Norman Jay has been recognised as one of the finest and most respected DJ’s in the world today. Having brought his own style of music to the masses over two decades… He is the man of the moment...
AJ: How did you get into the industry?
Just by accident. I didn’t plan to get into the industry and I still don’t consider my self to be in the industry.
I’m just a man who loves his music and strives to share his passion with anyone who wants to listen.
AJ: What got you into broadcasting?
Initially dissatisfaction at the type of music that was being played on the radio stations in London.
I felt there was a great need for the type of music I was into. Necessity being the mother of invention I set about setting up my own radio station.
AJ: Was it a long and tiresome process?
No it was never a chore.
It was great fun setting up a pirate radio station in London. It was the first 24 hour 7 day a week dance music station or “Black Music” station that it was back then.
It provided a platform for many of the UK’s leading DJ’s. Gilles Peterson, Jazzy B from Soul II Soul and Dr. Bob Jones and even the ubiquitous Judge Jules!
AJ: Being a broadcaster myself I was quit nervous on my first shift On Air… Was it the same for you?
No there was never any nerves involved. We were untrained, enthusiastic, naive amateurs.
So there was no problem because we never imagined that anybody would be listening.
AJ: How’s the scene changed since you began?
It’s changed dramatically world wide. I never thought I would ever be entertaining crowds worldwide especially in Sydney.
10 years after that it became a reality!
AJ: How do you see the future for Radio?
It will probably end up on a mobile phone!
Radio as you know it probably has no long term future. T
here are other mediums with which to communicate like the internet – internet radio, terrestrial radio and probably in the not to distant future people will disseminate their information and music from a hand held device such as a phone.
AJ: What is the future for the dance scene?
The dance future will always be good!
It’s like a chameleon. It always has the power to re-invent itself; to reflect the times, the lifestyle and attitudes of the people who are into it at any given time!
AJ: Who has inspired you over the years?
Good people have inspired me. From the world of fashion, sport, politics, art and music.
Good people doing positive things. No person in particular. Even the regular girl or guy on street who is doing something proactive can act as an inspiration for me.
AJ: Has your style/sound changed much since you began?
My style hasn’t changed much since I began except for the drum beat and the attitudes and the fashion of the people who dance to it.
Essentially it remains the same.
AJ: How did you team up with Jules?
Jules was at University and I was at College. We attended a party together and we thought it was pretty crap!
So we decided to get together to do our own because we thought we could do it better.
And we did!
The rest is club land history…
I was running an outfit called Shaking Finger Pop and Jules was the head of another funky collective called Family Function.
So we got together and started doing huge parties in warehouses together and playing the music.
AJ: Do you plan to do any gigs together?
That was a long time ago. Our musical paths are so different now.
There’s no chance of that happening…
Jules has achieved enormous success in the hard dance, Trance and Techno era where I stay close to my black music roots. The Funk, Jazz, Disco and House.
AJ: Having released a number of superbly crafted compilation CD’s
What are you working on at the moment?
Too busy to compile at the moment as I’m preparing for the world tour…
I’ve got three major things in the pipeline. I’ve been commissioned to do a Funky House compilation which should be out around Easter 2006.
Also doing a compilation for Brunswick Records and Decca from their vaults. I’m also working on Good Times Vol. 6 for release in August 2006.
AJ: Are you looking forward to touring Australia and playing at Good Vibrations in this summer?
I’m looking forward to it massively!
Australian crowds…Particularly Sydney crowds have shown lots of love and loyalty. Being able to play tunes to crowds out doors… I’m in my element even though I love playing clubs. Don’t get me wrong!
It’s lots of fun and very reminiscent of what I do at the “Good Times” – Notting Hill Carnival in London.
AJ: What sort of a set can we expect for the tour?
Well… Expect the unexpected!
It’s always a mixture of things you know really well, love and the odd curve-ball selection just to make you think a bit.
It’s feel good music, up lifting, it’s emotional and most of all it’s honest.
AJ: If you weren’t in the music industry, What would you like to be doing?
That’s a tough one…
I’m still trying to decide what decent day job I’m going to get in the mean time I’m going to have fun playing tunes and help people enjoy themselves and escape the everyday realities of this cruel world that we all have to live an survive in…
Even if it’s only for a few hours on a beach or in a field somewhere…
AJ: Having won so many awards over the years; which was the most notable?
I haven’t won that many awards…. I don’t know where you got that info from but the most notable was my M.B.E. from the Queen in 2002.
That has to be the ultimate. It beats any DJ award or magazine poll. The Monarch of your country acknowledging your contribution to your art.
AJ: What’s the future hold for you?
I have no idea…If I knew that I’d give up DJ’ing and make a living as a sooth-sayer… A Nostradamus look alike or want to be!
I’m just happy to be alive and do what I want to do – to enjoy everyday as it comes…
Check out his massively popular “Giant 45” radio show broadcast every Sunday night on BBC London between 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
You can listen live online or on demand from www.bbc.co.uk/london or there is a link from Norman Jay’s own website www.normanjay.com
Or catch Norman Jay at the Good Vibration Festival in 2006:
Sat Feb 11 – Brisbane, Riverstage
Sun Feb 12 – Melbourne, Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Sat Feb 18 – Sydney, Centennial Park
Sun Feb 19 – Perth, Belvoir Amphitheatre
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