J*Davey

J*Davey
J*Davey: photo by Anthony Williams
Background information
Also known as
  • J*DaVeY
  • J Davey
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2000s–present
LabelLEAU TECH (2008–present)
Members
  • Jack Davey
  • D'LEAU
WebsiteOfficial website

J*Davey is an American music duo from Los Angeles, California. The group consists of vocalist Jack Davey and artist/producer D'LEAU,[4][5] who formed the act after being introduced by a mutual friend in high school.[6]

Background

J*Davey is an American music duo from Los Angeles, California, consisting of vocalist Jack Davey and artist/producer D'LEAU.[7] The duo formed around 2000 after meeting through a mutual friend in high school.[8]

Drawing from funk, new wave, electronic music, hip-hop, and R&B, J*Davey are regarded as pioneers of dark R&B and alternative R&B.[9] Their 2008 double EP The Beauty in Distortion / The Land of the Lost is frequently cited as an early influence on the development of progressive R&B.[10]

The duo gained early recognition through Myspace in the mid-2000s, reaching influential figures including Prince and BBC broadcaster Gilles Peterson.[11] After signing with Warner Bros. Records, J*Davey entered a period of reduced activity before returning with new material in 2015. D'LEAU spent much of this period as music director for Miguel, touring alongside artists including Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Bruno Mars, and Drake. The duo has since continued recording and performing, including a reunion appearance at Solange Knowles' Eldorado Ballroom series at Walt Disney Concert Hall in October 2024.[12]

Band members

  • Jack Davey - vocals, songwriter
  • D'LEAU - keyboards, producer

Collaborators

Discography

Albums

  • The Beauty in Distortion/The Land of the Lost (July 1, 2008 - Interdependent Media)
  • New Designer Drug (November 22, 2011 - ILLAV8R) re-released (2015)

EPs

  • Boudoir Synema (2009)
  • Evil Christian Cop (2011)
  • Rookie (2014)
  • POMP (2015)
  • Lite Wait Life (2016)

2024 Eldorado Ballroom

In October 2024, J*Davey reunited for a performance at the Eldorado Ballroom series, curated by Solange Knowles for Saint Heron in partnership with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The three-night series ran October 10, 12, and 13, honoring the legacy of Black experimental performance across generations. J*Davey appeared on the second night, titled "Contrapuntal Counterpoints (Experiments in Funk, Soul, and Jazz)," marking their first public reunion since 2016.[14] Their set included catalog highlights "This One," "Raincheck," and "Get Together," with Thundercat joining on bass.[15] The Eldorado Ballroom 2024 book, published by Saint Heron Press and edited by Solange Knowles, features a post-series conversation with J*Davey.[16]

2025 shows

In December 2025, J*Davey performed two sold-out shows, one in Los Angeles and one in New York City.[17]

Legacy and influence

J*Davey are widely cited as pioneers of what has been variously termed dark R&B and alternative R&B. Their 2008 double EP The Beauty in Distortion / The Land of the Lost is frequently referenced as a foundational work in the development of progressive R&B, predating the genre's mainstream recognition and influencing a generation of artists including The Internet, Steve Lacy, Thundercat, and Ravyn Lenae.[18]

The duo's early adoption of Myspace as a distribution platform in the mid-2000s allowed their music to reach influential figures on both sides of the Atlantic, including Prince and BBC radio broadcaster Gilles Peterson.[19] Their music has been featured in film and television productions including Forever (Netflix), CSI: NY, Entourage, and Snoop Dogg's Bossin' Up.

References

  1. ^ Metromix Sonic Boom
  2. ^ XLR8R Magazine Archived 2012-02-13 at the Wayback Machine J Davey Talks L.A. Style
  3. ^ Lindsey, Craig D. (May 5, 2016). "Art of Cool Fest weds progressive jazz and alt-soul in Durham". Raleigh News & Observer. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  4. ^ The New York Times At the Intersection of Styles, Taking Some Songs for a Ride
  5. ^ "Review: J*Davey, 'POMP'". NPR.org. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  6. ^ "PinBoard Exclusive: J*DaVeY Interview". PinBoard. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  7. ^ "At the Intersection of Styles, Taking Some Songs for a Ride". The New York Times. June 10, 2008. Retrieved March 2026. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  8. ^ "PinBoard Exclusive: J*DaVeY Interview". PinBoard. Retrieved March 2026. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  9. ^ "Solange Knowles' 'Eldorado Ballroom' In Los Angeles: Recap". Vibe. October 18, 2024. Retrieved March 2026. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  10. ^ "What the Art World Can Learn From Solange". Hyperallergic. January 15, 2025. Retrieved March 2026. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  11. ^ "L.A.'s Experimental R&B Duo J*DaVeY Makes Their Big Post-Hiatus Comeback". The Hundreds. Retrieved March 2026. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  12. ^ "Solange Knowles' 'Eldorado Ballroom' In Los Angeles: Recap". Vibe. October 18, 2024. Retrieved March 2026. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  13. ^ Shamz. ""Audio: J*DaVeY "Queen Of Wonderland" feat. Thundercat - Okayplayer - okayplayer.com"". okayplayer.com. Archived from the original on January 22, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
  14. ^ "Solange Knowles' 'Eldorado Ballroom' In Los Angeles: Recap". Vibe. October 18, 2024. Retrieved March 2026. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  15. ^ "What the Art World Can Learn From Solange". Hyperallergic. January 15, 2025. Retrieved March 2026. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  16. ^ "Eldorado Ballroom". Saint Heron. Retrieved March 2026. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  17. ^ [PASTE_SOURCE_URL_HERE "PASTE_TITLE_HERE"]. PASTE_PUBLISHER_HERE. PASTE_DATE_HERE. Retrieved March 2026. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |access-date= and |date= (help)
  18. ^ "L.A.'s Experimental R&B Duo J*DaVeY Makes Their Big Post-Hiatus Comeback". The Hundreds. Retrieved March 2026. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  19. ^ "J*Davey". Wikipedia. Retrieved March 2026. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
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