Da JamZ Journey
Da JamZ Journey
Da JamZ Journey
Howdy Y'all! My name is Marty A.K.A. DJ JamZ and here's my story. The year was 1999 when I found what would later become my calling and deepest passion in life. One of my best friends, DJ Red Devil started DJing in 1998. He'd come up to NIU with his gear & lighting FX, and turn my many frequent parties into crazy bashes. Considering how much I loved music and always wanted my whole life to learn an instrument and get into the scene, it was only a matter of time before I caved in and bought my first DJ players, mixer, speakers, and lights. The only thing missing was kind of an important one.......MUSIC!!!
MP3s were just starting to become popular, but I was new to computers and downloading on the Internet. One of my college buddies was into Progressive House music and was nice enough to feed the beast. He copied my first 200 mp3s to my PC labeling the folder "Da JamZ". Determined to surpass the "Wanna-be DJ" title, I practiced literally non-stop learning to match beats and mix music with these same 200 songs. That "Da JamZ" folder was all I thought about and was like the coolest thing to me. So when it came time to come up with a DJ name, my first thought was DJ Party Marty as that was what everyone called me anyways due to my obsession with throwin' parties. However, the word "JamZ" was always in my head and had such significance to my DJ evolution due to that darn folder that kept pulling me in. So naturally DJ Party Marty went away in 1999 and DJ JamZ was born!
From there I started building up my gear, bought my first set of turntables, 100 records, tons of DJ lights, and everything else cool for parties and gigs. Started DJing college parties and all types of events. In 2000, formed JamZ Entertainment and just kept expanding from there. After reaching out to local DJ companies, two hired me for school dances and private parties. Being a rookie professional DJ, both companies quickly took a liking to me and felt I was a natural at reading a crowd, mixin', MC'n, and performing live. They wanted to expand my versatility so helped train to perform at weddings. Shortly thereafter, I was very fortunate and became their primary first choice DJ. Those first few years I was doing like 30-40 gigs a year. Word of mouth started kicking in and referrals became a constant so I stopped working for other DJ companies and focused solely on building up JamZ Entertainment and a network of industry professionals.
In my 20's and 30's, my DJ buddy and I partnered up throwing tons of events frequenting the bar/club scene. My ultimate goal was to become a big name club DJ. However, the mobile DJ business was too demanding so I became an expert wedding, private party, and mobile DJ instead. 20 some years later and still going strong with 100s of DJ events under my belt, I'm more passionate and into the music scene than ever. I still practice at least a couple times per week to stay fresh, and expand my mixin' skills.
Being as intrigued with lighting fx and individually controllable RGB LEDs as I have been with DJing, the past 10 years and 1000s of hours (no exaggeration) of research and learning to become an LED Enthusiast/expert later.....I found my second biggest passion in life (well, other than being a huge dog lover). If my gem of a wife, Tracie never heard the word "LED" again it would be too soon. Ha Ha!
It took many years to design and convert my man cave "JamZ Cave" to an LED-infused night club (6000+ LEDs). That wasn't enough so I spent much of my free time since 2019 learning how to turn our front yard into a true music-sequenced Christmas light show. In 2021, failure was not an option and knew no matter what this was going to happen. It turned out pretty cool, but it's never enough. After doubling the lights to over 9000 in 2022 and becoming a more experienced music light sequencer, the show turned out better than I had envisioned and has put us on the map as one of the real deal light shows in Illinois (in my humble opinion).
At the time of this writing, it is early 2023 and already planning for another doubling of LEDs and approaching the 20k mark with a whole slew of crazy customized additions planned for the 2023 Micheff Christmas Light Show.........plus a major LED upgrade to my mobile DJ booth and event light show. My mind is set on doing whatever it takes to bring our Light Show and make it on the world stage by officially submitting our entry to compete on the TV's "The Great Christmas Light Fight" by 2028. That's a very aggressive and difficult goal to reach, but just like I mentioned above about the first show in 2021.....failure is not an option so ain't nothing to it but to do it my friends!!!
Back to music and Da JamZ DJ Journey, one of the greatest things in life is watching your child surpass you. Dom, A.K.A. "AFTA" is basically a replica of me only the younger, hipper version (or at least I let him think so). He's really becoming an up & comer in the EDM club scene, starting to perform with some big name headliners. He's been my DJ partner & best friend over the last 5 years performing side by side at mobile gigs. He's versatile in a similar fashion to me now having the experience to perform at any event and adjust to any music style the crowd demands. Thanks to all of my partners, AFTA & a crew of talented friends, skilled DJs, and promoters, JamZ Entertainment is affiliated with a network of highly skilled performers & partners with endless resources that position us with the ability to take on:
Before I let you go, almost forgot to mention that I am legally an ordained minister and have been providing ceremony services over the years too. Similar to MC'n, my style when on the mic is to be fun, add a little humor, but keep it professional. I don't like to be some of those DJ/MCs who over talk constantly babbling. While I prefer to let the music and mixin' do the talking, I'm not shy by any means so always down to get funky and hype up the crowd.
We've worked with many photographers and videographers over the years so have plenty of contacts if you are in need as well as pretty much any related event needs.
Lastly, I want you to know that my promise to you will always include being the best partner I can be in helping ensure that your special event exceeds expectations. I'm here to help in any way and even if you are just looking for advice and aren't planning to book with us, hit met up anytime. I got you! Make sure to head on over to the Music page via the top menu button which has my all JamZ approved playlists on my You Tube channel which is a work in progress as a one-stop-spot to access every main genre, era, and music style that you can stream or listen to for any occasion or mood.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!!!
Sincerely,
DJ JamZ
Any Event - Any Size - Any Music Style - Any Time!!!
