Chris Jasper facts for kids

Christopher Howard Jasper (born December 30, 1951 – died February 23, 2025) was an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He was a key member of two famous music groups: The Isley Brothers and Isley-Jasper-Isley. Chris Jasper was known for his amazing keyboard and Moog synthesizer playing. These sounds became a big part of The Isley Brothers' music in the 1970s and 1980s.

Jasper also had a very successful solo career. He released over 17 of his own albums. He wrote, produced, and performed all the songs on these albums himself. He also ran his own record label, Gold City Records, where he helped other artists make music.

Chris Jasper's Early Life and Music Journey

Chris Jasper was born on December 30, 1951. He started learning classical music when he was just seven years old. His mother, Elizabeth, encouraged him to study music. After high school in Cincinnati, he moved to New York City. There, he studied music composition at the famous Juilliard School. He also studied at Long Island University with jazz pianist Billy Taylor. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in music.

The Jasper and Isley families lived in the same apartment building in Cincinnati. Chris's older sister, Elaine, married Rudolph Isley. The older Isley brothers (Rudolph, Ronald, and O'Kelly) had a vocal group. They later moved to Teaneck, New Jersey.

Forming "The Jazzman Trio"

While living in New Jersey as a teenager, Chris Jasper formed a band. He teamed up with the two younger Isley brothers, Marvin and Ernie. Their band was called "The Jazzman Trio." Chris played keyboards, Ernie played drums, and Marvin played bass. They played many local shows in New Jersey.

Chris, Marvin, and Ernie also went to college together. While still in college, they toured with the older Isley Brothers. They also played on some of their early recordings. For example, Ernie played bass on the hit song "It's Your Thing." Chris Jasper wrote his first song for The Isley Brothers in 1972. It was called "Love Put Me on a Corner."

Joining The Isley Brothers

In 1973, Chris, Marvin, and Ernie officially joined The Isley Brothers. This made the group a six-member band. They started writing and producing their own music. Their first album as a six-member group was 3+3.

Chris Jasper helped write, produce, and arrange many songs for The Isley Brothers. He worked with them from 1973 to 1983. Their last album as a six-member group was Between The Sheets.

Isley-Jasper-Isley: A New Chapter

In 1984, the six-member Isley Brothers group split up. Chris Jasper, Marvin Isley, and Ernie Isley decided to form a new trio. They called themselves "Isley-Jasper-Isley." They continued to write and produce their own music.

The trio released three albums. Chris Jasper sang lead on their biggest hit song, "Caravan of Love." This song became a huge international hit. Another group, The Housemartins, later covered it.

In 1987, Isley-Jasper-Isley decided to go their separate ways.

Chris Jasper's Solo Career

After Isley-Jasper-Isley, Chris Jasper started his solo music career. He released two albums on his own record label, Gold City Records. One of his songs, "Superbad," became a number one R&B hit in 1988. This song taught listeners about the importance of education. Chris often wrote songs with positive messages.

He wrote, produced, and performed on a song called "Make It Last" for singer Chaka Khan in 1989. In total, Chris Jasper released 16 solo albums. Four of these were gospel albums.

Later Solo Albums

Chris Jasper continued to release new music for many years.

• In 2013, he released Inspired: By Love, By Life, By The Spirit. This album had love songs and songs about social issues.
• In 2014, he released The One. This album reminded fans of the soulful R&B and funk music he made with The Isley Brothers.
• In 2016, he released Share With Me. It included a cover of "You Are So Beautiful" and a song called "America."
• In 2018, he released the album Dance With You.
• In 2019, he released a "covers" album called "For The Love Of You." It featured his versions of songs he helped create with The Isley Brothers. It also included classic R&B and pop songs.

Chris Jasper kept writing, recording, and performing all the music on his solo albums. He also produced music for other artists on his Gold City label. In 2015, he released Essential Chris Jasper. This album featured all the songs where he sang lead for Isley-Jasper-Isley and during his solo career.

Awards and Recognition

Music that Chris Jasper worked on with The Isley Brothers has been used by many famous artists. These include Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, Tupac Shakur, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg. Chris Jasper received many gold and platinum albums. These awards mean his music sold millions of copies.

Here are some of his major awards:

• In 1992, Chris Jasper, as a member of The Isley Brothers, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This is a huge honor for musicians.
• In 2014, The Isley Brothers, including Chris Jasper, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. This award celebrates their long and important career.
• In 2015, Chris Jasper received the German Record Critics Lifetime Achievement Award.
• In 2016, he received the National R&B Society Lifetime Achievement Award.
• In 2020, he received the Soultracks Lifetime Achievement Award.
• In 2022, Chris Jasper was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. This recognized his amazing songwriting skills.

Personal Life

Chris Jasper lived in New York with his wife, Margie Jasper. She is a lawyer and author. Chris Jasper passed away on February 23, 2025, at the age of 73.

Discography

Isley Brothers years

• 3+3 (CBS) 1973
• Live It Up (CBS) 1974
• The Heat Is On (CBS) 1975
• Harvest for the World (CBS) 1976
• Go for Your Guns (CBS) 1977
• Showdown (CBS) 1978
• Winner Takes All (CBS) 1979
• Go All the Way (CBS) 1980
• Grand Slam (CBS) 1981
• Inside You (CBS) 1981
• The Real Deal (CBS) 1982
• Between the Sheets (CBS) 1983

Isley-Jasper-Isley years

• Broadway's Closer to Sunset Blvd (CBS) 1984
• Caravan of Love (CBS) 1985
• Different Drummer (CBS) 1986

Solo career

• Superbad (Gold City/CBS Associated) 1988
• Time Bomb (Gold City/CBS Associated) 1989
• Praise the Eternal (Gold City) 1992
• Deep Inside (Gold City) 1994
• Faithful & True (Gold City) 2002
• Best of Chris Jasper...With Love (Gold City) 2003
• Amazing Love (Gold City) 2005
• Invincible (Gold City) 2007
• Everything I Do (Gold City) 2010
• Inspired...By Love, By Life, By The Spirit (Gold City) 2013
• The One (Gold City) (2014)
• Thank You Jesus (Gold City) (2015)
• The Essential Chris Jasper (Sony Legacy) (2015)
• Share With Me (Gold City) (2016)
• Happy Birthday Love (Gold City) (2017)
• I Love You (Boogie Back Remix-UK) (Gold City) (2017)
• That's What Love Can Do (Boogie Back Remix-UK) (Gold City) (2017)
• Dance with You (Gold City) (2018)
• For The Love Of You (Gold City) (2020)
• Raise The Bar (Gold City) (2022)
• It Started With a Kiss (Gold City) (2023)