Jay Dee

Innovative Hip-Hop Producer and Beatmaker

Jay Dee, alias Earl Nelson, alias Jackie Lee, he was a long time friend of Barry White. Born Earl Nelson and together with Bobby Relf (Bob & Earl) he gave us the “Harlem Shuffle” in 1963 (arranged by Barry White). A few years later, in 1965 turning Earl Nelson into Jackie Lee he had a huge dance novelty hit with “The Duck”, again with Barry in the background, who together with Jackie composed the other side of the single “Ooh Honey Baby”. Well, and in 1974 Jackie Lee became Jay Dee, once again ready to cut a few tunes with his friend Barry. The years 1973-75 were a mega productive period for Barry’s Music. In addition to his own sound, Love Unlimited and the Love Unlimited Orchestra, he produced a string of one-off albums for many other artists, including his arranger Gene Page, Tom Brock, Gloria Scott, White Heat, Westwing, Evan Pace and JAY DEE.