DJ Jazzy Jeff returns to Boston to raise money for Berklee College of Music

Berklee College of Music has seen some of music’s biggest talents come through its doors. While DJ and producer Jazzy Jeff did not attend Berklee, he has crossed paths with many of the college’s former students.

“I’m tapped into so many producers, singers and songwriters, so many of them have had some kind of path at Berklee, from Joe Davis to Phil Beaudreau to Yaahn Hunter Jr. to The Pocket Queen. Every time I come across these people and you hear this story, ‘Oh, yeah. We met at Berklee.’ Whether you finish or not, it’s a really good meeting place to meet like-minded people,” the Philly native said.

The DJ making magic happen. PHOTO: BEN TSCHETTER

With that kind of reputation, it’s no surprise that the “king of collabs” is closing out the Amplify Berklee Gala on Nov 2 at the Westin Copley Place. The annual fundraiser benefits Berklee City Music students.

Berklee City Music is a global network that enables youth from underserved communities to develop musically, academically, socially, and emotionally, primarily through the study of contemporary music and the performing arts.

Since 1993, Berklee City Music has awarded 283 full-tuition college scholarships, totaling over $33 million.

As a music lover, programs like Berklee City Music are near and dear to Jazzy Jeff’s heart. He believes that exposing young people to music is important especially for those in the underserved community.

The DJ at play with crew. PHOTO: JTOWN MUSIC

“Anytime that you have any kind of programs that are trying to reach kids to see if they can tap into, you know, that mysterious talent that some of us had. It’s like that cliche that the best golfer in the world might live in South Philadelphia, but if there’s no golf course for him to tap into you’ll never know,” he shared.

Jeff’s exposure came at an early age through his father and brother.

“As a kid, being the youngest of six, my dad was an emcee for Count Basie, and an emcee in the traditional manner, introducing him when he comes on stage. And my older brother played bass with so many funk and soul bands and they were always coming in and out of the basement,” he said.

Jeff was really into music but didn’t see a career playing bass or another instrument in his future.

“Unfortunately and fortunately, by the time I got old enough, people were more interested in playing music than making music. So I started playing music for my friends’ birthday parties. I’d grab a spindle of 45s and go over there and play the music. And then that turned into, you know, me being a DJ, which ultimately circled back around to me being a producer and being able to make the music that I enjoy,” the award-winning producer remembered.

Jazz doesn’t call his family musical but it’s clear that music has been a tradition passed down through generations.

“You know, all of my kids are into music, somehow. My daughter’s a dancer. Her twin brother is super duper in the music, and I see him peeking his head in the studio. Cory is a DJ, and Amir’s a producer and an actor,” he shared.

When you’ve been in the entertainment industry as long as Jazzy Jeff, you learn a few things along the way. There are things that you want to share with the next generation, especially your kids on a similar path.

“I let them know the joys and the pains so they understand. My thing is, I’m never trying to stop someone from following the same path. I just don’t want you to fall into the same holes. And it’s a lot more holes now,” the hitmaker said.

Thanks to technology the music industry looks different than when Jeff first started. The seasoned entertainer embraces the changes.

“I love the fact that I can look on social media and I can find someone in the corner of the world doing something in their bedroom and realizing how talented they are. And I am really quick to repost somebody who sings well, who made a really nice track or someone who plays the guitar,” he said.

He doesn’t just passively scroll by these future chart toppers. If he sees something he likes, he isn’t afraid to speak up.

“I’m somebody that I’m very quick to reach out to someone on a DM and say how much I enjoy what they do, and tell them, if you ever need any advice, hit me up,” he said.

In an industry known for being cutthroat, it’s rare to hear of superstars like Jazzy Jeff offering the undiscovered advice.

“I’m not competing against anyone. I want to hear good stuff on the radio. I want my kids to grow up with good music, just like I did,” said the music-loving patriarch.

For Jazzy Jeff, it’s always about the music. That’s why you’ll find him spinning at Amplify Berklee’s Gala on Nov 2 and that’s also why he is so proud of his next project, one that he got to work on with his son, Cory.

“My son and I have a project of shorts coming out that we recorded all summer while I was on tour with New Kids on the Block. We started working on these songs that kind of cater to people’s attention spans. None of the songs are over a minute and a half long, and they are really, really great songs. And what I love is, when the songs go off, everybody says, ‘oh my god, where’s the rest of I wish there were more.’ And that’s the emotion that you want to evoke,” he said.