DAJ-BEHIND THE MAN, THE MUSIC, AND THE PASSION
"I love music! There is nothing else in this world that brings me more joy."-Daj.
By Terron D. Austin
For an artist on the verge of a breakthrough, music has to be the guide. "For as long as I can remember, music has been my guiding light, sort of my Harriet Tubman," says Daj. The evidence is in every step of Dajs soul-searching expedition for inner peace. But somehow Daj's never-ending musical quest always leads him home. "The music comes from the heart," says Daj. "They say 'home is where the heart is,' so I guess music really is my pathway home."
Daj, born DeShawn Jenkins, July 16, 1983 in Cleveland, OH, began singing at age three. By age eight Daj was already writing and arranging his own songs and singing in his local church with two friends after they'd teamed up to form a gospel group. Daj looked at this group as an opportunity to explore himself musically. Almost instantly, the group became known for their powerful blend and tight harmonies. It wasn't until he attended the Cleveland School of the Arts that Daj's knowledge, hunger and thirst for music grew. From there he began to truly consider himself an artist.
As a young artist in the making, Daj further strengthened his basis in music at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School (also in Cleveland) as a drama club member and musical theater participant gaining more valuable experience through choreography and stage production. Meanwhile, his writing and recording skills were waiting in the wings while he continued to further his education.
Later, Daj relocated to attend Columbia College Chicago where he met ReneeDion, a local up-and-coming songstress quickly developing a name in the Chicago indie-music scene. Contributing background vocals for ReneeDion and a number of her bands including Luos, Pathway and Emancipated Soul, for the next six years, Daj continued to improve his resume as the featured singular vocalist behind ReneeDion's early productions. His journey later continued with brief stints in Detroit, MI and Atlanta, GA.
But there comes a time for every protégé to step out on his own. In 2006, Daj took a major leap forward when he began working on his first solo project. 2007's independent digital release Hotel Relationship proved that for Daj it was all worth the wait. The noted conceptual album enlists Chicago's own D.A. and London powerhouse Julius with production credits on a number of songs. The album offers a blend of experimental ambient soul with R&B extrapolations of the future creating a solid 17-track project with a little something for everyone. After wrapping production of his debut while in Atlanta, GA, Daj relocated to pursue yet another musical dream after he was accepted into Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Daj was focused and ready to take his solo career to the next level.
As the lead singer of DeShawn & Indigo Moon, Daj headlined an ensemble of student vocalists, musicians and songwriters from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he also attended majoring in songwriting and performance. Constantly opening up to more opportunities and expanding his mind to make music the way he hears it, this budding musician and talented singer/songwriter is setting the foundation needed for a promising musical career.
But still there's a quiet spiritual and physical connection to his love for the melody. The treble clef ring resting on his wedding finger, which he declares to be his 'vow to music,' and the eighth-note charm cradled around his neck have helped Daj find his way home-to the music in his heart. "It's like my dog tag," he laughs. "Home is that place of stability and security. It's the foundation where your soul is at rest. Music is the equivalent and I'm just searching for that really. I'm searching for my soul to be at peace." Close your eyes, click your heels three times and make a wish for there really is no place like home.
