Biography

Jamiroquai is a funk/acid jazz band which formed in London, England in 1992. The band currently consists of Jason “Jay Kay” Cheetham (vocals), Matt Johnson (keyboards), Rob Harris (guitar), Paul Turner (bass), Derrick McKenzie (drums) , Sola Akingbola (percussion), Lorraine McIntosh (backing vocals) and Hazel Fernandez (backing vocals).

After “Jay Kay” (born Jason Cheetham) auditioned unsuccessfully to be the singer of the Brand New Heavies, he decided to put together his own band. Jamiroquai’s first single, When You Gonna Learn?, was released in 1992 on the Acid Jazz label. Following its success, Kay signed a £1,000,000 eight-album record deal with Sony BMG Music Entertainment. The band enjoys worldwide popularity and is the best-known member of the early-1990s London-based acid jazz movement, alongside groups such as Incognito, Brand New Heavies, Galliano and Corduroy. Jamiroquai has since, however, moved in other musical directions.

The band´s lead, Jay Kay, is a hat and car lover. During shows he always wears a hat, and he has lots of very expensive sports cars, like a Ferrari.

The name “Jamiroquai” is derived from the Native American Iroquois tribe, with which Kay has said he identifies philosophically, combined with ‘Jam’, as in musical jamming.

Sam Smith (Backing Vocals) recently left the band and moved to Paris to get involved in some other projects.


Band Members:
Jason “Jay” Kay - Vocals
Rob Harris - Guitar
Derrick McKenzie - Drums
Paul Turner - Bass
Sola Akingbola - Percussion
Matt Johnson - Keyboards
Lorraine McIntosh - Backing Vocals
Hazel Fernandez - Backing Vocals


Former Members:
Toby Smith - Keyboards (1992-2002)
Wallis Buchanan - Didgeridoo (1992-2001)
Gavin Dodds - Guitar (1993-1994)
Simon Katz - Guitar (1995-2000)
Stuart Zender - Bass (1992-1998)
Nick Fyffe - Bass (1998-2003)
Nick van Gelder - Drummer (1993)
Darren Galea aka DJ D-Zire - Turntables (1993-2001)
Adrian Revell - Flute, Saxophone
Winston Rollins - Trumpet
Simon Carter - Keyboards (1999-2001)
Sia - Backing Vocals
sam smith - Backing Vocals (2001-2007)


-External links-

Official:

Official Website
jamiroquai Official Myspace Page
live photographs of JK at Scala London

Unofficial:

English fansite
German fansite
Italian fansite
Italian Myspace Fan Page
Jamiroquai Biography (in Spanish)
Japanese fansite