Jade (American group)

Jade
Origin Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres New jack swing, soul, hip hop soul
Years active 1991–1997, 2014-present
Labels Giant/Reprise/Warner Bros. Records
Members Joi Marshall
Tonya Kelly
Myracle Holloway
Past members Di Reed

Jade is an American hip hop soul group active during the early to mid-1990s. The group consisted of Tonya Kelly, Joi Marshall, and Di Reed. During their brief yet successful career, Jade released two studio albums, one live album, and a string of popular R&B singles.


History

Original Lineup From left to right: Tonya Kelly, Di Reed, & Joi Marshall

The group Jade was originally composed of Joi Marshall and two other members named Angie and Debbie and, as such, was first known as JAD. However, when Angie and Debbie were dropped from the group, Tonya Kelly and Di Reed were signed on by producer Vassal Benford, and the group's name was extended to Jade.[1] Tonya grew up in Chicago listening to jazz vocalists such as Sarah Vaughan and Nat King Cole. Joi was also from the Windy City but was raised on Motown, especially Diana Ross. Di grew up in Houston singing gospel anywhere she could.[2]

Jade's first success was on the Class Act soundtrack in 1992. Their hit single "I Wanna Love You" was one of the breakout songs on the soundtrack, cracking the Top 10 of the R&B charts and reaching #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their follow-up single "Don't Walk Away," was their biggest hit and climbed to #2 on the R&B chart and was certified gold by the RIAA in 1993. The single went on to sell 1.5 million copies worldwide. Subsequent singles "Looking for Mr. Do Right" and "One Woman" helped push their debut album Jade to the Max to platinum status, sparking a lengthy tour and spots on The Tonight Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, and the U.K.'s Top of the Pops.

Jade also performed on BET's Listening Party Live. The session was recorded and released as a CD in 1993. Jade was the only group to have a BET Listening Party album released.

In 1994 the band appeared in the movie The Inkwell, and released their second studio album Mind, Body & Song, on which they served as co-writers and co-producers. Singles "5-4-3-2 (Yo! Time Is Up)" and "Every Day of the Week" propelled the album to gold status.

Jade also appeared on Beverly Hills, 90210 in the episode, "You've Got To Have Heart," which aired on February 8, 1995. During their appearance, they performed "Every Day of the Week". Thereafter, Tonya Kelly left the group, then briefly reunited with Joi Marshall in 1997 to contribute the track "Keep on Risin" to the soundtrack for the film The Sixth Man.

The song "5-4-3-2 (Yo! Time Is Up)" was used as part of the soundtrack for the New York Undercover episode "Eyewitness Blues."

Di Reed is currently touring the world as a featured vocalist for Rod Stewart and continues her professional singing career by lending her vocal talents to support numerous high-profile music projects and industry heavyweights including Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Christina Aguilera, Elton John, Gwen Stefani, and many others.

Tonya Kelly and Joi Marshall have reunited with new member Myracle Holloway released a song on Valentine's Day called "Baby Luv," which is now available on iTunes.

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
US
[3]
US R&B
[3]
GER
[4]
NLD
[5]
UK
[6]
1992 Jade to the Max
  • Released: November 17, 1992
  • Label: Giant
56 19 82 48 43
  • US: Platinum [7]
1994 Mind, Body & Song
  • Released: September 27, 1994
  • Label: Giant
80 16
TBA CONTINUUM
  • Released: TBA
  • Label:
  • US:
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

Year Album details Peak position
US
R&B

[3]
1993 BET's Listening Party
  • Released: August 31, 1993
  • Label: Giant
67

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US
[3]
US R&B
[3]
AUT
[8]
CAN
[9]
GER
[4]
NLD
[5]
NZ
[10]
SWE
[11]
UK
[6]
1992 "I Wanna Love You" 16 7 69 24 13 Jade to the Max
"Don't Walk Away" 4 2 25 65 26 9 28 23 7
1993 "One Woman" 22 16 22
"Looking for Mr. Do Right" 69 16
1994 "5-4-3-2 (Yo! Time Is Up)" 72 13 Mind, Body & Song
"Every Day of the Week" 20 15 85 79 19
1997 "Keep on Risin'" (featuring Lil' Rachett & Vaz) 50 The 6th Man
2014 "Baby Luv" CONTINUUM
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Featured singles

Year Title Artist Peak chart positions Album
US US
R&B
UK
1993 "All Thru the Nite" P.O.V. 120 31 32 Handin' Out Beatdowns
1995 "Freedom (Theme from Panther)" Various Artists 45 18 Panther
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

Year Award
1995 MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best R&B Video, "5-4-3-2 (Yo! Time Is Up)"

References

External links

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