? BS: “I’m thinking how could anybody put “Good Times” in the 60’s when Good Times was clearly set in the 70’s? I have no idea why they planned to do it that way. Because we’ve had this brand for 40 years and we’re in the hearts and souls of so many people and so many generations. You can probably do a “Good Times” movie (or whatever) without the cast. You probably could do that if that’s what they wanna do- ya know? But WE made “Good Times”! The character Thelma, I put her together because they said being that I was the first black female teenager to ever be on television they didn’t have a concept of who I was. So they asked me “who are you, who is Thelma”? So I created her.“So I’m just saying these are the things I don’t understand you know? How people could put that together, change it up, take it out of the 70’s and put it into the 60’s, I don’t know how people could do something like that. Not with a show like “Good Times”. It could be with other shows, but NOT with “Good Times”.
LM: How do the other cast members feel about the proposed concept for the other “Good Times”? Do they feel the same way that you do? BS: “Absolutely, the other cast members feel the same way because they all loved the show. We put a lot into it, It’s something that we’ve lived with for 40 years. I mean, I’ve lived most of my life with Thelma so it’s like I don’t mind if they wanted to do it with another character that’s fine, but I said that it would be best for us to do our own version and our own movie up to date so that people could see us today. LM: Can you give me just a hint of what your version will be like? BS: We would definitely have children in the movie. My character would have three children and of course, one would look like J.J.! (both laughing) LM: I like it already! Can fans help push this project along by going to Kickstarter.com and donating to the film project production right? BS: “Yes, we’re on Kickstarter and fans can go to Kickstarter.com and search for “Good Times the Original Cast Movie’. LM: Is there a perk or reward that donating to the project qualifies sponsors for? BS: “Yes! You can donate whatever you like and you can get something for it. Your name will always be there on the credits as a ‘donor’ too. We all agree that that’s only right to do. This is for the fans. The fans want to see this and we want to give them what they want. So this is why we’re going to do it that way. We all want to thank them for being with us and sticking with us for the entire 40 years. It’s time to make it happen for the fans”! Take a look at some of the cool rewards below: Donate-$1.00 This is The “I Need To Know” package. *You will receive email updates on the making and timelines of the movie. Donate $5 (or more) The ” This Is No Jive, I Want To Give Five” package. You will get a thumbs up from all the cast members and your name on our official website. Pledge $10 (or more) The “Now Your Cooking” package And we don’t mean Thelma’s oatmeal! You will receive an Original Good Times cast PDF photo from way back when. I’d personally like to see this project get done. I grew up on this fantastic show and I’m sure ‘nuf a “Good Times” fan- so count me in on this one! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1378706694/the-original-goodtimes-cast-movie?ref=nav_search
The 1-Love / 1-Mission Movement gives the homeless hope we give them love, handshakes, hugs, prayer, money and encouragement to go on another day. We remind them that ‘they’ are not forgotten. We seek to encourage others to join the movement by donating so that we can bless someone in need, or by going out into their own communities and doing the same. This is the most important work we have and will ever do. Our motto is, show kindness to everyone you meet, you never know when you may be keeping company with an Angel.
VOLUNTEER TODAY...#MOVEMENT
Simple ways to stay matte all day (for oily skin) By : Dionne Ford,Professional Makeup Artist at “Allure House of Beauty Atlanta
N
o one enjoys that unwanted shiny-look that developes as the day progresses targeting your T-Zone, the corner of your nose and chin. This is because your pores naturally release oils that keep your skin from drying out. Using facial cleansers and toners that are infused with glycolic acids, will cut down on excess oil, as well as salicylic acids. Indian Healing Clay can be used as a cleaner or mask, It helps with excess oil production and helps keeps pores cleaned out and in tiptop shape. Rubbing alcohol over your T-Zone area (forehead, nose and chin), can help eliminate the shine, Use sparingly to prevent from over-drying. Don’t skip moisturizing your skin. This will not increase oil production, Instead use an oil free moisturizer so your skin can get the nutrients and hydration it needs. Try an oil-free foundation that is noncomedogenic ( meaning it doesn’t clog pores), or opt for a mineral powder foundation, which absorbs excess oil like a sponge. Try using a matte translucent powder on your typically shiny areas if you choose not to wear foundation. For those who experience extreme oiliness try Milk of Magnesia as a pre-makeup primer. This is a great way to stay matte all day. AIRSPUN is a loose powder that’s been around since the 1930s and still works wonders! This ultra smooth product hides tiny lines, wrinkles and blemishes. You can use this powder to set your makeup or as a foundation. This is a great product for oily skin and combination oily skin, It instantly absorbs excess oil and gives your skin a smooth, velvety finish. Use our Discount Code “TRUMAG” and receive 25% off your order! They have products designed to help you achieve and maintain great skin for all 5 skin types. I recommend the Jungle Clay Detoxifying Mask, the Purifying Oil Honey Cleanser, and the Green Ginger For further info: Toner. Email: Dionne@AllureHouseofBeautyAtlanta.com Instagram: @AllureHouseofBeautyAtlanta Styleseat.com/AllureHouseofBeautyAtl www.puretropix.com
TRU. SOUND BLAST
Hot Trackz Entertainment Label Signs New York Recording Artist, Ja Biggs
29 year old native New Yorker, Jakiem Swinger is not the typical MC vying for the coveted status of the next big thing. Ja Biggs is a refreshing exception because he gained his notoriety using education as his platform making him a refreshing exception. Inspired by his favorite artists at 15 years old he relied on his faith and intense inner strength to become a passionate wordsmith with a love for powerful storytelling. “Before I knew it, I had stacks of notebooks filled with rhymes and observations” says Ja Biggs without a DJ or producer to provide beats, he learned how to create music and from then on Ja Biggs has been constantly creating new music and lyrics. His swagger is soulful, with lyrics that touch on his upbringing in New York, as well as his hopeful vision for his impoverished drug infested community.
Upon graduating with high honors from St. Joseph University as Magna Cum Laude, Ja Biggs set his site on releasing his first record breaking hit single “Ladies” on KOCH Distribution (now eONE Entertainment). His mission is to change up the misogynistic lyrics many male rappers spit about women. His debut album “Star Power” was released on Famous Record Label and distributed by UNIVERSAL MUSIC. It has sold over 80,000 copies. Ja Biggs is the first recording artist signed to the new Hot Trackz Entertainment Label. His sudden christening by industry veteran born Just sent shock waves through the streets and Ja Biggs swiftly refuted the doubts of naysayers when he dropped his recent mix-tape “It Feels Like Yesterday”. This mix-tape is a personal journey that encompasses Ja Biggs as a person and an MC. His mix-tape coveted him a featured guest verse on Hip-Hop icon Phife Dawg’s (A Tribe Called Quest) “Riddim Kidz Late Night Sessions”. Ja Biggs is also a producer, primarily for songs that appear on television soundtracks. His songs have been featured on “The Bad Girls Club” and “The Kardasians go to Miami” and a host of others. His current hit single “i.f.l.y 2” is out now on itunes.com. Be sure to stay tuned for his NBA Tribute single that’s
catching a strong buzz on radio.
ON BLAST WITH
Jesse Murrah Straight Company ​By Dionne Ford
I
nternational recording artist, songwriter, and producer Jesse Murrah is back with his award-winning acapella group “Straight Company”. The Dove-nominated group is releasing their first album in 10 years. Loyal fans from around the world eagerly anticipated the groups new debut single entitled “ Awesome”. The group Straight Company is a gospel music group that was started in 1985 by Jesse Murrah. The group never ceases to amaze fans with their smooth vocals, They are acapella music at its finest. Their uniqueness and creative sound is unlike any gospel group of our time, Their fine-tuned musical abilities will leave you spirit-filled and inspired. TRU: What is your fondest musical memory? Jesse Murrah: “My memory of a stadium crowd of complete strangers at KY State Fairgrounds singing along to our song and knowing all the lyrics! Blew me away!” TRU: What famous musicians have you learned from? Jesse Murrah: “I worked for years with Johnnie Wilder Jr, lead singer of multi-platinum group Heatwave. He liked my writing skills, I wrote and produced two albums to start his solo career in gospel music. Through Benson Records I was contracted to write with Nashville Producer Dan Cleary, Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, Larnelle Harris, Robert White Johnson, Steve Perry, and George Clinton...just to name a few.” TRU: What are typical mistakes people make when trying to pursue a career in the music business? Jesse Murrah: “Biggest mistakes people make in this industry is rushing & quitting.” TRU Magazine: Where would you like to find yourself in the next 10 years? Jesse : “In the next ten years I would like to be working exclusively in the music business, love being around it.” TRU: What has surprised you most about working in this industry? Jesse Murrah: “The most surprising thing that completely shocked me was how polarized and segregated it is. Didn’t know there was a Christian Music industry vs a Gospel Music Industry! Very Shocking!”
The song “AWESOME” (The Anthem) is the anthem that every Christian can hang their hat on. The single is set to be released Jan 23, 2016 on iTunes. Contact Jesse Murrah: Website: straightcompanyvusic.com Email: Essiejmusic@yahoo.com
By : CORRETTA DOCTOR
MOTIVATOR,EDUCATOR, HIT MAKER When success is an option, you choose nothing else. Rapper Black Jewelz possesses a laser sharp focus on success and he is truly living out his passion in the work he does in the Music Industry. Young people are faced with many options in this world and choosing a career, specifically in the Music Industry, can be a scary, not to mention, sometimes difficult choice. As an Independent Music Artist, Black Jewelz is no stranger to the music entertainment industry. He is a Rapper and rap is much more than just an art for him. Since his pre-teen days, rap culminated into a force of communication for Black Jewelz when he could not otherwise express himself. The art of Rap, along with a fierce endeavor to survive hardships and create a legacy in this business, has contributed to Black Jewelz’s success today. At age 29, Black Jewelz is an award winning Hip Hop Rap Artist from New Haven, Connecticut. He is sponsored by Jeremiah’s Kall Productions, hailing from Maryland, where Black Jewelz currently resides. His style has rhythmic, melodic flavor to his style, one that cannot easily be replicated. The lyrics are memorable, the flow respectable. Rap has created an entity within Black Jewelz and he has created a style like no other with his craft of music. Black Jewelz lists Eminem as someone he would be interested in working with and Lecrae would be another mainstream artist that Black Jewelz would tour with. Black Jewelz believes in the artistic process, sticks with it and sees the result his hard work, determination and personal efforts.
Website: www.TheBlackJewelz.com Facebook: Black Jewelz Reverbnation: Black Jewelz Instagram: @TheBlackJewelz Twitter: @TheBlackJewelz YouTube: The Black Jewelz For Booking, Media and PR: Jeremiah’s Kall Productions www.JeremiahsKall.com (410) 340-0165
Wth a Dj as a Farther, Black Jewelz was exposed to music from an early age. By age eleven, he was already writing and creating music. He would listen to great musicians such as Stevie Wonder and The Jackson Five as a child, gaining inspiration that helped him get to his current level of artistry, creativity and craftsmanship. Though he made some rough choices early on, some that got him expelled from school during the second week of his senior year, which nearly resulted in incarceration, he quickly turned his life around and is now very focused inspiring people. He uses rap to explore different situations and give a message. He has a history book worth of lessons learned at his disposal. He knows all too well the consequences of getting side tracked from your dreams. In listening to his music, seeing his growth in the industry and watching him mentor others, it is evident that Black Jewelz is growing an enterprise that will one day become his legacy, one that is filled with passion, hope and experience that will encourage others to never give up on their dreams, even if the battle gets tough. He feels blessed and a sense of accomplished when he hears that people are inspired and motivated by his music. These stories inspire him to continue following his dreams Black Jewelz wants all striving musicians and indie artists to never give up on their dreams and goals. Independency in this business can be daunting. Indie artists are essentially financing their own dreams and pulling the weight and responsibilities of marketing, producing, managing, selling, promoting, booking and many other roles. Black Jewelz encourages stuggling artist to “Remember why you started doing whatever you are doing, a writer, musician, or whatever, just hold on to that initial inspiration and passion. Educate yourself on the past music trends that legends underwent and also learn what’s trending now to learn where the industry is going. The seminal fan base and following for Black Jewelz is mostly on the East Coast by default because he is from Connecticut. Even before he released an Album he was performing on stages, including the Apollo Theatre in New York. With many new listeners visiting his social media sites daily and his recent exposure in various magazines and interviews, Black Jewelz is marching steadfast towards his goals of becoming a mainstream artist. Within ten years, he hopes to develop after-school programs based around music, for inner-city kids. He is aspiring to be known as a legendary rapper and wants to place various music based programs in multiple communities around the country with the main goal of positively impacting the lives of youth. Black Jewelz loves working with youth. Suicide Awareness and Prevention is a specific cause that Black Jewelz is personally drawn to. He is a survivor that has lived for years with suicide ideation as a youth. He had a rough childhood; he [even] grew up hearing people talking about suicide. As a child, he struggled with wanting to commit suicide through his early teens. In his late teens he became a Christian and he found hope and redemption and his entire perspective on living changed. He chose life over death by suicide. Yet, years later through harsh trials, those suicidal thoughts came back. Black Jewelz penned a song, ‘The Temptress’, he says the song came to him from an organic place. The lyrics are literal and are a direct correlation to a period of his life around 2013. Black Jewelz feels like suicide gets brushed off a lot as merely a chemical imbalance, but he knows it is much more prevalent than people realize. Suicide Awareness and Prevention is a prominent cause and Black Jewelz, like many survivors, chose life. For the readers out there faced with struggles and issues, know that hope is there and organizations like The American Foundation for Suicide: Prevention (www.AFSP.org) provide resources, information and personal help from professionals trained in the awareness and prevention of Suicide. The International Music Entertainment Association awarded Black Jewelz’s album BLACK MARKET as the 2014 Hip Hop Album of the Year. Black Jewelz is a phenomenal well rounded entertainer. He is a concert performer, a motivational speaker, a lyricist and producer. You are encouraged to follow Black Jewelz on his journey:
“CHRIS JASPER: The Isley Brothers ‘Sound’ comes from me”!
By: Hayley Drinkall
H
ear the name Chris Jasper and you may question who the man behind the name is. Say The ‘Isley Brothers’ and it’s instantly familiar. Monster hits like; “Summer Breeze”, “Love The One Your With”, “Caravan Of Love” and tons more, are all Isley Brothers classics you may be familiar with that were actually composed by Jasper. What many fans who noticed this cute band member standing in the background of the album cover photos likely didn’t know, is that Chris, a classically trained musician and composer was the man responsible for that one of a kind Isley Brothers SOUND... behind the scenes! We decided to go deep with Chris as he recalls those days, and that era and shares with us what it means to be a part of creating a part of TRU. Music History. THE INTERVIEW PG 28
TRU: Hi Chris! Thanks firstly for your time. We really wanted to start this interview by going right back to the beginnings and your life growing up. You have been blessed with seven other siblings in your very musical family, is that right? CHRIS: Yes !! (He laughs) my mother played piano and she read music. My uncle was a virtuoso violinist so I always grew up around music. I heard my mother playing all the time so I was able to see very talented people at an early age play music.
TRU: Who encouraged you to play the piano at the tender age of 7? CHRIS: My mother. We had a piano in our living room. I would hear her play I always would listen to her, and it encouraged me to go and mess around a bit I had a really good ear, and my mother noticed that I could get pretty close to pitch in the chords played to me.
TRU: What made you realize you could compose a song and put it all together? CHRIS: I would compose a piece of music I would have a nice melody or a lyric and as I got older I would put them together. I was in high school when I first composed a full piece. But I was torn between classical and R & B. The first piece I did complete was a jazz composition for the Jazzmen Trio. TRU: How did the progression from been in the Jazzmen Trio to being in the Isley Brothers come about?
CHRIS: The Jazzmen Trio came about kind of not by mistake (laughs) , but when the older Isley’s moved to New York. Then Ernie and Marvin followed. Everybody came from Cincinnati. They moved to New York and New Jersey first. I was still in Cincinnati. I would come up and visit my sister Elaine. who married Rudolf Isley. During the summer, I would come up and visit my sister Elaine and Ernie played the drums which I didn’t know (laughs). That first visit I saw that he had a drum kit ,and I’d say let’s play. We jammed on some songs and found we had a little chemistry going on. Every summer we would do the same thing. At the time, Marvin didn’t play an instrument and I said “Hey Marvin you should learn to play bass. That would really round out our trio. So he would practice, and over time he got really good and we started playing gigs around the local area, That was the beginning of us as a group The Jazzmen Trio. The older guys would even come to some of our gigs and the saw the crowd’s reaction. They recognized that we had something pretty special going on so they wanted us to start playing with them on the records and some dates here and there. It was very much a progression that we ended up playing together with the older brothers. TRU: As a group when you were all playing together, and it worked, from your perspective what was your first recollection of you all becoming really successful? CHRIS: There seemed to be a slow progression from the sound the older brothers had to, as time went on, a lot of covers for example ‘Love The One Your With and Fire And Rain. We started to get a more rhythm section sound the more that we became involved so yes it was a gradual change to the sound of the group as we did more and more and became more known.
JAZZMAN TRIO
TRU : Was it a group decision to be credited with the song sorting as a group even though you wrote the songs? CHRIS: It was due to the fact that we were partners at the time. Everybody was sharing income and it really didn’t reflect what was going on creatively. It was a business partnership. Creatively I was writing most of the music. Ernie was writing a lot too. Marvin would have an idea or so every now and again. The bulk of it was written by me and Ernie. Everyone’s names were on there because of the partnership. That’s why the credits appears that way on the records.
TRU : Was the crediting of the music a factor in the disbanding of the group as there is an interest in the fact that there was this fallout before you went on yourself to make music. CHRIS: The disbanding was kinda because of the partnership (laughs) Things weren’t really equal like they should have been like financially. The younger brothers, we weren’t getting what we should have been getting and the older brothers had a lot of obligations that we didn’t have. They went to file for bankruptcy to break the CBS contract and we weren’t in agreement with that. We (younger ones) didn’t have those kind of obligations so that put a strain on the relationship and we really just could not go on together with disagreements on which way to go forward which is how we ended up forming, Isley Jasper Isley TRU: Did that situation affect the way you wrote the music? CHRIS. : No we worked the same way when we formed Isley Jasper Isley. We had three albums in a row in 1984, 1985, 1986, every year, just like we had been doing with the Isley Brothers. The reason we were able to do that was because nothing had changed except that we weren’t with the older brothers anymore. The only thing different was that there were different lead singers now. But we recorded in exactly the same way. A lot of people don’t know that the older brothers weren’t even there during some of that recording the older guys weren’t in the studio. They would come in to do their vocals which is why the transition to Isley jasper Isley was so easy. TRU: When did you first form Gold City Music.? Chris: Right after Isley Jasper Isley disbanded that was 1987. Then the first solo album came out with a CBS associated label and Gold City called Superbad. TRU: How has it been for you having your own music company and producing your own music? Does that give you a lot more freedom creatively? Chris: Oh yeah most definitely. I can record any kind of music I want. Like now I’m working on a film score, which the score will probably be on gold city music. I did four gospel albums so I can do anything I want. That creative freedom is what I’ve always wanted. TRU : How would you describe to readers what your musical sound is? Chris: I would say mainly R&B because I’m basically an R&B artist forever( laughs) I do incorporate other things like the classical influence but in its roots is R&B. It’s a natural progression as I was doing so much with both groups. Firstly a six-man group(Isley Brothers) then a three man group( Isley Jasper Isley). I was doing so much of the work that it was almost like a solo project with other people involved. Even engineers would just write Chris Jasper, Producer. No one told them to do it, it’s just what they saw going on so they just wrote; Isley Brothers, Producer Chris Jasper. But that’s because I was involved in every little thing. I booked the dates I was recording the tracks from day one doing most of the over-dubbing playing the instruments etc. When I went on to do my solo projects it wasn’t a difficult transition.
TRU : This is what I really want to get across to our readers because people don’t know and just think that you were in the group and everyone worked together. People don’t realize just what the extent of your involvement was and that you actually wrote the songs and also what you are doing now. Chris: Yes ! Which is why I can carry on that sound because I was the one doing all the over-dubbing and playing instruments and keyboards, kind of directing what went on. So in every aspect of the recording, I was involved. TRU: So like you say, Chris, it’s a natural progression and was easy for you. Chris: My solo projects are carrying on the same function but without the other guys (laughs). I’ve been doing the same thing all along. TRU : You mentioned,Chris about the film score which leads me to asking what projects you are working on now? Chris : Well, I’m working on new music all the time and the film score. My son Michael has written a screenplay and what we’re gonna do is make an Ebook out of it and also pitch it to some film studios. In the meantime, we are working on the score and there are a lot of great songs. My other son Nick who also does the graphic art for the albums,is also doing character design. We are going to present it with these things in mind letting people see the visual having the screenplay available and also so that they can hear the music that goes with it. It’s a little bit of a different approach of pitching a screenplay, the complete way of doing it. TRU : So you have everything in one package? Chris: Yes we’ve been doing this for a few months now.As soon as Nick has all the character design online we can start putting things up on the website so people can see what’s coming and we can also use it for pitching. I think it would take a major studio to make it come out the way it should come out. It’s not a small budget type of script. TRU : So, to summarize Chris, where do you see your musical journey going from here? For example a different sound maybe? How, do you see that ending up? Chris. : I’m going to try some different things I don’t know whether they are going to be vastly different, but I’m going to try some covers on the next project and expand on some things musically also in this project. I think that people are going to like it. I like to let other people hear the projects I work on like my brothers who aren’t in the music industry just appreciate music, to get honest opinions. If it comes back the way I feel it, then I know I’m on the right track. ( laughs) We’ve got a feeling that this time around when Chris has a hand in making TRU. music history, the world will KNOW that it’s him behind that great sound!
Uptown & Around the World Tru. Magazine Publishers Lydia Marie & Kevin King do mission work in Springfield, IL
1-Love / 1-Mission Founder & Executive Director Lydia Marie Moses with one of the Christmas Mission sponsors, Glenda Robertson Andre’ Foxxe, of Parliament Funkadelic in front of the infamous United Sounds Recording Studio in Detroit
Andre’ Foxxe, performs with Macy Gray at Northsea Jazz Festival
Songwriter/Producer, Maxx G. of G-Room Productions with his daughter who also happens to be a producer, T-Flip
Natalie G. helping those in need for the 1 Love 1 Mission give back program in Chicago Il. Tru. Magazine Publisher, Lydia Marie and Minneapolis Area activist K.G. Wilson chop it up at a private event at Arnelia’s Nightclub in St. Paul
ARNELLIA’S The Legendary Club Apollo of Minnesota. Come listen to the hottest LIVE music in the Twin Cities every week from Jazz / R&B / Pop / Funk / Dance / Neo Soul Enjoy lots of other great events and shows throughout the week. Make Arnellia’s Your Destination For Great Live Entertainment!
Miss Arnelia”, owner of Arnelia’s nightclub in St. Paul, Minnesota. Arnelia’s is one of the few black owned/ operated clubs in the Twin Cities area.
A great bartender with a terrific welcoming smile is just one of the few ‘perks’ that Arnelia’s has to offer is happy patrons.
Promoter Bruce Richard packing the house
Tru. Magazine, Street Promoter, Godfrey Mitchell and avid ‘Stepper’, K.G. Wilson
DJ Ray Richardson.
The crowd at Arnelia’s gets heated up to the sounds of DJ Ray Richardson.
Big L’s Catering makes some of the best fried chicken, fish and hush puppies you can find in the entire Midwest. That line to his kitchen stays packed.
A
ndre’ Foxxe is one of the baddest musicians to hail from the “D”! Detroit, Michigan is home to many of the P-Funk Allstars who have backed the legendary, George Clinton. But, only a select few artists in the entire industry are as funky, as entertaining and as classy, as Andre’ Foxxe. The always dapper guitarist has been carving his spotlight out in the industry for many years as a writer, producer, performer and lead guitarist with the Clinton camp for 30-funk-filled years. Now, at the request of his many fans, he’s doin his own thang. We sat down with him to discuss where he is today and how it feels to have worked and toured the world with the band hailed as funk ‘royalty” by every musician in the game.
Chopin it up...
...with one very Funky musician ANDRE’ FOXXE
Tru: So Dre’ what made you choose music and how long have you been playing? AF: My father turned me on to Jimi Hendrix & I loved the Jackson 5. I started playing when I was 8yrs old. Tru: Much has changed over the last 30-years in music. What do you love about the industry and what do you hate about it? AF: I love the fact that there is still a music industry I just hate that there is not much real black music anymore meaning true musicians in a band on the stage duplicating their recordings like in the old days. Tru: Tell our readers what it was like to play for one of the funkiest bands in history? AF :For me playing with George Clinton/ Parliament/Funkadelic & The P-Funk Allstars was very informative, I learned what not to do & a lot of the right way to handle the business. I’m honored to have been a writer, producer, arranger, musician, & performer for P-Funk for 30 yrs & now it’s time to do me and concentrate on my Funk for the world. Tru: With that said, what are you working on these days? AF: My new group is called Andre Foxxe & The Psychedelic Ghetto Pimpz. I just released our new CD it’s available on iTunes, Bandcamp, Spotify, & Amazon. I want the world to know I’m Funk & I’m Proud! Andre’ shared some ‘insider’ scoop with TRU. letting us in on his plans to tour very soon. To stay informed on his latest projects and tour information be sure that you look him up on Facebook at; http://facebook. com/foxxeman