BENJAM Biography
Language: EnglishRecently arrived from London England, Ben Jam (aka Mr Jam) began DJing in early 1990 age just 17. Taking his influence from artists such as Frankie Knuckles, Larry Levan, Baby Ford and Kevin Saunderson, his music time line has crossed over from the early House sounds, through the groundbreaking early Rave scene, to the early UK Garage scene and back to house where he’s developed his distinctive funky sound.
By 1995 Ben had secured his first residency at EST, located in Soho , London . There he played lush US House beats every Friday to a young vibrant clubbing crowd. This proved a hugely popular night and led to gigs at Zanzibar, Heaven, Bar Rumba, Salsa Bar, Rub, Islington’s Medicine Bar and the Infamous Fashion Street Warehouse Parties in East London.
After two successful years working the bars and clubs of the west end Ben spent a summer season DJing in Rhodes, Greece. It was then that he moved onto TV & Radio promotions with Intermedia Plugging (looking after an impressive roster which included Kylie Minogue, Deep Dish, Jamiroquai, Bjork, Depeche Mode, M People, Simply Red, U2, Rolling Stones, Janet Jackson, Des’ree, Rialto, Ash, Johnson, Space, Tom Jones, Republica, Kele le Roc, Beverly Knight, Louise, Eddie Izzard and the Mean Fiddler Festivals at Reading & Leeds, Madstock, the Guinness Fleadh and Creamfields).
During this time Ben enjoyed residencies at Detroit in Covent Garden with Radio 1 producer Damian Wilson, Fling at Gadia (now Propaganda) with Radio 1’s Daniel Bailey & Ben Appleyard. Also gigs at Gatecrasher Festival Oxford 2000 (for a live Radio 1 Broadcast with Judge Jules, Ferry Corston, Daniel Bailey, Seb Fontaine, Pete Tong and the legendary Sasha), Po Na Na (Islington) and The Radio 1 Christmas Party.
In 2002 Ben joined Favouritizm, Favourite DJs, Favourite Tunes’. It was here that Ben started to really make his name, spinning alongside legends Marshall Jefferson, Robert Owens, Terry Francis, Tom Middleton, Mark Moore, Shades of Rhythm, Digs & Whoosh (DiY), and David Dunne, Jeremy Sylvester, Joey Musaphia, Guy Williams, the Sharp Boys, Ashley Beadle, Lewis Dane, the Yoozs Boys and many more. Along with Favouritizm head honcho Sarah Foote, Ben took to the airwaves with their weekly Favouritizm Show on Trust the DJ. Broadcast live for 10 weeks, guests included Robert Owens (I’ll be your friend), Chad Jackson (Hear the Drummer get Wicked), Marshall Jefferson (The Godfather of House), Pete Heller (Farley & Heller), Terry Francis (Fabric), Tom Middleton (Jedi Knights) Rob Mello (Azuli) and Soulsonic’s Stuart Patterson.
This was also the year of Summerhouse. This hugely popular west end event had a delectable line up of DJs including Boy George, Robin Burrowes, DJ Paulette, DJ Disciple, Guy Williams, Seamus Hadji and Ibizas Luka. This was his most exciting residency yet and opened the door to music production with Azuli Record’s, Jeremy Sylvester. They formed Real Fruit’, producing 3 tracks before Ben moved on to his solo project as Mr Jam.
The early part of 2003 was very busy, with gigs at Bashful (Pool bar, Shoreditch), Herbal (Shoreditch), Le Grand Oeuf (Moles Club, Bath), Ride (Plymouth), Funkshoppe & Better Days (the Retreat, Islington), Mother Bar (333, Hoxton), City Loud pre party (Turnmills, London) and Gatecrasher (Heaven, London) with vocal house legend Robert Owens. By June Ben had become more intent on production, playing less often but still guesting with Funkshoppe & Better days at the retreat and on World Wide FM’s Saturday night Jaded’ show.
Now in Perth Ben is continuing to entertain London Style’ with his soulful funky sounds and old skool house sets.
