DJ Jazzy Jeff (born Jeffrey A. Townes on January 22, 1965 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American hip hop DJ/turntablist and hip hop/R&B record producer. He is best known for his early career with Will Smith as half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.

Together, the duo had several gold and platinum-selling albums and singles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, earning them the first rap Grammy ever presented in 1989 for Parents Just Don't Understand. When Smith branched out into television with the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Jazzy Jeff played the popular recurring character "Jazz", whose trademarks were 1) to be physically thrown out of the house by Will's Uncle Phil (James Avery); and 2) his silly one-liners.

DJ Jazzy Jeff is not to be confused with Jazzy Jeff from the earlier hip hop group Funky Four Plus One which infact filed and won a lawsuit over the name Jazzy Jeff against Jeff Townes and Jive records when they signed DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.

After DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince broke up, Townes went on to become a prominent R&B, soul, and neo soul record producer, establishing the A Touch of Jazz production company in his native Philadelphia. Among the artists that Jazzy Jeff has helped develop are Jill Scott and Musiq.

He is also credited for creating the famous "Transformer" scratch. (See: Scratching)

On July 2 2005, DJ Jazzy Jeff performed with Will Smith at the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia.

Partial discography

Solo work as DJ Jazzy Jeff

• One cut in Battle of DJs
• The Magnificent (2002)
• "Soulheaven Presents Jazzy Jeff In the House" (2004)
• "The Soul Mixtape" Groovin' Records USA (2005)
• "Hip-Hop Forever II" Rapster Records (2004)
• "The Return Of The Magnificent" BBE Music (2006)

As DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

• Rock the House (1987) #83 US
• He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (1988) #4 US
• And in this Corner... (1989) #39 US
• Homebase (1991) #12 US
• Code Red (1993) #64 US
• Greatest Hits (1998) (including material from Will Smith's solo career) #144 US, #20 UK

See also

• Will Smith
• Jill Scott
• Eric Roberson
• Kev Brown
• Raheem De Vaughn

External links

• DJ Jazzy Jeff (Official site)
• Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff Fan Site
• DJ Jazzy Jeff: Hip-Hop Icon Series interview (www.halftimeonline.com)
• Jazz Edward Geoffries free form jazz band who are named partly in tribute of DJ Jazzy Jeff.

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1965 births | Living people | African American musicians | Hip hop producers | Hip hop DJs | People from Philadelphia