DJ Pari, born Markus Schmidt, is a German-American DJ, producer and journalist. He is mostly known for his collaborations with

Soul In many religious and philosophical traditions, there is a belief that a soul is "the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being". Etymology The Modern English noun ''soul'' is derived from Old English ''sāwol, sāwel''. The earliest attes ...

legends like

Marva Whitney Marva Whitney (born Marva Ann Manning; May 1, 1944 – December 22, 2012) was an American funk singer commonly referred to by her honorary title, Soul Sister #1. Whitney was considered by many funk enthusiasts to be one of the "rawest" and "brass ...

Gwen McCrae Gwen McCrae ( Mosley, December 21, 1943) is an American singer, best known for her 1975 hit record, hit "Rockin' Chair (Gwen McCrae song), Rockin' Chair". Life and career 1960s–1970s Gwen was the youngest of five children, She began performi ...

Lyn Collins Gloria Lavern Collins (June 12, 1948 – March 13, 2005), better known as Lyn Collins, was an American soul singer best known for working with James Brown in the 1970s and for the influential 1972 funk single, "Think (About It)". A favorite a ...

The Impressions The Impressions were an American music group originally formed in 1958. Their repertoire includes gospel, doo-wop, R&B, and soul. The group was founded as the Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks and Arthur Bro ...

and

James Brown James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, dancer, musician, record producer and bandleader. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th century music, he is often referred to by the honor ...

amongst others.

Life

DJ Pari is the son of former professional

footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, Canadian football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby le ...

Walter Schmidt. Born in

Braunschweig Braunschweig () or Brunswick ( , from Low German ''Brunswiek'' , Braunschweig dialect: ''Bronswiek'') is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, north of the Harz Mountains at the farthest navigable point of the river Oker, which connects it to the Nor ...

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

, he began DJing at age 15. In 1994, he moved to the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

, first to

Phoenix Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore * Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States Phoenix may also refer to: Mythology Greek mythological figures * Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...

Arizona Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...

, where he spent two years running a club night called ''The Hip Joint''. In 1995 he re-located to

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...

, where he played the club circuit and worked with acts like the Solsonics,

Mandrill (band) Mandrill is an American funk band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 1968 by brothers Carlos, Lou, and Ric Wilson. AllMusic called them "One of funk's most progressive outfits... ith anexpansive, eclectic vision." History The Wilson brothers we ...

The Black Eyed Peas Black Eyed Peas (also known as The Black Eyed Peas) is an American musical group consisting of rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo. The group's line-up during the height of their popularity in the 2000s featured Fergie, who replaced Kim Hil ...

, Big Black,

Roy Porter (drummer) Roy Lee Porter (July 30, 1923 – January 24, 1998) was an American jazz drummer. Early life Born in Walsenburg, Colorado, Porter moved to Colorado Springs when he was eight and began playing drums in rhythm and blues bands while a teenager. ...

and many others. Around the same time he began opening shows for the Godfather of Soul

and even toured with him for quite some time. In 1998, DJ Pari moved back to Germany and launched his Soulpower organization at the ''Palo Palo'' club in

Hannover Hanover (; german: Hannover ; nds, Hannober) is the capital and largest city of the German States of Germany, state of Lower Saxony. Its 535,932 (2021) inhabitants make it the List of cities in Germany by population, 13th-largest city in Germa ...

. Originally just a monthly

soul In many religious and philosophical traditions, there is a belief that a soul is "the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being". Etymology The Modern English noun ''soul'' is derived from Old English ''sāwol, sāwel''. The earliest attes ...

party, Soulpower quickly evolved into a global project and booking agency, producing more than 400 shows and parties in more than 20 countries and 50 cities on four continents. Some of the artists DJ Pari has worked with under the Soulpower banner are

Bobby Byrd Bobby Howard Byrd (August 15, 1934 – September 12, 2007) was an American rhythm and blues, soul and funk singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, bandleader and talent scout, who played an integral and important part in the development ...

Maceo Parker Maceo Parker (; born February 14, 1943) is an American funk and soul jazz saxophonist, best known for his work with James Brown in the 1960s, Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s and Prince in the 2000s. Parker was a prominent soloist on many of B ...

Fred Wesley Fred Wesley (born July 4, 1943) is an American trombonist who worked with James Brown in the 1960s and 1970s and Parliament-Funkadelic in the second half of the 1970s. Biography Wesley was born the son of a high school teacher and big band lead ...

Vicki Anderson Vicki Anderson (born Myra Barnes; November 21, 1939) is an American soul singer best known for her performances with the James Brown Revue. She recorded a number of singles under both her birth and stage names. She is the widow of Bobby Byrd a ...

Pee Wee Ellis Alfred James Ellis (April 21, 1941 – September 23, 2021), known as Pee Wee Ellis due to his diminutive stature, was an American saxophonist, composer, and arranger. With a background in jazz, he was a member of James Brown's band in the 196 ...

Roy Ayers Roy Ayers (born September 10, 1940) is an American funk, soul, and jazz composer, vibraphone player, and music producer. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure at Pol ...

Bootsy Collins William Earl "Bootsy" Collins (born October 26, 1951) is an American bass guitarist and singer. Rising to prominence with James Brown in the early 1970s, and later with Parliament-Funkadelic, Collins established himself as one of the leading n ...

Clyde Stubblefield Clyde Austin Stubblefield (April 18, 1943 – February 18, 2017) was an American drummer best known for his work with James Brown. A self-taught musician, he was influenced by the sound of natural rhythms around him. His drum patterns on Brown's ...

John "Jabo" Starks John Henry "Jabo" Starks (; October 26, 1937Sources vary as to his year of birth. According to his obituary, published by Mobile Register, Starks was born on October 26, 1937; The New York Times gives 1938 – May 1, 2018), sometimes spelled Jab' ...

Sharon Jones Sharon Lafaye Jones (May 4, 1956 – November 18, 2016) was an American soul and funk singer. She was the lead singer of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, a soul and funk band based in Brooklyn, New York. Jones experienced breakthrough succe ...

Sweet Charles Sherrell "Sweet" Charles Sherrell (born Charles Emanuel Sherrell, March 8, 1943) is an American bassist known for recording and performing with James Brown. Biography Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Sherrell began his career playing drums with fellow Na ...

Karl Denson Karl Denson (born December 27, 1956) is an American funk and jazz saxophonist, flutist and vocalist from Santa Ana, California. He was a member of Lenny Kravitz's band and has co-founded and led The Greyboy Allstars. Denson has recorded with ...

, and

RAMP An inclined plane, also known as a ramp, is a flat supporting surface tilted at an angle from the vertical direction, with one end higher than the other, used as an aid for raising or lowering a load. The inclined plane is one of the six clas ...

. DJ Pari's musical productions include ''I am what I am'', the 2006 album by

, and her singles "I am what I am" and "Soulsisters (of the world unite)" as well as ''Mama Feelgood'' by

and ''Live in Paris'' by

. Pari has also worked with Japanese Funk outfit

Osaka Monaurail is a Japanese funk band, formed in Osaka, Japan. It has been active since 1992.Leggert, Steve.Osaka Monaurail: biography, Allmusic. Retrieved 15 March 2013. The band is now based in Tokyo, Japan. Band members ;Current * Ryo Nakata, vocal & keyb ...

, co-writing for and co-producing several of the group's albums. Since his move to

Richmond, Virginia (Thus do we reach the stars) , image_map = , mapsize = 250 px , map_caption = Location within Virginia , pushpin_map = Virginia#USA , pushpin_label = Richmond , pushpin_m ...

in 2007, DJ Pari has collaborated with funk pioneer

Sir Joe Quarterman Joe Quarterman (or Sir Joe Quarterman And Free Soul), also known as Sir Joe Quarterman and sometimes misspelled as Joe Quatermain is an American funk and soul singer. Quarterman earned the title "Sir" in high school. His single, "(I Got) So Much Tr ...

and Chicago soul legend

Leroy Hutson Leroy Hutson (born June 4, 1945) is an American soul and R&B singer, songwriter, arranger, producer and instrumentalist, best known as former lead singer of R&B vocal group The Impressions. His music concerns '70s soul, as noted in the June 29 ...

, managing the singer's 2010 European tour. That same year, he assumed management duties for

Curtis Mayfield Curtis Lee Mayfield (June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, and one of the most influential musicians behind soul and politically conscious African-American music.

fame, producing several tours in the United States, Europe and Japan for the group. In July 2012, he DJed with the Impressions at the Curtis Mayfield 70th Birthday Tribute at

Lincoln Center Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (also simply known as Lincoln Center) is a complex of buildings in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It has thirty indoor and outdoor facilities and is host to 5 millio ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

, a show that also featured

Mavis Staples Mavis Staples (born July 10, 1939) is an American rhythm and blues and gospel singer, actress, and civil rights activist. She rose to fame as a member of her family's band The Staple Singers (she is the last surviving member of that band). Durin ...

, William Bell,

the Roots The Roots are an American hip hop band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The Roots serve as the house band on NBC's ''The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy F ...

and other soul legends. DJ Pari also introduced the Impressions to Binky Griptite, guitarist and MC of

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings were an American funk and soul band signed to Daptone Records. They were part of a revival movement of mid-1960s to mid-1970s style funk and soul music. They released their debut album ''Dap Dippin in 2002, the fir ...

, a relationship that produced the group's first single in more than 30 years. In 2016, he arranged a meeting of the Impressions with

President Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II ( ; born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, Obama was the first Af ...

at the

White House The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., and has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800. ...

. In Richmond, DJ Pari was the co-host of the Soulpower party series and of the weekly radio show ''Midnight Soulstice'' on

WRIR-LP WRIR-LP 97.3 FM is an independent, all volunteer, nonprofit community Public broadcasting, public radio station licensed to Richmond, Virginia, serving Metro Richmond. It is the largest low power FM station of its kind in the United States. WRIR-LP ...

. In 2013, the film documentary ''Power of Soul,'' produced by DJ Pari, screened at the

Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Festival (; french: link=no, Festival de Cannes), until 2003 called the International Film Festival (') and known in English as the Cannes Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films o ...

and at several festivals and theaters in Germany. The documentary features original footage and Pari's interviews with artists like

The Pharcyde The Pharcyde (currently known as The Far Side) is an American alternative hip hop group, formed in 1989, from South Central Los Angeles. The original four members of the group are Imani (Emandu Wilcox), Slimkid3 (Trevant Hardson), Bootie Brown ...

Kurtis Blow Kurtis Walker (born August 9, 1959), professionally known by his stage name Kurtis Blow, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record/film producer, b-boy, DJ, public speaker and minister. He is the first commercially successful rapper a ...

George McCrae George Warren McCrae Jr. (born October 19, 1944) is an American soul music, soul and disco singing, singer who is most famous for his 1974 hit "Rock Your Baby". Biography and career McCrae was the second of nine children, born in West Palm Bea ...

and many others. In 2017, Marva Whitney's "I am what I am," co-written and produced by DJ Pari, was licensed by

Ford Ford commonly refers to: * Ford Motor Company, an automobile manufacturer founded by Henry Ford * Ford (crossing), a shallow crossing on a river Ford may also refer to: Ford Motor Company * Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company * Ford F ...

for the TV commercial promoting the 2017

Ford Explorer The Ford Explorer is a range of SUVs manufactured by Ford Motor Company since the 1991 model year. The first four-door SUV produced by Ford, the Explorer was introduced as a replacement for the two-door Bronco II. Within the current Ford light ...

titled "For Those With Their Own Path." That same year, DJ Pari co-produced the album ''Tribute to my Soul Sisters'' by former James Brown backing vocalist

Martha High Martha High (born Martha Harvin in 1945, Victoria, Virginia) is an American female vocalist. Harvin grew up in Washington, D.C., attending Roosevelt High School and singing in Trinity AME Zion Church. She began singing in The Four Jewels (whose ...

with Osaka Monaurail. DJ Pari is currently working as a music journalist, under his real name, and editor in Richmond.

Discography (as producer or co-producer)

Albums

* Soulpower - ''The Best of Year One'' (Soulpower Records, 2005) * Gwen McCrae - ''Live in Paris'' (Hi&Fly, 2005) * Lyn Collins - ''Mama Feelgood'' (Hi&Fly, 2006) * Marva Whitney - ''I am what I am'' (Shout!, 2006) * Marva Whitney - ''Marva Whitney with her own Osaka Monaurail - Live in Japan'' (Shout!, 2006) * Undercover Express - ''Introducing Undercover Express'' (P-Vine, 2007) * Osaka Monaurail - ''Amen, Brother!'' (Unique, 2007) * Osaka Monaurail - ''Live in Spain'' (Shout!, 2009) * Osaka Monaurail - ''State Of The World'' (Unique, 2011) * DJ Pari - ''What It Is?'' (Soulpower, 2012) * Osaka Monaurail - ''Osaka Monaurail Performs Riptide and Other Readings from the Book of Funk'' (Unique, 2014) * Martha High - ''Tribute to My Soul Sisters'' (Recordkicks, 2018)

Singles

* Marva Whitney - ''I am what I am P. 1 / I am what I am P. 2'' (Shout!, 2006) * Marva Whitney - ''Soulsisters (Of the World Unite / It's her Thing'' (Shout!, 2006) * Marva Whitney - ''I am what I am / Give it Up Turnit A Loose'' (12") (Freestyle, 2007) * Osaka Monaurail - ''Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours / Supershine #9'' (Our Label Records, 2008) * Osaka Monaurail - ''Hung Up (vocal) / Hung Up (instr.)'' (Unique, 2009) * Osaka Monaurail - ''Tighten Up / Soulful Strut'' (Unique, 2009) * Osaka Monaurail - ''No Trouble on the Mountain (feat. Shirley Davis / The Archipelago'' (Unique, 2011) * Martha High - ''A Little Taste of Soul / Unwind Yourself'' (Record Kicks, 2018)

Filmography

* ''Power of Soul'' (Marctropolis, 2013)

References

External links

Jazz Collectors of Instagram: DJ PariOur Label Records interview with DJ PariArticle in RVA Magazine about DJ PariBig Up - 10 Questions with Dj Pari on Fleamarket Funk blogDJ Pari Funk mix on German Testspiel blogArticle in ''Sueddeutsche Zeitung''Richmond news coverageNeue Presse Interview with DJ PariSoul Power at Weezie'sReview of "The Power of Soul" documentary
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pari, Dj Living people 1975 births Musicians from Braunschweig American DJs German DJs Electronic dance music DJs