IrieJ made his singing debut with school friends who formed a Reggae Band called “Jah Warriors”, He played joint lead singer with the band. The band performed all over Europe including Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Germany & Switzerland as well as touring England. “Jah Warriors” supported many famous acts including:-
# Curtis Mayfield
# Mary Wilson & The Supremes
# Aswad
# Yellow Man
# Barrington Levy
# King Sounds
# Lee Scratch Perry
“Jah Warriors” performed at “The Anglia For Africa Concert” along with great acts such as:-
# Hawkwind
# Magnum
# Amazulu
# Eek A Mouse
These are just a few of the acts that took part on that day which lead to “Jah Warriors” taking part on the “Lets Make Africa Green” single working with both British & Jamaican Reggae stars; including the legendary Dennis Brown.
“Jah Warriors” formed an unusual partnership with Chris Andrews whose hits included:- “I’m Her Yesterday Man” as well as songs written for the famous bare foot singer Sandi Shaw.
“Jah Warriors" produced their first single “Can’t Take No More/If Only You Knew” (Jones/Morgan) after which their partnership with Chris Andrews brought out two singles “What’s This Feeling” (Morgan) and “Apartheid” (Jones). The Albums/LP’s were titled: "Poor Man’s Story” & “No Illusions” which also featured Al Anderson of Bob Marley & The Wailers.
“Jah Warriors” disbanded in the late eighties when IrieJ was then known as Theo Jones who recorded at a local level with a local producer, Pat Alexander. This partnership brought forth his first singles as a solo artist “You Are My Angle”, “Cutie”, “Kettle Wire” & “Take What You Can Get” (Alexander).
After a quiet spell in the mid nineties Ira Jones relaunched his solo singing career as IrieJ. He discovered his soul vocal side, listening to the great Luther Vandross recording of “My Sensitivity” Since then IrieJ has combined his love of Soul Reggae together whilst performing on the holiday camp circuit and as a session vocalist for blues band “King Biskit” all over United Kingdom over Europe.
IrieJ has also played one half of the dynamic duo “IrieJ & T Bone” and for a short period of time “IrieJ & Toni Warne”.
IrieJ appreciates and loves all types of music from Country to Classical but his main influences musically are Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley and Will Downing to name a few.
IrieJ is a talented accomplished singer/writer/producer who has recorded two solo CD’s which are a combination of his own brand of soul & reggae, “Focus” & “Level Vibes”.
IrieJ has had the pleasure of working alongside supporting famous artists such as
# Alexander O’Neal
# Gwen Dicky (Rose Royce)
# Imagination
# Suzie Quattro
# The Commitments
# Gregory Isaacs
IrieJ continues to perform across Britain and Europe and is currently working on projects with fellow artists “Digital & YT Dan”.
