Today we’d like to introduce you to Jad Tariq
Hi Jad, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I really got started as a kid! I picked up a guitar at age 8 and haven’t looked back since. I grew up in Trumbull, Connecticut and began gigging around the tri-state area at the age of 12. I played in both original bands, and cover groups,. The town over from me had a great School Of Rock program as well, and they had us performing quite often in their house-band. It was a great experience and really got me started performing young.
I came to Memphis when I was 18 to attend Rhodes College, and graduated from there in 2019. One of my main drives for going to school in Memphis was to be a part of the rich musical heritage and culture in this city. I began gigging frequently in town around 2019, up until the pandemic brought the live music scene to a halt. I spent a lot of covid just shedding, listening and practicing to all sorts of music, and then once things opened up again, got right back at it with gigging and touring!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think making a living in the arts has ever been a smooth road for anyone! There are a lot of struggles you face, especially early on; finding gigs, finding people to work with, seeing where you really fit in on the scene. I think initially the biggest struggle was just finding enough work to pay the bills! Luckily this town does have a pretty supportive music scene, there are lots of gigs, and the musicians in town are generally very helpful and easy to work with. It doesn’t seem like many musicians here have a negative or competitive spirit.
Now as a busy working musician I still experience struggles, between touring and working frequently in town it can be easy to get fatigued or to feel overworked. I definitely know how important it is to get some rest here and there! Even though it can be difficult being in this business, I really wouldn’t trade it for anything!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Rhythm & Blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. I play a lot of 1950’s style jump blues, and swing! I love playing this type of music and truthfully there’s not a ton of people around playing it nationally, so I’m doing my best to carry on that tradition. Fortunately there are some other young musicians in town who play this genre, so I’m in good company!
I recently put out my debut record, entitled “Jad Tariq Sings.” It features a mix of original tunes and covers, and I’m backed by some incredible players here in town. We recorded it at our home studio, Lola’s Place Recording.
The record features:
Jad Tariq- Vocals, Guitar
Earl Lowe- Drums
Carl Caspersen- Upright Bass
Gerald Stephens- Piano, Organ
Art Edmaiston- Saxophone(s)
Lester Gilman- Drums, Piano
Wyly Bigger- Piano, Organ
Benton Parker- Background Vocals
Produced by Jad Tariq and Benton Parker
Engineered by Jon Hay at Lola’s Place Recording Memphis, TN
Mixed and Mastered by Dave Gross at Fat Rabbit Studios Franklin Lakes, NJ
Photography and Design by Logan Schaal
We’ve been working hard on getting a good sound in this studio, and have been cutting a few records here. We cut some of Johnny Burgin’s last record here, and have some new music from Memphis singer-songwriter Benton Parker in the works as well!
What are your plans for the future?
I’ve got quite a bit of touring on the schedule coming up, which is always exciting. I head to Europe for almost all of April, promoting my record, and backing up Tony Holiday as well. We’ll be hitting quite a few countries in Europe, and I can’t wait to play for some new audiences!
I also am working with a new group, the Memphis Rhythm Revue, featuring myself, Benton Parker on bass & vocals, and Wyly Bigger on Piano & vocals. We’re doing a lot of 1950’s vocal group music, groups like the Five Royales and The Coasters. It’s an exciting band, and we took it out on the road this past month. We have a few new live-in studio videos in the works that we can’t wait to share!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/jadtariq
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jadtariq
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jadtariqmusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jadtariqmusic
- Other: https://lnk.to/JadTariqSings
