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Jovanii "JAYNEZ" Nez |
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Tribal Affiliation:
Navajo
Genre:
Blues, Popular
Instruments:
Film-TV, Recording_Tools-Studio, Voice
Email:
jovanii_nez@yahoo.com
Phone:
505-863-8947
Website:
http://www.dream1records.com
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Rain Rain, Please Just Go Away.mp3Add JAYNEZ on myspace at: www.myspace.com/jaynez1 Send JAYNEZ a message at: jaynez@dream1records.com Name: Jovanii Nez Tribe(s): Navajo/Cheyenne Discography: “5’O’Clock,” EP 2004 Out The Trunk Entertainment, Rialto, Ca.. “My Family,” LP 2004 Dream1 Records, Rehoboth, NM., Los Angeles, Ca.. Published by Dream1 Music (ASCAP) . "Do U Wanna Dance?," LP 2006 Dream1 Records, Rehoboth, NM.. Published by Dream1 Music (ASCAP). Residence: Fontana, Ca & Gallup, NM. Education: B.A. Business Management, Chapman University, Orange, Ca., A.S. Marine Technology, College of Oceaneering, Wilmington, Ca., attending the University of New Mexico-Gallup in Pre-Med studies. HIS MUSICAL BACKGROUND In recent years there has been a wide movement in the Native American music scene from the blanket of traditional type music, into the mainstream world. Native Americans are beginning to make their voice known in genres of music such as country, reggae, metal, pop, punk, blues and hip hop. The Native music scene has been lacking the soulful sound of a rhythm and blues voice. Enter JAYNEZ. A bold young Native American of Navajo, Cheyenne, and Mexican descent. JAYNEZ has captivated many audiences both nationally and worldwide with his “true” soulful voice. Coming from a diverse background in the music and art world, JAYNEZ is no newcomer to the mainstream scene. At the early age of 10, JAYNEZ was introduced to an art known as “spraycan art,” and quickly developed exceptional skills that proved later to be one of the world’s best. In later years, he was inducted into a group of the world’s best spraycan artists led by activist, actress, producer, publicist and event organizer, Helen Samuels, founder of Mexcalibur, an organization which provides a forum for at-risk youth to share achievements and proposals for community action with one another and young people in other countries. Mexcalibur promotes the formation of young social transformers within a network capable of doing and spreading sustainable projects that enable them to achieve autonomy and self-sufficiency. The group known world-wide by the name of “Earth Crew 2000,” gained world attention by using their art skills for special projects and raising funds for causes such as cancer research, child-abuse prevention, drug & alcohol prevention, gang prevention, environmental issues, women's rights, just to name a few. The famed cartoon “Captain Planet” was created in large part by artists from the group and has been viewed by millions throughout the world. As a result of working with Helen Samuels in her many humanitary endeavors and the popularity of her organization, JAYNEZ was able to network with many of Hollywood’s celebrities and gain work and support from the likes of Tom Cruise, Jane Fonda, Debbie Allen, Gary Busey, the Mayor of Los Angeles, the LAPD, the LAFD, and the list goes on. This support enabled him to find work with celebrity music artists which landed him his first break with rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. JAYNEZ appears in Snoop Doggy Dogg’s first video with producer and artist Dr. Dre for the motion picture “Deep Cover” starring Lawrence Fishburn (Assault On Precint 13, The Matrix, etc..). JAYNEZ was brought to the attention of producer Dr. Dre by Snoop and was to ink a deal with Death Row Records. Unfortunately, the very next day JAYNEZ was unexpectedly deployed overseas and did not return for some years. Prior to JAYNEZ's meeting with Snoop Dogg, he had been diligently working with various musical talents and groups. JAYNEZ started singing at the very young age of 3 years old. He recalls writing his first song at that tender young age and still remembers some of it's lyrics. It was not until his junior high days that he really developed an inner desire to reach further with his musical talent. A junior high school crush and the last dance of the year, led him to first sing publicly. It was his last chance to tell the girl how he felt and not let the opportunity slip him by. JAYNEZ sang the song by New Edition "Lost In Love," to let her know who he was and how he felt. From that moment on, JAYNEZ unleashed the fire in his soul to sing how he felt. He felt music could only say how someone really feels deep inside. Music to him, is a dream to be lived in every note from the soul. JAYNEZ ventured into music with several groups, and with some gained a bit of success in the music industry. One group in particular, "Kashuel Image" had been virtually undefeated in many talent competitions throughout Southern California and almost inked a deal with the legendary Motown record label as an opening act for an upcoming National tour with super recording artists Boyz II Men. Unfortunately some major disaggreements in the group, led to the group to not meeting the deadline set forth in the contract, which cost them the deal. Later came a similar deal with Colombia Records and was lost again to the same ordeal as the first. Then came a brief stint with a local area label called Thump Records, which was a very devious offer that the group could not afford to take. This led JAYNEZ to seek other endeavors in the music arena. JAYNEZ had developed a knack for songwriting as the lead songwriter and musical composer of the group. He naturally sought out song and poem writing competitions and had a growing list of wins and achievements to include the Golden Poets Award in 1990 and has had several works published by American Greetings and Blue Mountain Greetings. With the falling out of Kashuel Image, JAYNEZ yet had another opportunity to form a new group called Brown Inspiration and had landed a deal to tour with the rap group A Lighter Shade Of Brown. With this tour, they opened and performed with many established stars and yet to be superstars such as Selena. Again, differences happened within the new group, and JAYNEZ decided to venture on his own as a producer and went on to work with many independent and signed artists to include Eazy-E, High-C, DJ Quik, and many more! JAYNEZ has worked behind the scenes for many major and non-major record labels, as well as contracting "for-hire" with major motion picture companies such as Sony Pictures. His work involved working as a voice-over and background artist, songwriter and producer on many projects and tours with artists that have reached platinum and gold status and have appeared in major motion picture releases. Under these contracts, JAYNEZ had learned a very valuable lesson about the ethics of the mainstream music industry. Young and naive at the time, he was often led into deals which left him out in the cold. This made him even more determined to succeed on his own. From the time since JAYNEZ’s first real break with rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg upon returning home from a few major setbacks in his life, JAYNEZ has been able to work with and share the same stage with international and national superstars such as Usher, Faith Evans, Enrique Iglesias, High Five, Eazy-E, DJ Qwik, MC Breed, High-C, A Lighter Shade of Brown, Kid Frost, Selena, West Side Bug, The East Sidas, Keith Sweat, Suga Free, Missy Elliott, Silk-E Fine, Bad Azz, Nelly Furtado, Jessica Simpson, Juanes, Dru Hill & Sisqo, Luther Vandross, Teena Marie, and many other talented artists. To include Native America's elite recording artists:Keith Secola, Irene Bedard, Marlena Begay, Jana, RedBone, Shalamar fame), Robert Mirabal, George Leach, and more! JAYNEZ has been working with a good friend of his and also a Native hip hop artist Yaiva for quite some time now. The two are motivated by much in the same goals. In 2004, JAYNEZ formed his own independent label and released his first full length award-winning album on his Dream1 Records label titled after his famous spraycan artist moniker “Dream1,” and now has a second album release to his credit. In his continuous road paving the way to stardom, JAYNEZ has performed throughout the country as well as in Canada since the release of his first full length album titled “My Family,” which has landed him the coveted award "Best Debut Artist Of The Year" in the 7th Annual Native American Music Awards (NAMMYS) in 2005 . With the anxiously awaited release of his second album "Do U Wanna Dance?", there is much expectations for a continued success, already evident with the huge response in new album sales. In this year's 19th Annual New Mexico Music Awards, his second album release garnered 12 nominations bringing home "3" wins for "Best Rhythm & Blues," "Best Hip Hop," and "Best Producer" proving once again that JAYNEZ is a talent to be reckoned with. His albums are quickly gaining the attention of many major and non-major music labels as well as receiving many spins on radio stations worldwide. Gaining national and international radio air play, JAYNEZ has been the most sought after Native American R&B vocalist and is quickly gaining the recognition in becoming known as the first Native American Urban R&B singer, and "the one to watch to pave the way for Native Americans into the mainstream music world." As an independent artist and CEO of his own record label, and by hard work and perserverance, JAYNEZ has taken the independent artist to a level that up until now, could not be easily attained without the help of a major record label. JAYNEZ has appeared on several television talk shows, to include a "live" television appearance and performance on "The Arizona Midday Show." JAYNEZ has also appeared or was featured on numerous news broadcasts, radio, newspaper and magazine articles throughout the country. detailing his many contributions to both music and humanitarian works. HIS MUSICAL STYLE A smooth blend of rhythm and soul remeniscent of legendary past acts such as The Stylistics and Smokey Robinson, to the present day acts such as Usher and Jagged Edge, touching on his colorful Native American and Mexican heritage, all combine together to create an original sound that makes his vocal style ability his trademark. To complete the smooth blend, is his piercing ranges that reach far down into to deepest depths of a human soul, accompanied by an arrangement that compliments his style and blends music and voice together to become one. If you’re looking for the next up and coming star who is sure to leave a lasting effect on your audience, you need not look any further. With JAYNEZ, you have found what your ears and heart needs to hear. His dynamic vocal range will send shivers down your spine and bring out the rhythm in your soul. To book JAYNEZ for your next event: e-mail: info@dream1records.com A personal note from JAYNEZ: “I aspire to show the world that a Native’s voice can be heard in this style of singing, and to bridge the gap for Natives into the mainstream music world, breaking down stereo-types which lead many of our people to believe that the only way we can be heard is with a drum or rattle in our hands. This is the our time to shine and be heard in any way that our hearts feel!” Jovanii "JAYNEZ" Nez HIS MESSAGE AND MISSION With the extraordinary circumstances that fate has placed JAYNEZ in all throughout his life, there were many hard-earned lessons that he has gained knowledge and experience from. Many of these experiences have been too extreme and trying on the human soul. If you continue to read on, you will find a more detailed account of these experiences in HIS LIFE STORY paragraph further below. In short, JAYNEZ has basically lived through some of the most extremely dangerous situations in life that one could be faced with. JAYNEZ has seen and experienced “first-hand” what so many of our youth today are faced with. Through the many and various experiences JAYNEZ has endured and overcame, enables JAYNEZ to reach many youth and parents through his sincere and very passionate motivational and preventative speeches. JAYNEZ stresses anti-drug, alcohol, child abuse, and gang issues as well many other subjects of cultural preservation and revitalization to his audiences and shares his experiences with those who will listen. JAYNEZ is also a strong advocate for the educational advancement of our youth as he is himself an example of how “not to” give up on an education. JAYNEZ has acquired several academic degrees and is currently studying vigorously in Pre-Med studies. JAYNEZ seeks to inspire our youth as a positive role-model within our communities, to uplift the spirits of those he is fortunate to reach. Currently, JAYNEZ has been setting his goals on widely working with many youth groups across the Nation, encouraging many youth to pursue their dreams of becoming our future leaders, as well as working with many troubled youth in preventative measures, using his music as an effective medium to reach the youth and to inspire the youth by showing them there are other outlets for success. His message has reached well across the Nation and have been noted by Government officials, School districts, Tribes, Youth Organizations, Urban youth, and more, to be "one of the most inspiring they have ever witnessed". Some of our Nation's leaders in program development are now looking into JAYNEZ's visionary ideas as an example to the nation as to "what can one person do for a nation." As a continuely growing popular artist and role-model, JAYNEZ understands the significance and responsibility this position holds. Given the many years of oppression and the continously ill-portrayment of Native Americans and Hispanics by the media, he seeks to use his success as a medium to breakdown stereo-types that have long been placed upon his people. In his own words: "Whenever people hear that I am a Native entertainer, they immediately expect me to come on stage and have long hair and feathers in my hair, or to dance on stage with a drum or rattle. It really shocks them when I come on stage as any other normal person in my style of music. Nowhere in my music do I give in to the "stereotypical" expectation that "Hollywood" history has portrayed us in. My music is color-blind and is for all people of the world. I do not have to prove who I am by giving reference to my heritage every other lyric, I know who I am and my pride comes with my life and the love I have for my family. Someone who has true pride in their heritage would never allow themselves to degrade thier race by doing those things. I cannot be the type of performer who capitalizes on stereo-types. I will capitalize only on my talent, not my heritage, and let that stand alone by itself. Our traditions are for us to hold sacred and not to commercialize. I not only represent myself, but all our people as a whole. The whole world seems to judge us all by what one person does, if I were to be that type of performer, I would only hold us back further. It the responsibility of every entertainer or person who is in the light of the media, to represent us properly by who we are today, not in our past. We must move on and stay true to who we are." JAYNEZ has a strong passionate motivation and is truly "a leader on a mission." To truly understand and grasp the significance of JAYNEZ's message, one must truly witness first-hand in person to fully become part of an incredibly inspiring individual who loves his people with a passion so deep and much needed in today's world. As popular as his music is becoming, it is to be mirrored with his messages and ideas for our youth's advancement. JAYNEZ is working on developing a "one-of-a-kind" youth program, as has been stated by lead government officials as "a truly inspiring and unheard of program." This program is based on what JAYNEZ has long envisioned given from his many outreaching ideas, meetings, conversations, listening sessions and successes with many youth across the country and will encompass all of his experiences and knowledge into one grand program. This program will seek to utilize the recording, performing, filming and media arts to create a revolutionary youth program that will attempt to revitalize cultural awareness and traditional family and community values among our Native American youth, as well as preserving and documenting Tribal history past, present and future. The program will also seek to develop youth entrepreneurial interest and practice, all the while teaching them educational worth and the value of a higher education. Underlying each program activity will be an array of preventative topics such as, but not limited to: gangs and teen violence, drug and alcohol issues, HIV/STD’s awareness, teen pregnancy, suicide prevention, health issues, academic deficiency and delinquency, etc., all of which Native American youth show high ranks among the country’s ethnic groups. By introducing the youth to “industry standard” program courses or workshops in the recording, performing, filming and media arts, they will be gaining marketable industry job skills, as well as attaining a wealth of knowledge and understanding on many of the aforementioned subjects.The nature of this program is in it's developing stages and could be explained in more detail by writing to: info@dream1records.com. JAYNEZ also played a key role in raising funds for the Navajo Code Talkers Memorial Foundation working along side Arizona State Representative Sylvia Laughter, donating his time and talent producing and performing at various events, honoring the Navajo Code Talkers who served a vital role in winning the war in WWII. A monument of a Navajo Code Talker was placed in Window Rock, AZ in the capital city of the Navajo Nation at the Veterans Memorial Park.This monument was sculpted by famed sculptor Oreland Joe and will be there for future generations to see. JAYNEZ is particularily proud of his part in the monument's history and even helped pick out the spot in which the monument is now placed. HIS TRAGIC STORY JAYNEZ's life story is truly an extraordinary one. He grew up in various parts of Southern California with his mother and three sisters. During his early childhood and teenage years growing up in the various poverty stricken, gang infested neighborhoods in L.A. county and the Inland Empire, he has been introduced to the many social issues that many of our youth everywhere are faced with in these crucial stages of life. JAYNEZ's life has taken him on a roller-coaster of tragedy and fame. From being a prominent leader in the beginnings of the Hip Hop culture, as the founder of one of the largest "graffiti art" crews in Southern California (Fox 11 news sought out him out for a two-week special documentary on his graffiti art crew. Columbia Pictures offered to make a major motion picture based on his life's story.) to a trajedy that landed him behind prison walls. From the time he was born, JAYNEZ has always been a "natural leader" to his peers. Others had a tendency to want to "follow" him in a group. This effect combined with his love for music and art, naturally involved his followers and gradually grew into a "crew" that started a "movement." Given the general social groups in many urban city schools, that have been the norm throughout history (bullies, jocks, nerds, etc..), JAYNEZ was not content with the way things were. He has always valued an education and supported those who wanted to learn. He led his followers to want to stay in school and led by example. He created social events that were "safe and sober" for after-school activities. He showed others that you could be yourself and have fun without using drugs or consuming alcohol. The popularity of JAYNEZ's graffiti art group grew quickly, as many felt more at ease to be themselves and not give in to the many peer pressures. Thier artwork was sought out by many local businesses and events. It seemed that life was finally going good for the aspiring artist. Unfortunately with an ill turn of events and with the intervention of the underworld leaders to disband all "graffiti art" crews, JAYNEZ now found himself the new leader of an urban city gang. Fate had another tragedy for him to now face. These turn of events all took place while he was still serving in the U.S. Military and away in combat fighting for the country. JAYNEZ enlisted in the Marines at a time when our country was at war and served in Desert Storm, as well as in similar conflicts in Haiti, Bosnia, and Somalia with the 3rd Light Armored Recon Battalion in 29 Palms, Ca. as one of the elite Marine Scout Snipers. Originally, JAYNEZ enlisted in the service with the goal of joining the Marine Boxing Team, with aspirations of making it to the 1992 U.S. Olympics for which he had trained for since early childhood. JAYNEZ was able to join the U.S. Marine Boxing Team, but was unable to make the deadline for his long time training goal of the 1992 Olympics, due to the call for duty of his nation at the various aforementioned conflicts. While serving in the Marines, JAYNEZ had married his high school sweetheart and had a beautiful baby girl, which he named her Jazmine. His daughter is his world and is in very large part why he is out there doing what he does for others. JAYNEZ was at the top of the world and felt that he finally "made it" out the ghetto life and on to his dreams. He was to never see his "little One" for many long dreadful years. Upon returning home, JAYNEZ found himself coming to the aid of a past friend, which soon proved to be an experience that has tried him beyond any before. JAYNEZ witnessed a shooting by the one he thought at the time was "his friend." The "so called friend" placed the crime on JAYNEZ's shoulders. Due to the strong code of the underworld of "not snitching," JAYNEZ was forced into being the "fall guy' for the crime and was taken away for almost five years. In the process, he lost so much and missed so much in that time period including losing his wife, not seeing his child, and the passing away of his first and best friend John Harris, who was killed in an alcohol related accident. While JAYNEZ was away behind prison walls, and with the disbandment of all graffiti art crews, the remainder of members of the old crew decided to form into a gang. When the underworld leaders gave all graffiti art crews the ultamatum to disband or become a gang, the original members decided to disband. A few remainders of the group which consisted of a new younger generation of followers who were mainly there to be a part of something. They had no strong ties or values of art as had the original members. It was this core group that later became one of the most violent gangs in the Southland. JAYNEZ's original crew members were completely against gangs "Jovanii has always spoken against gangs to us" is what they stated. A member of the newly formed gang was murdered one night, and they had no knowledge of who was at fault. In a rage of pain and revenge, the gang went on a frenzy of shootings with every other gang in the area. This led to many young lives brutally murdered and many young lives sentenced to a life in prison. With the well known knowledge that JAYNEZ was the founder of the original graffiti art crew and with the new formation of gang, all putJAYNEZ into a very undesirable predicament as being a "gang leader." This is one title to which no one would desire to hold behind prison walls. Prison politics basically told JAYNEZ to "get used to this place, because you will never see home again." Throughout those years, JAYNEZ fought on a daily basis to survive and find ways to keep himself from becoming involved with the racial issues that involved daily life in prison. This was no easy feat, and rarely has anyone ever accomplished this. He did, by the grace of the Creator above. JAYNEZ managed to make it through without adding anymore time to his sentence and successfully completed a three year period of a "high-control" parole term with not one single incident. Again, a feat in which one has rarely ever heard of being done. He thought only of returning home to his family. He never lost his faith, though at times he struggled and asked the Creator with much confusion and anger the question: "Why? Why is this happening to me?" JAYNEZ had worked hard surviving in the inner cities of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, to achieve a better life for himself and his family. He led his crew to be sober and to be against violence, rather settle differences by using talent competitions. He led his crew in High School of over 200 members to graduation, a feat that is virtually unheard of in any city or state. They believed in him and followed his model leadership. You may ask why so much wrong has happened to someone who has done so much for others? JAYNEZ had this to say: "I had to go through it all, I now know that. It seems I never get a break, but I now know why. Through all that I have suffered and witnessed, my eyes have been opened. It is all for a reason, the Creator has a reason for everything. I now know mine. I had to go through all that, so that I may tell others about it. I may have lost much in the process, but I have gained more than I ever had before. I found the true meaning to life and to happiness. Family is the most important thing in your life. You must live each day that you live as if it were your last. Don't waste one minute of it with meaningless things. I live my life for my daughter Jazmine and my loved ones, but more importantly, I now live it for all of you. We have to make sacrifices in life to help others." Upon final release from those dreadful prison walls, JAYNEZ had a newfound vigor for life and to succeed. He knew that society would place a pre-judgment on him by placing a new status on him as a "felon." This was not to hold him back in no way at all. Returning to his old neighborhood naturally led to many new hardships in which JAYNEZ had to overcome. He immediately set his goals on "reaching" some of the remaining gang members which had heavily become involved in drug sales and trafficking. Although JAYNEZ bears no responsibility for the formation of this gang, he felt he must try to disband them and maybe deter some of them from the life which they lead. He successfully was able to reach a few of the members, others he was not so fortunate with. JAYNEZ has since dedicated his life to working with troubled youth. Given his life's experiences, he is able to give insight to these many "at-risk" youth. He successfully uses his musical background to give him opportunities to reach large audiences all over.