Curtis Jones

Here is a full biographical article about Curtis Jones (born April 26, 1968), better known by his stage name Green Velvet (aka Cajmere):

Curtis Jones – Life, Music Career & Memings in Electronic Music

Explore the life and career of Curtis Jones (born April 26, 1968), American DJ, singer, and producer also known as Green Velvet / Cajmere. Learn about his origins, musical milestones, philosophy, impact, and notable quotes.

Introduction

Curtis Alan Jones (born April 26, 1968) is an American electronic musician, disc jockey, singer, and record producer.

He is best known by his stage name Green Velvet, as well as other monikers Cajmere, Geo Vogt, Half Pint, Curan Stone, and Gino Vittori.

Jones has been a defining figure in the Chicago house and acid house scenes, merging dancefloor sensibilities with quirky, often theatrical vocal performances and a distinctive persona.

Early Life & Background

Curtis Jones was born in Chicago, Illinois.

Growing up, he listened to a variety of music genres—blues, jazz, funk, rock—which influenced his early musical sensibilities.

In the mid-1980s he was exposed to house music via radio and the burgeoning Chicago club/radio scene, which shaped his musical direction.

Career & Achievements

Early Career as Cajmere

Jones began releasing tracks under the name Cajmere around 1991, leaning into Chicago house traditions.

One of his signature early tracks is “Percolator” (1992) under Cajmere, which became an underground hit and remains influential as a house classic.

Under Cajmere, Jones maintained strong ties to the Chicago house sound—solid rhythms, minimal vocals, dancefloor focus.

The Green Velvet Persona & Broader Reach

As Green Velvet, Jones adopted a more theatrical, vocal, and sometimes whimsical approach. He blended house and techno, often with spoken or sung monologues, surreal imagery, and a sense of performance.

Some of his well-known Green Velvet tracks include “Flash” and “Answering Machine” (among many others).

Jones has also collaborated across generations, remixing and producing alongside more recent dance artists and working on projects that bridge classic and contemporary house music.

He also leads Cajual Records, his imprint dedicated to house releases, reissues, and promoting lesser-known artists.

Over his career, he has remained active, touring, releasing new material, and influencing younger DJs and producers.

Style, Influence & Legacy

• Genre blending / persona: Green Velvet is well known for combining house, techno, and acid elements, but always infusing personality, narrative, and character into his tracks.

• Longevity and respect: His career spans multiple decades, and he is often cited as a legend in the dance music community.

• Championing originators: In interviews, Jones speaks about highlighting those who sacrificed or labored behind the scenes in house music’s early days.

• Cultural bridge: He is a bridge between Chicago’s house roots and global electronic music trajectories, influencing both underground and mainstream scenes.

Famous / Representative Quotes

Below are several quotes attributed to Curtis Jones (Green Velvet) that reflect his attitude and approach:

“I don’t judge anybody because I’ve been the one to party and look for the after party to begin!”

“I try to give positive energy in all my shows.”

“What I’m making music for now is more similar to what I was doing in the beginning. In those days it was all about doing music so when people heard it in a club it would take their minds of their worries.”

“I got more artistic but now I’ve gone back to basics.”

These show how he sees continuity in his work, the emotional purpose of music, and his evolving relationship with artistry and performance.

Lessons from Curtis Jones’s Journey

1. Reinvent without abandoning roots
   Jones demonstrates how an artist can evolve stylistically while honoring foundational influences (Chicago house, club culture).

2. Embrace persona and narrative
   By adopting distinct stage personas like Green Velvet, he illustrates how identity and storytelling enrich electronic music (a genre sometimes criticized as impersonal).

3. Sustain over time
   Many DJs fade after a few years; Jones’s multi-decade relevance shows the value of adaptability, reinvention, and deep roots in one’s community.

4. Respect and uplift lineage
   His commitment to shining a light on early contributors underscores a sense of legacy, gratitude, and stewardship in music culture.

5. Music as emotional escape
   His commentary about making music to lift people out of worry speaks to the deeper purpose of dance music beyond beats and spectacle.