DJ CURTIS HARMON IN TOKYO

Relationship Status:

None

When's your Birthday?

8-13-60

About yourself

I am the former Los Angeles radio mixshow dj at 1580 KDAY and 102.3 KJLH with more than 16 years (since 1991) of experience living and working in Tokyo,Japan. Born in Wilmington,Delaware then relocated to Princess Anne,Maryland and raised in nearby Westover on the eastern shore. Graduated 1978 from Washington High School (Jaguars). Formed the mobile dj duo The Dynamics with high school classmate Anthony Echols. DJ's Sam Doane,Fly and former WJDY radio personality Chris Barry are influences. Spent my high school summer vacations working and studying on the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore (Hawks) campus in the Upward Bound Program (thanks to UB staff and mentors Norman Tilghman and Alverne Chesterfield). Hooked up with mobile dj Ellis Crump's Disco Funk from Salisbury,Maryland. Included costumes,dance routines,light shows,fog machines and fireworks in our shows. Other members of DFI were James "Swann" Robert from Baltimore,Ray Lockamy from NC,Mark Hill from DC,Bryant Coleman,the late Kenny Cropper,Tony Crump and other crew. Organized and promoted "dj battles" with The Controller (Greg Stephen + crew from Norfolk VA),Grand Master Funk (Chuck Franklin + crew from Berlin MD),NYCS aka New York City Style (Mike Bryan,Tut + crew from Cambridge,MD) and other dj groups. Close friend and mentor Thomas Stevenson provided me the opportunity to move to Los Angeles and my cousin Golden Teagle encouraged me to try the west coast. Got to LA and hooked up with Dj Bill Jones from Irvington,NJ. With the help and guidance of music biz vets Chris Jonz and Wendall Bates,we submitted mixtape demos to GM Jim Maddox and Cliff Winston at KJLH (station owned by Stevie Wonder) with the plan of creating an alternative music mix program. Did the "KJLH Hot Mix Show" with dj/mc/producer Greg "ski" Royal (Mixmaster Gee) before moving on to all-rap radio station 1580 KDAY (thanks to MD Steve Washington and PD Jack Patterson). Thanks to Eddie (JDC Records),DJ Ando,Marr Takeuchi (Korean Air) and Larry Robinson (Avatar Records) I was able to dj in Japan and settle in Tokyo. In Los Angeles I worked as product manager/Billboard Magazine retail sales music chart reporter at Wherehouse Records,Record Industries,director assistant of Impact Record Pool,Tower Records Sunset (thanks to Lisa Session),dj,remixer,music consultant,promoter,writer,video host (BMG's Slammin' Rap Magazine),etc. My work in Japan has included tv-radio-tour dj,emcee,lecturer (California Fashion Design College),event planner,coordinator,special projects manager for Interlink Music,Voice & Rhythm/Handcuts Records and am currently instructor at The Akamai DJ and Dance School ( http://www.dj.akamai-center.net/eventreport.html ). Created,coordinated and recorded CD's with Danish music producer Soeren Petersen aka DJ Cash as The Funky Boyz (released and distributed in Japan by Teichiku Records). Planned and coordinated a segment of Yo! MTV Raps fimed in Tokyo with host Fab Five Freddy. Promoted events for Body Count,Ice Cube,Snoop Dogg,Dr. Dre,Phar Cyde,RBX,DJ Quik,2nd II None,AMG and others.
Everyone in Japan join my dj class at Akamai DJ & Dance School http://www.dj.akamai-center.net/eventreport.html

Which of the following best describes you?

Performance Artist, Event Organizer, Promoter, Club DJ, Music Writer/ Critic

Where do you live?

Tokyo,Japan

Website:

http://www.dj.akamai-center.net/eventreport.html

Twitter:

http://www.myspace.com/djcurtisharmonxperience

Skype:

curtisharmon