DJ Logic

While there have been many attempts to combine together jazz with hip-hop or rap, DJ Logic has been the first turntablist to be very active in jazz settings. Born Jason Kibler, he grew up in the Bronx. Attracted initially to hip-hop as a youth, leading to him taking up the turntables, DJ Logic has also long been interested in jazz and funk music, striving to keep the essence of the vintage style in his creations. Active since the 1980s, he joined the rock band Eye & I, performed with Living Colour and Body Count, and made his way into jazz by collaborating with Don Byron, Graham Haynes and Vernon Reid. In 1996 for a time he joined Medeski, Martin & Wood as an unofficial fourth member.

In addition to touring with his own group Project Logic and with the John Popper Project, DJ Logic has recorded and/or performed with such notables as Uri Caine, Christian McBride, Bob Belden, Charlie Hunter, Bobby Previte and John Mayer. He also teams up with Vernon Reid as the Yohimbe Brothers. His 1999 Ropeadope CD Project Logic started out with a unique turntable-bass-drums trio before other instruments became added to the mix. More recent recordings utilize more instruments and range from electronic sounds to a modernized version of soul-jazz, with nods towards hip-hop, rock, world music and atmospheric noise. Zen of Logic is DJ Logic’s most recent recording as a leader.