01st May 2011
Jean-Claude aka JC aka DJ Rev was born in North London to Engineer/DJ, Father and a Care worker Mother both collectors of music from around the world leading to JC being exposed to music from the womb, and playing the guitar by the age of six.
After being relocating to Peckham, his parents became increasingly frustrated with the negative distractions and during his high school years enlisted in every local art programme the school had to offer in a bid to keep in off the streets and out of trouble. This lead to him adding the piano to his musical bow as well as joining a Steel Band which specialised in classical music with whom he travelled Europe throughout his teens earning a Gower Young Musician of the Year award aged 15.
After leaving high-school JC went on to become a teacher for the same Steel Band played with during his early teens, which he continued until leaving University.
Musical Roots
During the late mid to late 90’s after studying sound engineering, and drifting from one band to another he became tired of the claustrophobic nature of recording studios, and the formulaic bands who seem to have no interests in pushing the envelope. So he decided to apply for an internship at a Record company, and with the help of is old lecturer Kienda Hoji, he landed a job at Kickin’ Records, and was trained by the infamous Peter Harris, working in every area of the record company, which led a roles at Sony-Bmg before settling in a Marketing role at Sanctuary Records overseeing campaigns for several labels including Sugarhill, Trojan and post Motown Holland Dozier Holland’s Invictus and Hot Wax Records.
Amplified
2001 he co-founded Amplified, a collective dedicated to the support and promotion of music not embraced by the mainstream. Amplified events have become a highly respected mainstay on the London music scene. As the web editor and music consultant for Amplified-Online, and as a freelancer, he works daily with artists and labels on promotional campaigns, album projects and live showcase events.
DJ Tour Support
As a DJ and under the banner of Amplified events he has worked with and provided tour support for: Raphael Saadiq – Jill Scott – Norman Jay – Nitin Sawhney – Gilles Peterson – Floetry – Amadou & Mariam – Plantlife – Dwele – jay Dee – Common – Roachford – Cody Chestnut – Kindred – Terri Walker – Rahsaan Patterson – Questlove – Jay Dee (J Dilla) – Ty – Charlie Dark – Lyric L
In 2008 after the release of the first Amplified album, JC grew weary of their direction, becoming fed of juggling different club scenes and gigs to hear his favourite music. Like his ipod he wanted a night/event where he could here Indie, Soul, Dance, Hip-Hop, Punk, Ska and the cream of all his favourite genres all under one roof and so soulROCKS was born. Since its inception soulROCKS has grown from a lone music blog into a collective of music lovers, fashionistas and musicians who share and express their passion for music love via mix tapes, blogs, events and any other existing creative outlet they can get their minds on. Lead by JC they now have a residency at the Queen Of Hoxton in the heart of Shoreditch.
In addition to his Amplified work he has also DJ as part of the Trojan Records collective playing alongside: Jazzie B (Soul-2Soul) – Daddy G (massive Attack) – Don Letts – Hard –Fi – Super Furry Animals – The Orb – DJ Spooky – DJ Scratchy (Offical DJ For the Clash) – Ashley Beadle – Guilty Pleasures – DJ Derek (Trojan Records)
Performance Credits
Isle Of Wight Festival 2006 (UK) – Fruitstock Festival 2005 (UK) – Bergenfest 2005 (Norway) – Rise 2007 (UK) – The Big Chill Festival 2007 (UK) – Shepherds Bush Empire (UK) – Jazz Cafe (UK) – Brixton Academy
