Irie J is very proud of his West Indian roots and has travelled extensively throughout the islands of the Caribbean. Irie J made his singing debut in 1978 along with school friends and formed a Reggae Band called “Jah Warriors” as joint lead singer. The band performed all over Europe including Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Germany & Switzerland as well as touring England. “Jah Warriors” supported many famous acts including:-
Curtis Mayfield
Mary Wilson & The Supremes
Aswad
Yellow Man
Barrington Levy
King Sounds
Lee Scratch Perry
“Jah Warriors” performed at “The Anglia For Africa Concert” along with great acts such as:-
Hawkwind
Magnum
Amazulu
Eek A Mouse
These are just a few of the acts that took part which lead to “Jah Warriors” taking part on the “Lets Make Africa Green” single working with both British & Jamaican Reggae stars; including the legendary Dennis Brown.
“Jah Warriors” formed an unusual partnership with Chris Andrews whose hits included:- “I’m Her Yesterday Man” as well as songs written for the famous bare foot singer Sandi Shaw.
“Jah Warriors” produced their first single “Can’t Take No More/If Only You Knew” (Jones/Morgan) after which their partnership with Chris Andrews brought out two singles “What’s This Feeling” (Morgan) and “Apartheid” (Jones). The Albums/LP’s were titled: “Poor Man’s Story” & “No Illusions” which also featured Al Anderson of Bob Marley & The Wailers.
“Jah Warriors” disbanded in the late eighties when IrieJ was then known as Theo Jones who recorded at a local level with a local producer, Pat Alexander. This partnership brought forth his first singles as a solo artist “You Are My Angel”, “Cutie”, “Kettle Wire” & “Take What You Can Get” (Alexander).
After a quiet spell in the mid-nineties Ira Jones relaunched his solo singing career as Irie J. He discovered his soulful vocal side, listening to the great Luther Vandross recording of “My Sensitivity.” Since then Irie J has combined his love of Soul and Reggae together whilst performing on the holiday camp circuit and as a session vocalist for blues band “King Biskit” all over United Kingdom over Europe.
Irie J has also played one half of the dynamic duo “Irie J & T Bone” and for a short period of time “Irie J & Toni Warne”.
Irie J appreciates and loves all types of music from Country to Classical but his main influences musically are Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley and Will Downing to name a few.
Irie J is a talented accomplished singer/writer/producer who has recorded two solo CD’s which are a combination of his own brand of soul & reggae, “Focus” & “Level Vibes”.
Irie J has had the pleasure of working alongside supporting famous artists such as
Alexander O’Neal
Gwen Dicky (Rose Royce)
Imagination
Suzie Quattro
The Commitments
Gregory Isaacs
Irie J continues to perform across Britain and Europe and is currently working on projects with fellow artists “Digital & YT Dan”.
Edited by Ms J Gray
Buck Hill Essex
