ithout Jerry Walker (aka
J-Dub) and his yearning
for culture, systems,
family and the community, today’s Chicago and global House music scene would be denied a devoted proponent of this revolutionary movement in sound.
Born at the perfect moment to experience the genesis of house music, Jerry came of age on the Southside in the 80s where his neighbor Danny turned him on to his first experience with Technics 1200 turntables. There, he learned and created with disco, house and new wave, mixing wax across genres seeking common threads inherent in the music. This was a critical and formative time when he was also drawn to promotions and produced some early Southside events that included the likes of Farley Jackmaster Funk. Jerry was just sixteen years old.
In the early 90’s after college at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne, J-Dub reconnected with the house scene which then included second wave DJ/producers like Derrick Carter, Mark Farina, Diz, Spencer Kincy and Chris Nazuka. Steeped in the DIY culture of the day, Jerry joined and still holds an impressive role in the current scene identifying as artist, DJ, promoter and activist. His vision includes building an expanding, open minded community which is based on a complex and artist driven history. At the root of it all is not only the tradition of DJ mixing but the power of juxtaposition and collage flowing seamlessly to elicit a deeper awareness and consciousness as the ultimate state of mind. The dance floor as connective tissue.
As a DJ myself, Jerry and I have crossed paths unwittingly over the years as he represented an art and music scene that I never understood how to penetrate until we met. With our shared history and industry backgrounds, we decided to tell a story about the history of Chicago house music that is uniquely and collaboratively ours. Fast friends with two perspectives. These photographs sum up an acquaintance fast becoming a friendship, illuminating faces that honor open eyes, strength and curiosity. Jerry loves Michele Gustin clay sculptures, so we had a great time posing with her pieces. Enjoy!
W