“BODY & SOUL NYC” Spreading Love All Around The World

By Maria Esteves - June 8, 2008 

The phenomenal "Body & Soul" Memorial Day Weekend dance celebration presented by John Davis with world renown DJs Joaquin "Joe" Claussell, Francois "K" Kevorkian (MAESTRO documentary film), and Danny Krivit (MAESTRO, and featured in Mel Cheren's The Godfather of Disco documentary films), was held at the historical Webster Hall ballroom, New York, Sunday, May 25, 6:00 PM. The outstanding Sunday tea dance included producers, remixers, recording artists, performing artists, disk jockeys (DJs), and dance patrons.

Body&SOULNYC (1996-2004) founded by John Davis and François K, a weekly Sunday afternoon dance celebration held at club Vinyl (legendary club Shelter), in Tribeca, with resident DJs François K, Danny Krivit, and Joe Claussell specializing in electronic, soulful, and spiritual dance music. Thousands of people from around the world participated weekly in the dance, hearing the message of love through music, the universal language. Special performances throughout the years included Kenny Bobien, Jocelyn Brown, D-train, Incognito, Eddie Palmieri, and many others. In 2004, club Vinyl was sold and became an apartment complex. However, Body&SOUL continues to spread the message of love all around the world reminding me of the great 1977 dance tune "Love Epedemic" by The Tramps. Thousands have gathered in Italy, Tokyo, and at Central Park Summerstage, New York.

2008 Body & Soul summer world tour dates are: July 5, Rock in Rio (Electronic Tent), Madrid, Spain; and July 12, Need2Soul London, England. Their successful CD compilations and 12' vinyls are available for purchase online http://www.bodyandsoul-nyc.com/main.html.

2008 Body&SOUL NYC Memorial Day Weekend dance celebration at Webster Hall ballroom, (from right-left),  DJ/producer/editor/remixer
Danny Krivit; Body&SOUL promoter John Davis, JD Promotions;
Wave Music record label owner/DJ/producer/remixer Francois K;
and Spiritual Life Music record label owner/ DJ/producer/remixer
Joe Claussell.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES

Joaquin "Joe" Claussell - Spiritual Life Music Record Label Owner/ DJ/Producer/Remixer

Joe Claussell who lives in New York, is a DJ, producer, remixer, owner of Dance Track record shop, Spiritual Life Music and Ibadan record labels. Clausell incorporates Latin, African, Brazilian and other world rhythms with elements of jazz, rock, disco, and live instrumentation.

In the late 1980s, Claussell a disco veteran, participator at DJ sessions from legendary figures David Mancuso and Larry Levan, began working at Dance Tracks record store. He developed a partnership with Stefan Prescott and made Dance Tracks one of the city's leading vinyl stores. Claussell moved into production and mirrored eclectic mix styles with acoustic instruments, rich in percussion patterns.

In the mid 1990s, Claussell's Body&SOUL weekly Sunday afternoon dance celebration with resident DJs François Kevorkian and Danny Krivit fostered the birth of modern dance music from the 1970s David Mancuso "The Loft", with a varied mix of vibrant music ranging from Milton Nascimento, Masters at Work, Cesario Evora, Kevin Yost, and Fela Kuti.

In 1996, Claussell started Spiritual Life Music record label releasing the single "Stubborn Problems" by Timmy Regisford, as well as tracks from Mateo & Matos, Blaze, Slam Mode, and frequent production partner Jephte Guillaume. Claussell's second record label Ibadan, released his first single the 1997 Brazilian house workout "Escravos de Joe".

Francois "K" Kevorkian - Wave Music Record Label Owner/ DJ/Producer/Remixer

Francois K born and raised in France is a DJ, producer, remixer and owner of Wave Music record label. His passion for music as a teenager, led to playing the drums. In 1975, he moved to the United States in hopes of a challenging position as a drummer. In 1976, due to extreme competition, he became a DJ at underground dance venues in New York City. He was guest DJ at the Paradise Garage, The Loft, Better Days, Studio 54, Les Mouches, Buttermilk Bottom, and AM-PM; and resident DJ at New Jersey's Club Zanzibar.

In 1977, Francois K began spinning at New York, New York commercial dance venue. He taught himself tape editing and started making disco medleys, such as Rare Earth's "Happy Song". He worked as A&R for Prelude Records, which allowed to him studio access for remixing. Francois K first remix, of Patrick Adams production, "In The Bush" by Musique became a success in clubs and on the radio. His remixes of "You're The One For Me' and "Keep On" by D-Train, and "Beat The Street" by Sharon Redd defined the sound of New York's dance music. In 1982, Francois K had the most number one singles in Billboard's Dance Music Chart, which included remixes of "Situation" by Yazoo, and "Go Bang" by Dinosaur L. He also did remixes for Moloko, Yoko Ono, Cesaria Evora, and Nina Simone.

Francois K's Axis Studios, located in the same building as Studio 54 became a major commercial operation. He collaborated with artists, such as Eurythmics, Diana Ross, U2, Kraftwerk, Mick Jagger, Ashford & Simpson, The Cure, Midnight Oil, Jimmy Cliff, Foreigner, Jean Michel Jarre, Jan Hammer, The Fatback Band, Bunny Wailer, The Smiths, Pet Shop Boys, Cabaret Voltaire, and culminated in the 1986 mixing of Kraftwerk's album, Electric Café. He mixed Depeche Mode biggest-selling album, Violator and many of their 12" club remixes.

In 1995, he started Wave Music, an eclectic independent record label. In 1996, he along with partner John Davis became involved in one of New York's most revered weekly Sunday afternoon dance celebration, Body&SOUL at Club Vinyl with co-resident DJs Joe Claussell and Danny Krivit.

In 2002, Francois K release of Sonar Music (Techno and Dub) marked a turning point. He toured with Detroit Techno legend Derrick May as the 'Cosmic Twins'. In April 2003, François K became resident DJ of Deep Space NYC, a weekly Monday night event at Cielo dance venue, focusing on dub, eclectic, techno, reggae, dubstep, hip-hop, drum & bass, house music and disco. His Deep Space NYC Vol. 1, CD compilation featured original productions, along with Jamaican dub legends Mutabaruka and U-Roy.

In 2005, François K was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame as remixer and DJ. In 2006, He released 'Frequencies', (Wavetec), compilation CD. His world tours included the Sonar Multimedia Festival (Barcelona), Global Gathering (UK), Exit Festival (Serbia), The Big Chill (UK), Electric Picnic (Ireland). In April 2008, he was credited for the continuous DJ mix and voice on the dance radio station "Electro-Choc" in the game Grand Theft Auto IV.

Danny Krivit - DJ/Producer/Editor/Remixer

Danny Krivit a native New Yorker from Greenwich Village, is a DJ, producer, editor, and remixer. Krivit parents was a musical inspiration. His mother was an accomplished jazz singer. His father, manager of legendary jazz trumpeter Chet Baker, and owner of "The Ninth Circle", where he worked and met Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Charlie Mingus, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, amongst others. His neighbors living down the hall were The Mothers of Invention, and Sid Bernstein (Manager of The Rascals). Krivit friends included classmate son of production artist Creed Taylor, VERVE, C.T.I. & KUDA labels, and Nile Rogers.

Krivit 35 years of DJ talent has given many highlights. In 1970, he began collecting vinyl records and started to DJ. In 1971, a neighbor/friend Vice President of Polydor Records introduced Krivit to the legendary James Brown, who gave him white-label promo copies of "Get on the Good foot" and "Think" by Lynn Collins. Krivit DJ'd for "The Ninth Circle" which was transformed into a disco. From 1975 -1977, Krivit was the sole DJ of his father's second club called "Ones." He became part of the underground dance scene, meeting Nicky Siano (The Gallery), Walter Gibbons (Galaxy 21), Tee Scott (Better Days), David Rodriguez (The Limelight), Richie Kaczar (Club Hollywood), Bobby DJ (Le Jardin) and David Mancuso (The Loft) who stood out amongst the rest, where Krivit established long-term friendships with Larry Levan (Paradise Garage) and Francois "K" Kevorkian. In 1979, he was resident DJ "Danny Rock" at Roxy, home of hip-hop DJs such as "D.S.T", Grand master Flash, and Africa Bambaata.

From 1980 - 1990s, Krivit played six to seven nights a week, which included the Area, Danceteria, The Ice Palace, Laces, The Limelight, Red Zone, Save The Robots, Studio 54, Tracks, The Tunnel, The World, Mars, Tracks, The Choice, Palladium, Shelter, Sound Factory Bar, Twilo, The Warehouse, The Loft, and a guest spot at the Paradise Garage. He worked in studios on tracks featuring legends James Brown "Soul Power", "The Funky Drummer", "Give it up and Turn it loose", Ecstasy, Passion & Pain "Touch and Go", Brenda and the Tabulations "Let's Go All the Way", Gloria Gaynor "Casanova Brown", and the classic MFSB "Love Is The Message." His credits are included in over 200 records, earning a status of "King Of The Re-editing, bringing attention and world acceptance to the art of editing.

From 1996 - 2004, Krivit joined the Body&SOUL team with Francois K and Joe Claussell, at club Vinyl spinning every Sundays, while spinning at various clubs in Japan, New York, and everywhere in-between.

Krivit is enjoying success as resident DJ of the award winning "Best Party In NYC", "THE 718 SESSIONS" held at various venues in Manhattan. He is in charge of every aspect of the party (lighting, graphic design, merchandise). He holds a barrage of guest spots at venues such as APT, Cielo, Deep (LA), Devotion (San Francisco), Love, Pacha, Shelter, Stereo (Montreal), Sole, Spirit, Table 50, and Warehouse.

Historical films and literature such as "Maestro", "Love Saves The Day", "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life", and Mel Cheren's "My Life & The Paradise Garage" include Krivit as one of the players in the history of New York night life who can honestly say he's DJ'd in all the hottest clubs in New York! Krivit's play list have been listed on Billboard, Cash Box, Record World, and Dance Music Report magazines. His mix tapes get airplay on WBLS, WKTU, and KISS FM radio station.