CHELSEA COMO
Singer/songwriter and recording artist Chelsea Como is a native of Miami and started singing at her local church at the age of 4.
Like many R&B singers, Chelsea grew up singing in a gospel choir while she was in school and university. Her exposure to gospel inspires her to create a pure experience of truth in every performance. After graduating from the University of Miami Chelsea started doing background vocals, among others for R&B/Jazz/Gospel artists such as Lisa Page, Jerald Dorsett, Ashaala Shanae and Petula Beckles.
This introduced her to Richard Aspinwall, two -time Grammy award winning producer to American music legends Garth Brooks and The Dave Matthews Band. With the help of Aspinwall, Chelsea recorded at the legendary Ocean Way Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, playing with the likes of “Nashville’s Finest”, Manolo Yanes, bass player to Patti Labelle and The Neville Brothers; Elijah D.D. Holt pianist and B3 player to Lalah Hathaway, Angie Stone, and Yolanda Adams; and Shane Theriot guitarist to The Neville Brothers.
In 2010 she released her first album “Journey” a compilation of inspirational songs written and inspired by a life-changing experience. She writes her own songs and her music can be labeled as R&B/Neo-soul/ House. It has some jazz, gospel, and even pop influences. With an eclectic array of musical influences: Sade, Whitney Houston, and Lauryn Hill, and her voice often described as an infusion of John Legend and Indie Arie, Chelsea’s soulful and very inspirational message is portrayed in her music, often times dealing with the struggle of life and the hope of the future. Chelsea’s mission is to inspire people to be an individual, live life to the fullest, and follow their dreams. Currently, Chelsea is working with the likes of “Spellband” & “DJ Jacko” on a new dance single titled “Get Free” on Tony Records that is sure to get club goers dancing. She is also back in the studio working on her sophomore album.
DJ JACKO
Born in Rome, Italy, Jacko a/k/a Giacomo Berarducci started his DJ career in 1995. Inspired by soul, gospel, and jazz music, he is entirely devoted to the soulful side of dance music. When he plays, it is with a upbeat passion and a sincere faithfulness. His references and guidelines to the development of his musical taste stem from legendary DJ’s such as Larry Levan, Ron Hardy, Kenny Carpenter, and most of all Tony Humphries. Jacko’s style, technique and musical choices met Tony Humphries’ strong influence. He was hooked by Tony’s programming skill and by his mixing style depicted in his radio shows and – whenever possible – during his Italian gigs. For this reason, Jacko was constantly looking for all the hottest tunes, until he was recognized and appreciated both in radio and in the clubs, for his DJing.
By 1997 he landed a slot on 101.3 FM “Radio Centro Suono” and later another station called “Club Dance Radio” (the most popular “dance music” radio station in Rome). His radio mix shows lasted on-air for nearly 10 years, during this time Jacko attracted more listeners to the already growing “soulful dance music” constituency”.
He has developed his “Club DJ” resume, billed sometimes as the “resident”, or as a “guest dj” in many Rome-based clubs and in other Italian cites such as: Goa, Art Cafè, La Saponeria, Horus Club, La Terrazza, Jafar, Piper, and El Peyote.
The first international gigs were at London’s world renowned venues, The Cross and Pacha, with legendary NYC DJ Kenny Carpenter and dance diva, Ultra Nate. His first US gig was at the exclusive “Standard’s Roof Pool Party” in Los Angeles, CA. In 2004, Jacko played several times at Club Discotheque in NYC where Tony Humphries was the resident DJ. He also represented Tony Records at the WMC 2005/2006/2007/2012 in Miami FL.
At present, Jacko is part of the staff at Tony Records as a Label/Production manager and A&R. “I always wanted to working with Tony since the first day I met him. As our friendship grew, I would assist him when he would work in Italy. When the opportunity to come to Tony Records presented itself, I didn’t hesitate.” In the last years Jacko has been constantly on tour with Tony as his assistant and DJ supporter, playing in different venues in Italy, including Tony Humphries & Friends Residency at Urban Club (Perugia), Pascia (Riccione), Nu Echoes (Riccione) and Room26 (Rome). Also internationally at Djoon Club in France, Cavo Paradiso in Mykonos (Greece), Jumeirah Beach in Dubai, and other venues in Portugal, Germany and UK. Lastly in summer 2010 and 2011 in Ibiza at DC10 Club.
His latest projects include productions and Remixes that he had worked on with his friend and partner Tony Loreto. The new duo started turning R&B into house, to the point that they are known in the house scene for their infamous bootlegs, such as: “Miss You” and “My Joy” by Leela James, “Fade Away” by Mary J Blige, and “No One” by Alicia Keys.
Jacko often works in the studio together with two other roman-based, production teams. Those are Luis Radio and Spellband. They’ve been working on many different Remixes and “Bootlegs” from famous Soul/R&B artists. All the DJ’s are constantly looking for their mixes and legendary house DJ’s like Tony Humphries, Louie Vega and Frankie Knuckles, regularly play and support them.
Those club anthems bring you the right combination of soulful funky sounds and electronic elements. These magics come out from each one of their production, making it a product that fits both market, the european and american.
The most recent studio collaboration is the one with talented producer from Naples, Peppe Citarella. The ‘duo’ under the name of ‘Two 4 Soul’ is producing and remixing new songs and tracks for Tony Records and other famous american labels.
The latest album project Jacko has worked on is called “Yellorange History” and it’s a compilation of previously unreleased versions and mixes from the famous first Tony Humphries’ imprint.
Jacko is destined to become a major contributor to the world of dance music under the umbrella of TonyRecords. He is definitely one of the rising new stars of the soulful dance music scene.