Before stepping into the spotlight Tuesday afternoon for his keynote conversation at the National Independent Venue Association's annual conference, I had the honor of sitting down with legendary producer and songwriter Jimmy Jam.
As one-half of the team that also included his partner Terry Lewis, Jam helped craft massive hits for artists like Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Mary J. Blige, Yolanda Adams and Sounds of Blackness. But all of those sounds started somewhere, which is why our conversation explores the roots of Jimmy's creative genius, from the songs he absorbed as a child through pop radio stations to the local arts organizations that first exposed him to a world of artistic expression.
You'll also hear Jimmy speak with heartfelt conviction about the vital role independent venues play in the music ecosystem, providing intimate spaces powered by passion, community and the love of live music while serving as incubators for the artists who shape our culture. As you'll hear him say, without these venues, we might never have witnessed the rise of icons like Prince, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Doja Cat, Tank and the Bangas and, yes, even Jimmy Jam himself.
His story, some of which he'll share this Tuesday at the NIVA conference, is a testament to the power of grassroots art spaces and the enduring legacy of community-driven creativity.
