Daemyon, Jerald

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Jerald Daemyon

1970(?)—

Jazz violinist

A classically trained violinist who began playing jazz professionally as a teenager, Jerald Daemyon transcended the boundaries of musical genres when he embarked on a solo career. His debut album, Thinking About You, released in 1995, incorporated rhythm and blues, soul, hip-hop, funk, and world beat into contemporary and traditional jazz and symphonic music. Daemyon was considered to be an important influence in the transformation of the violin from an instrument used predominately for classical music to one that made significant impact in contemporary jazz and popular music.

Trained as a Classical Musician

Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Daemyon was strongly influenced by his mother. "My mother taught me that I should never give up on myself, and that I should always believe in myself…," he told the Philadelphia Tribune in 1996. "She always told me to keep my eyes on the prize, and don't let anyone take away my dreams." Daemyon put her advice to use at an early age.

He began studying violin at the age of eight, in the fourth grade in Detroit public schools under Connie Miner. Soon he was spending his weekends in a music program at Wayne State University. At age 13 Daemyon began playing be-bop jazz professionally with saxophonist Donald Walden and the Detroit Jazz Orchestra. Later he formed his own jazz band. Daemyon also continued his formal classical training with Dr. Morris Hochberg of Royal Oak, Michigan, former principal violinist of the Cleveland Orchestra and assistant concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Daemyon attended the International Music Camp at Michigan's Interlochen School of Performing Arts. At the age of 16 he was awarded a State of Michigan Certificate of Outstanding Achievement. Daemyon also studied with the acclaimed concert violinist Peter Michalica and took master classes with perhaps the most famous violinist of all—Isaac Stern.

At the University of Michigan Daemyon pursued jazz studies and engineering. He also studied mathematics, secondary education, and music composition at Marygrove College in Detroit. Later he put his education to use developing secondary and college-level curricula in general academics, computer science, and music.

Idolized Duke Ellington

By the time he was 26 Daemyon had already been a violinist with the Detroit Metropolitan Orchestra, the Troy Community Orchestra, the International Orchestra of Windsor, Canada, the Tabernacle Chamber Orchestra, and the International Symphony Orchestra. However in the symphony orchestra Daemyon remained in the background under the conductor's direction. He longed for more—to compose, arrange, conduct, and play his own music. He decided to embark on a solo career.

Daemyon idolized Duke Ellington and, like Ellington, dreamed of becoming an ambassador of music. He told the Philadelphia Tribune: "my intent is to take contemporary violin into a renaissance phase, a rebirth period where I incorporate a little of everything…I'm hoping to lead a movement towards change in instrumental music, as well as how the violin is perceived in music today. Music is the most universal form of communication…and my violin is my vehicle to share my inner thoughts with my listeners."

Daemyon and his mother struggled financially to put together a production company and to record and release his debut album Thinking About You. Most independent releases are never heard in major radio markets but Daemyon was unusually lucky. His version of Kool & the Gang's classic hit from the early 1970s, "Summer Madness," received frequent airplay on both mainstream urban and adult contemporary radio stations around the country and came to the attention of GRP. After selling 65,000 CDs on his independent Jazzestra Records label, Thinking About You was picked up by GRP/Universal Records. It achieved commercial success, topping Billboard Magazine's Urban and Contemporary Jazz Charts. Billboard named it the "Best Contemporary Jazz Album" of 1997.

Daemyon's musical influences included such jazz violin masters as Jean-Luc Ponty and Stephan Grappelli, as well as contemporary popular music. A review of Thinking About You in Ebony noted that "with each of the nine selections, Daemyon elicits new appreciation for his violin, which is at times frenzied, tender and soothing. With the tune ‘Peace of Mind,’ the artist pays respect to the evolution of jazz with a moody, orchestral flair."

Over subsequent years Daemyon appeared with numerous celebrities including Bill Cosby, Gladys Knight, Ronny Laws, and Bernie Mac, and the legendary jazz vocalists Joe Williams and Nancy Wilson. He was a frequent guest performer on the nationally syndicated radio program The Tom Joyner Morning Show. He also continued to perform with various orchestras across the country including the United States Air Force Symphony Orchestra.

Produced Music Independently

Daemyon independently released his second album, The Jerald Daemyon Group, in 2001. By then he had moved toward the genre known as smooth jazz. In addition to composing and arranging most of the music and playing his violin, Daemyon played other stringed instruments, synthesizer, and keyboards. He sang on the album and rapped on "It's Alright." He also engineered and produced the recording and was responsible for the drum and synthesizer programming and mixing. He released two other independent albums in 2001 and worked on various recordings as a performer, arranger, and producer.

Daemyon received numerous awards for his work with children and for community service. He settled in Santa Monica, California, but continued to perform frequently in Detroit, before moving abroad in 2007.

Selected discography

Albums

Thinking About You, Jazzestra, GRP/Universal, 1995.

Jerald Daemyon by Jerald Daemyon, Oarfin Records, 2001.

The Jerald Daemyon Group, JeDa, 2001.

Jerald's Groove, Maca Daemyon, 2001.

Compilations

Cool Cuts for a Hot Summer Day, GRP, 1997.

Cool Fever: From Disco Jazz to Jazz House, Irma La Douce, 1997.

Masters at Work, The Tenth Anniversary Collection, Pt. 2: 1996-2000, BBE, 2000.

Steppin to Jazz 2, Steppin Muzak, 2006.

Singles

Summer Madness, GRP, 1996.

At a Glance …

Born Jerald Daemyon in 1970(?), in Detroit, MI. Education: University of Michigan; Marygrove College.

Career: Classical and jazz violinist with various orchestras and bands, 1983-; record producer and recording artist, 1996-.

Memberships: National Academy of Recording Artists & Sciences (The Grammy Awards).

Awards: State of Michigan, Certificate of Outstanding Achievement; 3M Award for Artistic Innovation; Billboard Magazine, Best Contemporary Jazz Album for Thinking About You, 1997; The Spirit of Detroit Award.

Addresses: Web—www.myspace.com/jeralddaemyon.