Gilles Peterson, Masters At Work, Louie Vega, Kenny Dope, Joey Negro, Larry Heard, Theo Parrish, King Britt, Jazzy Jeff, DJ Mitsu, Nicola Conte, Nick Holder, Meshell Ndgeocello, The Sound of Philadelphia, Gamble & Huff, Hall & Oates, Jill Scott, Benji B, Danny Krivit, Blaze, Prince, Paul Weller, The Jam, The Clash, The Smiths, The Roots, Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, 9th Wonder, Little Brother, Madlib, J-Live, J-Dilla, Pete Rock, Platinum Pied Pipers, FourTet, RJD2, Grace Jones, Bryan Ferry, Nile Rodgers, War, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Sergio Mendes, Quincy Jones, Hugh Masekela, Osibisa, Astrud Gilberto, Stan Getz, John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Miles Davis, Gil Scott-Heron, Jose Feliciano, Cassandra Wilson, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Phoebe Snow, Minnie Riperton, Jean Carne, Alana Davis, Traditional jazz, Acid Jazz, Nu Jazz, more.
Sounds Like
Gilles Peterson-meets-Masters At Work-meets-Joey Negro-meets- King Britt-meets-A Tribe Called Quest
Dex has spent more than 12 years on the San Diego music scene--most notably, with a three-year stint headlining the Thursday night "MixLab" sessions at the now-legendary Candelas Lounge. Besides that, he's moved crowds at The Pearl Hotel, 30-TWO Bar & Lounge, Hotel Solamar, Visions, Red C and several other nightlife destinations. Away from the decks, he remains dedicated to the groove, as a Society of Professional Journalists-award nominated music writer for The San Diego Union-Tribune, and contributor to hip, music publications Magnet, Flavorpill, BPM Culture, and Remix.
Certainly, a few slashes are required to distinguish his many pursuits -- DJ/journalist/music consultant, et al -- but mostly, Dex strives to be a versatile DJ and selector. He's passionate about delivering a true lounge aesthetic via a sonic collage of rare, unreleased, and unexpected music, spanning global and soulful spectrums of style.
Dex is closely identified through Groove 24/7 (www.groove247.com), a growing Internet music concept, that’s also launched a weekly brunch party at The Pearl Hotel, San Diego. Early 2009 will find Dex launching www.joyofdex.com, a music and lifestyle site. Collectively, these assorted endeavors are the umbrella and the straw that stirs the drink for Dex’s eclectic path. They are the foundation for his increasing visibility, which aided by his recording deal with respected indie, FUA Records, is primed for continued expansion.
Groove 24/7 and Joy of Dex, in their varied incarnations, set a course for an intelligent, sophisticated, and ultimately, sensual approach to music and its associated lifestyle trappings. While Dex typically eschews categorization, he effectively tagged his own sound and sensibilities by titling one of his popular DJ mixes "Serious Urban Splendor." This makes sense, since Dex was born and raised in Philadelphia where music -- all kinds of sweet, soulful music -- is felt truly, madly and deeply. His mother loved Motown and The Sound of Philadelphia; his father favored Hendrix and Steely Dan; his grandfather collected Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Hugh Masekela, and Sergio Mendes; and his next-door neighbors, the Perez Family, kept Tito Puente and Celia Cruz at peak volume on Saturday nights.
Beyond his Philly days, Dex attended and graduated from The American University in the international whirlwind of Washington, D.C. Needless to say, both cities combined with his personal travels to ignite his never-ending knack for musical and cultural absorption. Somehow Dex creates mental legroom and connects the dots from varied influences to forge a distinctive whole, and since his music appreciation was boundless from the beginning, it's no wonder he can seamlessly rock a room with disco, house, or hip hop stylings, or a permeate a chill lounge with sexy downtempo soundscapes.
Dex is a DJ and selector to watch. As urban tastemakers go, he's inextricably aligned with all things calm, cool and connected, while also respecting the past, appreciating the present, and imagining the future of music.
Thanks for the invite on Saturday night. It was great to see you and I think we're on to something with the sushi displayed on spinnin' vinyl!!! It was the perfect spot for everyone to meet up and start the evening.
Great to see you at Candi's too later. It was a fun night all around.
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