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#MusicExchange: All-4-One

19 Mar 2019

Grammy Award-winning band All-4-One along with Lady Zamar, Alistair Izobell, Emo Adams, Sasha-Lee Davids and Niesa Abrahams will perform at Carnival City in Johannesburg on 23 March 2019, before heading to Port Elizabeth on 24 March 2019 and concluding at the GrandWest Grand Arena in Cape Town on 30 March 2019.

To date, the band has sold over 20 million units worldwide, won a bevvy of awards including a Grammy, an American Music Award, a Blockbuster Award, countless international awards and completed multiple major world tours. The band is known for hits “I Swear”, “I Can Love You Like That”, “So Much in Love”, “I Turn to You”, “These Arms”, “Beautiful as You” and many more.

Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, All-4-One continues to tour the world as the original members: Delious Kennedy, Alfred Nevarez, Jamie Jones and Tony Borowiak.

I chatted to lead singer Jamie Jones prior to the band’s trip to SA last week.

When are you happiest?

When I’m with my family, on stage and in the studio with a talented artist.

What does music mean to you?

It’s everything. It’s an emotional escape; a spiritual experience.

What do you think of influencers?

It depends. My influences are Stevie Wonder, Prince and Donny Hathaway. They made me want to be great, like them. But in today’s world that has a whole new meaning. Those are just popular folks on social media and I don’t think they inspire the same feelings in people.

What drives you: ego or humility?

A little of both.

What is your most treasured possession?

My studio equipment.

It’s your round what are you drinking?

Angry Orchard Cider, Moscato or Riesling.

Dream gig to do?

Another Las Vegas Residency. The Hollywood Bowl In Los Angeles. Performing for an African King!

What makes you stand out?

My personality and I try my best to always be kind.

Nicknames?

JJ, Slurpy J!

If you were not a musician, what would you do?

I would still work in music somehow. Maybe at a record label or doing promotions or something that involved music.

Pick five words to describe yourself?

Funny, Christian, talented, loving, serious.

Favourite SA album of all time?

I really love Jonathan Butler. His album Surrender is one of my favourites.

What is your favourite word?

Dope!

Favourite fashion garment?

A size eight fitted baseball hat.

Give us some real proper slang and what it means?

“I ain’t mad at that” = I like that.
“That’s super dope” = that’s really good.
“You don’t want this smoke” = you really don’t wanna mess with me.

Top of your bucket list?

To drive a Lamborghini on the Autobahn in Germany.

What do you complain about most often?

Bad driving.

On stage, I tend to?

Forget words sometimes, sweat a lot, drink a lot of water and have a lot of fun.

The best life lesson you have been taught?

That failure is a great part of the journey. Failure is something we all experience, but if you can learn from it, then it’s a blessing and it will shape you into who God meant for you to be.

Do you do charity work and if you do –what do you do?

Yes. We work with an organisation called Donate Life. They help people who need organ donation.

Wishes and dreams?

To be a great Father, husband, son, family member and friend. To be a great man who helps others and most importantly, to be a man who always puts God first and allows others to see His light through me.