The Jazz June

The Jazz June
OriginKutztown, Pennsylvania, United States
GenresEmo, indie rock, alternative rock
Years active
  • 1996–2003
  • 2014–present
Labels
MembersAndrew Low
Bryan Gassler
Daniel O'Neill
Justin Max
Past membersAdam Gerhart
Nathaniel Duncan
Tim Holland

The Jazz June is an American emo band from Kutztown, Pennsylvania. During their initial run during the 1990s and 2000s, Jazz June played shows with such underground bands as Built to Spill, Hot Rod Circuit, and Mineral.[1] In 2016, Rolling Stone placed the band's album The Medicine at number 33 on its list of the 40 Greatest Emo Albums of All Time.[2]

History

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The Jazz June was formed in 1996 by students attending Kutztown University.[3] The group recorded its first full-length album They Love Those Who Make the Music in 1997. The album, as well as The Boom, the Motion, and the Music EP were recorded through Canadian record label Workshop Records.[4]

In 1998, the band signed with Initial Records and went on to release three albums through the record label. Following a tour with Hot Rod Circuit, Jazz June recorded 2000's The Medicine at Inner Ear Studios with producer J. Robbins.[5]

Jazz June released one more full-length before disbanding in 2003, but reunited for benefit shows in 2006 to raise money for their former roadie, who had brain cancer.[6] The band released an outtakes-and-rarities compilation the following year.[7] In 2014, the group reformed and released new material on Topshelf Records, including their fifth studio album After the Earthquake.[1]

Name

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The band's name is derived from a passage in the Gwendolyn Brooks poem "We Real Cool."

Members

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  • Andrew Low – vocals, guitar
  • Bryan Gassler – guitar
  • Daniel O'Neill – bass
  • Justin Max – drums
  • Adam Gerhart
  • Nathaniel Duncan
  • Tim Holland -- guitar, trumpet, keyboards

Discography

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  • They Love Those Who Make The Music (Workshop Records, 1997)
  • The Boom, the Motion, and the Music EP (Workshop Records, 1998)
  • Breakdance Suburbia (Initial Records, 1998)
  • The Medicine (Initial Records, 2000)
  • Better Off Without Air (Initial Records, 2002)
  • The Scars to Prove It compilation (Universal Warning, 2007)
  • After the Earthquake (Topshelf Records, 2014)

References

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  1. ^ a b Karan, Tim (November 12, 2014). "The Jazz June Frontman Andrew Low On the Band's First Album In 12 Years". Diffuser. Archived from the original on January 14, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  2. ^ Bayer, Jonah; Burgess, Aaron; Exposito, Suzy; Galil, Leor; Montgomery, James; Spanos, Brittany (March 1, 2016). "40 Greatest Emo Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  3. ^ The Jazz June biography at Allmusic
  4. ^ Julien, Alexandre (March 22, 2011). "Workshop Records Interview". Abridged Pause Blog. Archived from the original on May 30, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  5. ^ Blest, Paul (March 14, 2014). "The Possibilities Are Endless: An Oral History of the Jazz June". Vice. Archived from the original on October 5, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  6. ^ "The Jazz June". Scene Point Blank. 2006. Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  7. ^ Review of The Scars to Prove It, PopMatters, January 21, 2008.