Jovanii Nez, known as Jaynez (born c.1975)[1] is a Navajo American urban R&B singer[1] who and has won awards at the New Mexico Music Awards,[2][3] and the "Best Debut Artist of the Year" at the 7th Annual Native American Music Awards.[4] Jaynez has also been nominated in the 9th Annual Native American Music Awards.[4] His voice has been described as "soulful".[5]
Musical career
In addition to his solo work, he owns and operates the New Visions record label which was formerly called Dream 1 records.[6] He has also performed with the musical group Dream Team for 20 years (as of 2021); the band is also known as DT. He is one of the originators of the band.[7] Jaynez' musical work has been reviewed in the Navajo-Hopi Observer, among other publications.[8]
Jaynez was profiled in the documentary film, For the Generations: Native Story and Performance.[9]
Activism and service
The Navajo-Hopi Observer reports that he is of Navajo, Cheyenne and Pueblo heritage.[10]
In 2006, he had a meeting with the First Lady of the United States Laura Bush and the Attorney General of the United States Alberto Gonzales to discuss prevention programs for alcohol and drug addictions, and gang violence.[11] He has had first-hand experience with gangs when growing up in Fontana in the Los Angeles area.[1] After a stint in prison, he enlisted in the military.[10] While serving in the Marines, he was involved in four combat operations.[1]
Visual art
Jaynez is also a muralist, and has worked on murals throughout Los Angeles addressing such issues as gang violence and child abuse. He was approached by Snoop Dogg who asked Jaynez and his artist colleagues to paint a mural for Death Row Records, however, the following day Jaynez discovered he was to be shipped out (by the Marines) to fight in Operation Desert Storm.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e Nolan, Kate (27 June 2005). "Road to national anthem colorful for Navajo singer". Arizona Republic. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- ^ "New Mexico Music Awards". Archived from the original on 2012-09-06.
- ^ Mayfield, Dan (28 May 2006). "Awards gala honors New Mexico musicians". Albuquerque Journal. ProQuest 324374925. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Native American Music Awards".
- ^ Patterson, Jan-Mikael (27 August 2009). "Spotlight in Pinon". Navajo Times. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- ^ Patterson, Jan-Mikael (15 October 2009). "Ganado rappers shun gang style, focus on community". Navajo Times. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- ^ "Dream Team (musical group)". Heard Museum: Native American Artists Resource Collection. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ Bindel, Stan (7 October 2005). "Jaynez uses his music to help kids chase the blues away". Navajo Hopi Observer. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- ^ Peterson, Leighton C. (Spring 2012). "For the Generations: Native Story and Performance" (PDF). American Indian Quarterly. 36 (2): 247. doi:10.5250/amerindiquar.36.2.0247. JSTOR 10.5250/amerindiquar.36.2.0247. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- ^ a b Bindell, Stan (30 January 2007). "The power of meth vs. the power of music". Navajo Hopi Observer. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
- ^ Gibson, Daniel (August 2006). "Music Notes". Native Peoples Magazine. 19 (4). Retrieved 16 May 2023.