Jade (U.S. band)

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For the British folk-rock group of the same name, see Jade (UK band)

Jade
Jade to the Max - 1992 Album cover
Background information
Origin	Chicago, Illinois, USA
Genre(s)	R&B, pop
Years active	1992–1995
Label(s)	Giant
Former members
Tonya Kelly Joi Marshall Di Reed

Jade was a R&B group active during the early to mid-1990s. The group consisted of Tonya Kelly, Joi Marshall, and Di Reed. During their brief yet successful career, Jade released two full albums, one exclusive live album, and had a string of popular R&B singles.

1 Biography
2 Post-Music Careers
3 Discography
- 3.1 Albums
- 3.2 Singles
4 Awards & nominations
5 Links

[edit] Biography

Jade is often categorized as a "manufactured" R&B group - a common industry trend during the early 90's. The girls showed no individual personalities like the R&B girl trio TLC, nor did they stand out as an exceptionaly talented group of singers such as Boyz II Men or En Vogue. Instead, their record label, Giant, placed them together because they had good looks, nice voices, and sex appeal All three were given a very 90's-modern urban look, complete with flashy neon colors, exposed mid-riffs, and (on occasion)long, thick braided extensions. Vocally, their harmonies meshed together very well with the new jack swing/uptempo R&B tracks and sultry slow jams they would sing on over the next few years.

Jade's first success was on the Class Act soundtrack in 1992. Their hit single, "I Wanna Love You" was one of the breakout songs on that soundtrack. It led the way for their best known single, the smash hit, "Don't Walk Away." The single climbed all the way to #2 on the Pop charts and was certified gold by the RIAA in 1993,worldwide combined the single sold 1.5 million copies. This song, as well as other hit singles such as the aforementioned "I Wanna Love You,", "Looking for Mr. Do Right", and "One Woman," helped to push their debut album, Jade to the Max, to platinum-selling status. The group became very popular over the next year. They were given a session on BET's Listening Party Live (BET's attempt at the live small-concert sessions MTV made so popular with their MTV Unplugged series). This session was made into a CD by the end of 1993, but sales were mediocore; Jade was the first (and last) group to have a Listening Party album released.

In 1994 the band appeared in the movie The Inkwell. This was also the same year Jade would release their second full album, Mind, Body, and Song. The first single, "5-4-3-2 (Yo! Time Is Up)" saw little commercial success (though it did crack the top 20 on the R&B charts). Jade's second single, "Every Day Of The Week." was a hit single, peaking at #20 on Billboard's Top 100 and thus helping to propel Jade's second album to certified Gold status. Unfortunately, the group would disband in 1994 not to inner conflicts between group members but to mismanagement of their funding by their label. After seeing very little financial return for their musical efforts, the three young ladies opted to pursue other business opportunities outside of the music business.

[edit] Post-Music Careers

Jade has not released any albums as a group since 1994. Former member Joi Marshall continues to sing today as an independent gospel artist. She also wrote the book "Answers to the 20 Most Asked Questions about the Music Business." Di Reed owns her own real estate business. Tonya Kelly also owns her own business as an interior designer.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

1992: Jade to the Max (certified platinum in the U.S.)
1993: BET Listening Party Live
1994: Mind, Body & Song (certified gold in the U.S.)

[edit] Singles

Year	Song	U.S. Hot 100	U.S. R&B	UK	Album
1992	"I Wanna Love You"	16	7	13	Jade to the Max
1993	"Don't Walk Away"	4	2	7	Jade to the Max
1993	"One Woman"	22	16	22	Jade to the Max
1993	"Looking for Mr. Do Right"	69	16	74	Jade to the Max
1994	"All Thru the Nite" (POV featuring Jade)		31	32
1994	"5-4-3-2 (Yo! Time Is Up)"	72	13		Mind, Body & Song
1995	"Every Day of The Week"	20	15	19	Mind, Body & Song
1997	"Keep on Risin'"		50		The Sixth Man OST