DJ Jazzy Jeff

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

DJ Ferno: Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

DJ Ferno

DJ Ferno
DJ Ferno performs at Foxtail Nightclub in Las Vegas during CES 2017. (photo: Cristopher Schafer)

If you’ve ever seen an episode of DJ Jazzy Jeff’s Vinyl Destination show, then you know who DJ Ferno is. A native of Philadelphia, the DJ/producer started off as a local party rocker and media personality and was recruited by Jeff in 2013 to join him on tour. Ferno has since spent hundreds of days on the road with “The Magnificent,” performing everywhere from Las Vegas and London to Thailand and Dubai. Below are his must-have travel items.

Items

UAD Apollo Twin Interface

“We tour almost 200 days a year, so it’s important to be able to record while out. UAD nailed it with this interface. I love the converters and being able to record with ultra-low latency. Their incredible plugins are a bonus.”

Ableton Push

“I’m an Ableton user, and since its release, the Push controller has been my main instrument.”

Alcohol Wipes

“We’ve all been in the position when the connection in the [turntable’s] tonearm gives us issues. Alcohol wipes solve the problem seven out of 10 times.”

Passport

“It’s a must that I always have my passport. A while back we were in Los Angeles and got a call that we needed fly to London the following morning. That was actually the day Will [Smith] and Jeff did The Graham Norton Show. I always gotta be ready.”

Shinola Notebook

“I use this to quickly take down ideas and outline projects I’m working on. I prefer writing as opposed to typing.”

***

Watch the latest episode of Vinyl Destination below:

Follow DJ Ferno on Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, and Twitter.

Related: Big Syphe: Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

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Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Watch a Recap of DJ Jazzy Jeff’s ‘PlayList Retreat’ Event

PlayList Retreat

PlayList Retreat

DJ Jazzy Jeff recently hosted the second annual PlayList Retreat, a private networking event that boasts a who’s who of influential DJs, artists, producers and more.

Like last year’s inaugural retreat, the 2016 event took place at Jeff’s sprawling estate in Delaware and featured a diverse group of attendees. They included legends such as Z-Trip, Shortkut, Lord Finesse, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, along with new school figures like Aloe Blacc, Grandtheft, Skratch Bastid, and Four Color Zack. Also in attendance were two of hip-hop’s most respected engineers, Bob Power and Young Guru.

“[The PlayList Retreat] is basically a collection of people who put creativity before anything,” Jeff said in his opening address. “Being in a music space [where] that’s not always the case, that’s what makes gatherings like this very special.”

“This is an incredible, life-changing experience,” Teeko commented. “The inspiration will resonate with me for the rest of my life.”

Aloe Blacc added, “This has been the best event in my music career. I haven’t met so many great friends and got a chance to work with so many talented artists [before].”

Watch the official recap video of the retreat below.

Related: DJ Jazzy Jeff Discusses Why DJ AM Was So Influential

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Tuesday, June 21, 2016

DJ Jazzy Jeff Discusses Why DJ AM Was So Influential

DJ Jazzy Jeff and DJ AM

Earlier this month, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Scratch DJ Academy‘s Cosmo Baker held a Q&A session after the Philadelphia screening of the DJ AM As I Am documentary. Jeff, who was a close friend and partner of AM, discussed some of his most memorable moments with him, why he was such a great DJ, and how he influenced the culture.

Related: DJ AM Documentary to Premiere at Tribeca Festival

| DJ Culture, Videos
Cosmo Baker, DJ AM, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Interview, Scratch DJ Academy,
Friday, October 16, 2015

Watch Bomba Estereo’s ‘Fiesta’ Video Ft. Will Smith


 
Bomba Estereo has released a video for its “Fiesta” remix featuring Will Smith. The visuals feature Smith and the Colombian electronic band performing at an African-themed party.
 
When asked how the collaboration came about, Smith said: “I was in Colombia with Marc Anthony. He was listening to music and I heard the ‘fuego, fuego’ and I was like, ‘Yo, that joint is crazy . . . I need to be on that.'”
 
The “Fiesta” remix is apparently just the beginning of Smith’s musical comeback. The rapper told Beats 1’s Zane Lowe last week that he plans on touring with DJ Jazzy Jeff in 2016.
 
Watch the four-minute video above and download the “Fiesta” remix on DJcity.
 
Related: Will Smith Plans to Tour With DJ Jazzy Jeff

| Tracks, Videos
Bomba Estereo, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Music Video, Will Smith,
Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Will Smith Plans to Tour With DJ Jazzy Jeff

Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Via Twitter)
 
Last week’s release of Bomba Estereo’s "Fiesta" remix marked Will Smith’s first rap verse in more than a decade. It turns out that The Fresh Prince has more in store, though, including new music and a possible tour with DJ Jazzy Jeff.
 
Smith revealed his plans during a recent interview with Zane Lowe on Beats 1 radio. “Jeff and I actually have never done a full tour,” Smith told Lowe. “So I’m looking this summer will be the first time we go out on a full world tour.”
 
Smith also said that he has recorded over two dozen new tracks. “I’m pretty much poppin’ in the studio every day and I’m looking for artists to collaborate with. I’ve probably recorded 30 songs. I have six or seven that I really like.”
 
Watch the full interview below.
 

 
Related: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Summertime” Receives Nu-Disco Remix from Dilemmachine

| Music Industry, Videos
Beats 1, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Interview, Will Smith,
Wednesday, July 8, 2015

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Summertime” Receives Nu-Disco Remix from Dilemmachine


 
With summer now upon us, emerging producer/DJ Dilemmachine has cooked up a groovy remix of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s seasonal favorite. The Bay Area native’s 100 BPM flip combines the original’s catchy acapella with a nu-disco instrumental, making it ideal for pool parties, BBQs, and the like. Stream it above and download it on DJcity.
 
And while we’re on the topic of Jazzy Jeff, we also recommend listening to the sixth installment of his “Summertime” mix series with MICK.
 
Related: Viceroy Releases Nu-Disco Remix of Jagged Edge’s ‘Where The Party At’

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