Jamiroquai
Jamiroquai are an English acid jazz, and funk band, formed in 1992 by lead singer-songwriter Jay Kay. The name is a portmanteau of the words jam (in the musical sense) and Iroquois, the name of a native American tribe. Through frequent line-up changes, Jay Kay has remained the only constant member.
Earlier releases under the Acid Jazz record label are considered hallmarks of the eponymous music style, although they have explored other genres such as rock, Latin, electronic, and disco music in subsequent releases.
It has been claimed that the band were formed after a failed audition by Jay Kay to become the lead singer for the Brand New Heavies although the Brand New Heavies denied this.[1]
Discography
- Emergency on Planet Earth (1993)
- The Return of the Space Cowboy (1994)
- Travelling Without Moving (1996)
- Synkronized (1999)
- A Funk Odyssey (2001)
- Dynamite (2005)
- Rock Dust Light Star (2010)
- Automaton (2017)
- Upcoming ninth album (expected 2026)
Members
Current Jamiroquai lineup [1][2]
- Jay Kay (vocals) - since 1992
- Matt Johnson (keyboards) - since 2002
- Paul Turner (bass) - since 2005
- Rob Harris (guitar) - since 2000
- Derrick McKenzie (drums) - since 1994
- Valerie Etienne (backing vocals) - since 2001
- Hazel Fernandez (backing vocals) - since 2001
- Romina Johnson (backing vocals) - since 2025
- Sara De Santis (keyboards) - since 2025
- Fabio De Oliveira (percussion) - since 2025
- Nick Van Gelder (drums) - 1992-1994
- Stuart Zender (bass) - 1992-1998
- Wallis Buchanan (didgeridoo) - 1992-2000
- Simon Katz (guitar) - 1995-2000
- Toby Smith (keyboards) - 1992-2002
- Nick Fyffe (bass) - 1998-2003 [1]
- Nate Williams (guitar, keyboards) - 2017-2020
- Howard Whiddett (Ableton Live) - 2017-2022
- Elle Cato (backing vocals) - 2017-2025
- Sola Akingbola (percussion, backing vocals) - 1994-2025
- Lauraine McIntosh (backing vocals) - 2002-2014 [3]
Tours [4]
- Emergency on Planet Earth Tour (1993)
- The Return of the Space Cowboy Tour (1994–1996)
- Travelling Without Moving Tour (1996–1997)
- Synkronized Tour (1999–2000)
- A Funk Odyssey Tour (2001–2002)
- Dynamite Tour (2005)
- Rock Dust Light Star Tour (2010–2014)
- Automaton Tour (2017–2019)
- The Heels of Steel Tour (2025–2026)