Jeff Redd facts for kids

Jeff Redd is an American singer and music producer. He became famous in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He sang R&B music, especially a style called new jack swing.

Jeff Redd's Music Journey

Jeff Redd grew up in New York. When he was 17, in the mid-1980s, he started singing in a group called The Sophisticated Gents. It didn't last long. Later, Jeff even appeared on Sesame Street to sing a song about the word "between"!

A music executive named André Harrell saw Jeff perform as a solo artist. He signed Jeff to Uptown Records/MCA Records. In 1990, Jeff released his first album, A Quiet Storm. This album featured popular new jack swing songs like "I Found Lovin'" and "Come and Get Your Lovin'." It also had a slower song called "Love High." Two songs from the album became hits on the Billboard R&B chart: "What Goes Around Comes Around" and "Love High."

Famous producers helped create A Quiet Storm. These included Devante Swing from the group Jodeci, Timmy Allen, and The Untouchables (Dave "Jam" Hall and Eddie F.).

In 1991, Jeff released a song called "You Called and Told Me." This song was part of the Strictly Business movie soundtrack.

Helping Mary J. Blige Start Her Career

Jeff Redd played a big part in helping the famous singer Mary J. Blige begin her music career. Jeff was working at a General Motors factory. There, he met Mary J. Blige's stepfather. Her stepfather gave Jeff a tape of Mary singing a song by Anita Baker.

After hearing her amazing voice, Jeff helped Mary get signed to Uptown Records. This was a huge step for her! Mary J. Blige then toured with Jeff Redd, singing as one of his backup singers.

Later Albums and Music Work

In 1994, Jeff recorded his second album, Down Low. But something unexpected happened. The record company, EMI America, closed its entire department for black music. Because of this, very few copies of Down Low were ever released. Some parts of the album were produced by the rapper Lord Finesse. Luckily, in 2024, Down Low was finally released to online music platforms by Capitol Records.

After his singing career, Jeff Redd became an A&R executive at MCA Records. An A&R executive helps find new artists and works with them to create music. While at MCA, Jeff worked with artists like Regina Belle and K-Ci & JoJo.

When MCA Records closed in 2003, Jeff started his own independent record label called Sol Real Records. Through his label, he works with new artists like Akili, Blaq Rose, and Forever. In 2007, Jeff released a collection of songs called Jeff Redd Presents: The Essence of Soul. It featured music from his artists. In 2010, Jeff Redd released a new song called "Take You Higher."

Jeff Redd's Music Releases

Studio Albums

Singles