Michael Schiniou, known professionally by his stage name Jazzy M, is a British DJ and record producer. He was highly influential role in introducing house music to Britain in the 1980s[1] and has been described as the Godfather of UK House (a nickname given to him by fellow DJ Grooverider[2][3][4][5]).

Schiniou has also released music and performed under the pseudonyms Klubzone 1, Sao Paulo, Dub Nation, Zoogie, Erotic World, J+M Connection, RipJazz, Bernard and Phillip, JZJ, and Bushbaby.[4][5]

Biography

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Early life

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Schiniou was born in London in 1962.[2] He studied at Kingston University.[6]

Career

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Schiniou began his professional interest in music after taking a weekend job in record shop Shady Deals.[7] He has described being influenced by funk, disco, jazz, and soul music in his teens.[2] He began DJing aged 17.[2] His first radio spot was on pirate radio station Radio Fulham, at that time performing as DJ Mick.[7]

In the mid-1980s Schiniou began hosting The Jackin' Zone on pirate LWR, possibly the first dedicated electronic and house music programme on UK radio.[2][3][4][5] Jazzy M was the first DJ to play at the Ministry of Sound nightclub, going on to be resident DJ there for a record 15 years.[2][3][4][5][8] He has worked in, run, or owned a number of record shops over the years, including Spin Offs, Vinyl Zone.[9][2][7]

Later in his career, Schiniou turned to record production, running labels OhZone, Delphinus Delphius, Red Giant Recordings, Spanklin Records, Le Plug Rouge, and Who Killed Disco?.[2][4][5] In this capacity he launched the careers of the likes of Orbital.[10][11]

References

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  1. ^ Bainbridge, Luke (2013). Acid house : the true story. London. ISBN 978-1-78038-734-5. OCLC 874838519.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Jazzy M – Exclusive Interview – Iconic Underground Magazine". Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  3. ^ a b c "Jazzy M - biography". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Jazzy M | DJ's, Live Acts and Club Tours Agency | Pure DJs". www.puredjs.com. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Jazzy M - About Me". Jazzy M Official. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  6. ^ "Jazzy M". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  7. ^ a b c "Jazzy M". Discogs. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  8. ^ "Celebrating 25 years of Ministry of Sound". Red Bull. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  9. ^ "Beatport's Definitive History of Tech House". Beatportal. 2021-09-03. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  10. ^ "How we made Orbital's Chime". the Guardian. 2018-06-18. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
  11. ^ Mullenpublished, Matt (2021-07-23). "15 questions for... Orbital's Paul Hartnoll and Murray Lachlan Young: "Sometimes nothing but a 303 will do"". MusicRadar. Retrieved 2023-01-29.