SJ (singer)
| Scott Jablonski | |
|---|---|
 SJ, folk-alternative and pop singer | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Scott Jablonski |
| Also known as | SJ |
| Born | 1977 |
| Origin |
Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
| Genres | Folk-alternative, folk pop, acoustic rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician, performing artist, attorney |
| Instruments | Vocals, acoustic guitar |
| Labels | Acoustic Soul Records |
| Website |
sjacoustic |
SJ (born Scott Jablonski in 1977) is an American singer-songwriter, performing artist, and attorney from South Florida.[1][2][3][4][5] He is best known for his acoustic music, and for being one of the few American performers to successfully transition from an international law career into the music industry.[2][6][7] SJ has released two studio albums and one live album under the independent label Acoustic Soul Records.[4][8] In 2011, the singer was nominated by Sirius XM's The Coffeehouse as "Discovery of the Year",[4][5] and in 2012, SJ's song "I Like You" appeared on US top-ten charts alongside Bruno Mars, Train, and Katy Perry.[6] His musical style and singing have been compared to the works of Jack Johnson, John Mayer, and Jason Mraz.[4][8][9][10][11]
In addition to his achievements as a musician, SJ is also an accomplished lawyer whose legal writings have appeared in the Journal of International Law and Politics, Oxford University Press, and other publications.[12] SJ holds a bachelor's degree from Gannon University, with a Juris Doctor and a Master of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.[3][13] In May 2014, SJ launched a continuous video series called "Covers And Others," where he partners with organizations representing positive social, scientific and environmental initiatives.[14][15]
Early life and education
SJ was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to a family of Polish, German and Slovenian descent.[4] He spent his childhood in Phoenix, Arizona, where he began to explore his love for music, performing songs by Willie Nelson and Jonny Cash for his family and friends.[4][7] When he was a teenager, SJ's family moved back to Parma, Ohio, where he attended Normandy High School and got his first job at age fifteen to pay for acoustic guitar lessons.[7]
After spending his first year in college at the University of Charleston, where he played for the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Team, SJ transferred to Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he also played college soccer.[4]
Music career
SJ's style mixes the genres of folk-alternative, folk pop, and acoustic rock.[2] His work has been described as "sunny, feel-good music."[4]
SJ has been professionally releasing music and touring the United States since 2009. In 2012, SJ shared stages with artists such as Jacob Jeffries Band, Pentatonix, New Riders of the Purple Sage, and Seth Glier. In 2013, SJ was selected to open for Ed Sheeran at SunFest music and arts festival in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Between 2011 and 2013, SJ's music began to get airtime on over 100 radio stations in the US, including the nationally syndicated specialty show, Acoustic Café Radio.[5][7] He also received official endorsements from Taylor Guitars, Sennheiser, Future Sonics, Gator Cases, Hercules Stands, and Elixir strings.[1][5][7][11]
In 2012, SJ's second commercial single "Let Me Be" remained on U.S. Mediabase radio charts for four months, peaking at #32 on the Mediabase A/C radio charts and at #31 on the Mediabase Hot A/C Indicator charts, just missing a Billboard position. In 2013, SJ opened for Cheap Trick's Robin Zander Band.[16]
Charted songs
| Year | Chart | Song | Peak Chart # |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | ACQB (FMQB) Radio Charts | "I Like You" | 10 |
| 2011 | Sirius XM The Coffeehouse Radio Chart | "I Like You" | 14 |
| 2012 | Mediabase AC Radio Chart | "Let Me Be" | 32 |
| 2012 | R&R/BDS AC Radio Charts | "Let Me Be" | 31 |
| 2012 | R&R/BDS Hot AC Indicator Charts | "Let Me Be" | 31 |
| 2012 | Mediabase Hot AC Radio Chart | "Let Me Be" | 95 |
| 2012 | iHeartRadio.com AC Radio Chart | "Let Me Be" | 3 |
| 2012 | Americana Radio Chart | "Let Me Be" | 186 |
| 2012 | Americana Internet Radio Chart | "Let Me Be" | 131 |
Discography
In August 2012, SJ released his first LP, Coffee: Strong Brew Edition.[1] He also released a live studio version entitled Coffee: Unfiltered Live Acoustic Album.[11] The former was recorded at Outer Reach Music Studios in Miami, mixed by Grammy-winning producer Bob Rosa, and mastered by Ryan Smith of Sterling Sound.[13][17] The latter was also mixed by Bob Rosa and mastered by Ryan Smith, and was recorded at George Noriega's Cutting Cane Studios in Davie, Florida.
Coffee—EP (2011)
SJ's Coffee was his first commercial studio-recorded EP, with songs on the album winning or earning nominations for over 10 independent music awards in the US and UK.[5] The EP features the studio-produced version of SJ's award-winning song "I Like You", which appeared on top-ten charts alongside Bruno Mars, Train, and Katy Perry.[17][18]
Coffee: Strong Brew Edition (2012)
SJ’s Coffee: Strong Brew Edition was his first full-length commercial studio recorded LP, featuring songs from Coffee and seven additional tracks. The album was produced by SJ, Oszy Carmona, and Peter Finley, with the exception of "I Like You (Radio Version)" and the Spanish-language version "Lo Mejor De Mi", which were produced by Derek Olds and SJ, and mixed and mastered by Grammy Award winning producer and engineer, Carlos Alvarez.
Coffee Unfiltered—Live Acoustic Album and DVD
Coffee Unfiltered was SJ's first live studio and videotaped album, recorded at Grammy Award winning American songwriter and record producer George Noriega's Cutting Cane Studios in Davie, Florida. It features various songs from Coffee: Strong Brew Edition, as well as other tracks. It was produced by SJ, Oszy Carmona, Peter Finley, and Grammy Award winner Bob Rosa.
I Like You–EP (demo)
SJ’s “I Like You” EP was a demo recording of SJ’s songs “I Like You” and “Breathe”, which were produced, mixed, and mastered by Derek Olds. In 2012, this version of “I Like You” became a theme track for the Talking Tomcat “Tom’s Love Letters” mobile application by Outfit7.
Awards and recognition
| Award | Year | Category/Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Songwriting Competition | 2013 | For the songs "Green as Snow," "Let Me Be," and "It's Alright" | Semi-finalist[19] |
| American Songwriter Magazine Coffee Shop Tour Competition | 2012 | Singer-Songwriter | Top 25 Finalist |
| Jango Radio Airplay Holiday Song Contest | 2012 | For the song "One Christmas Wish" | Winner |
| Unsigned Only Awards | 2012 | A/C, for the song "I Like You" | Semi-finalist |
| Unsigned Only Awards | 2012 | Folk/Singer-Songwriter, for the song "I Like You" | Finalist & Honorable Mention |
| Unsigned Only Awards | 2012 | Folk/Singer-Songwriter, for the song "Breathe" | Semi-finalist |
| Unsigned Only Awards | 2012 | AAA, for the song "I Am" | Semi-finalist |
| USA Songwriting Competition | 2012 | Pop, for the song "I Am" | Runner-up |
| International Acoustic Music Awards | 2012 | AAA, for the song "I Am" | Finalist |
| Music City Awards | 2011 | Rock, for the song "I Am" | Finalist |
| Sirius XM The Coffee House "Discovery of the Year” | 2011 | Singer-Songwriter, for the song "I Like You" | Nominated |
| UK Songwriting Competition | 2011 | Acoustic Folk, for the song "Coffee" | Semi-finalist |
| UK Songwriting Competition | 2011 | Singer-Songwriter, for the song "I Am" | Finalist |
| International Songwriting Competition | 2011 | Latin, for the song "Lo Mejor De Mi” | Winner |
| Goodnight Kiss Song Competition | 2011 | For the song "I Like You” | Sixth place |
| Festival4TheStars | 2011 | Best Singer-Songwriter Song, for the song "I Like You” | Top 3 Finalist |
| Hollywood Music & Media Awards | 2011 | Best Folk/Acoustic Song by Emerging Artist, for the song "Coffee” | Winner |
| Hollywood Music & Media Awards | 2010 | Best Folk/Acoustic Song by Emerging Artist, for the song "I Like You” | Nominee |
References
- 1 2 3 "Breakout Acoustic Artist SJ Endorsed by Major Guitar and Music Companies". Yahoo! Finance. July 26, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Attorney and Singer-Songwriter Scott R. Jablonski—a Pitt Law Alumnus—Lectures on Lawyers, Music, and Money". University of Pittsburgh School of Law. September 20, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- 1 2 "Attorney and Singer-Songwriter Scott R. Jablonski-Pitt Law Alumnus-Lextures on Lawyers, Music, and Money at noon Sept. 27". High Beam Research. September 22, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 John Taylor (February 27, 2013). "Music Review: SJ – Coffee: Strong Brew Edition". BC Bloggeries. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "SJ". American Song Space. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- 1 2 "SJ's "I Like You" Blazes into Adult Contemporary Top 10 on FMQB.com". The Noise Group. March 30, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Karen Hill. "Top quality artist endorsement for SJ, rising global star!". Just Relax Magazine. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- 1 2 "SJ". SunFest. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- ↑ "I Like You – EP". cdbaby. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- ↑ Darian Warden (March 15, 2013). "Singer/songwriter SJ to perform at CNCC first acoustic concert". Craig Daily Press. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- 1 2 3 "SJ TO TOUR MIDWEST STARTING NOV 7 + VIDEOS". Skope. October 25, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- ↑ John Ritchie (September 10, 2012). "The American Songwriter Coffeehouse Tour: 25 Finalists". American Song Writer. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- 1 2 Richie Frieman. "SJ". PensEyeView. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Acoustic Singer-Songwriter SJ Launches New "Covers & Others" Video Series". Music Industry News. May 23, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ↑ "Singer-Songwriter SJ Goes Under the Sea With Third 'Covers & Others' Video". Broadway World. January 14, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ↑ "SJ Performance". 107.3 The Eagle. September 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
- 1 2 "SJ – Coffee: Strong Brew Edition". New Releases Now. August 14, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ↑ "SJ Scores 1st Place (Latin) in the International Songwriting Competition of 2010". The Noise Group. December 19, 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Acoustic Singer/Songwriter SJ Earns Ranking in the 2013 International Songwriting Competition Semi-finals". Top40-Charts. February 26, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
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