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KEEP THE PARTY GOING AN INTERVIEW WITH DJ RAY JARRELL By liZaBEth ZinDEl
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ne of DJ Ray Jarrell’s favorite memories happened in The Monkey Bar at the Sandy Lane resort in Barbados. It was 5 am and he had just finished spinning an after-party for a group of guests. As he was leaving, a guest came up to him with his tie draped around his head, his shirt off, drenched in sweat, and said, “Can you play one more song please?” With over eighteen years in the music industry, Jarrell is the founder and creative director of Jarrell Entertainment. The brand is a leader in entertainment creation for the most selective clients and planners worldwide. They are known for creating experiences that are luxurious, sophisticated, and down-to-earth. Every minute of an event is choreographed with care to ensure success. “If people are having a crazy good time at an event, then I am enjoying the party,” said Jarrell. He defines the DJs at Jarrell Entertainment as music specialists. “They get the party going and keep it going. Our process is to curate music that matches our client’s vision and tells a really good story,” he said. “We don’t know what it’s like to have an off night.” While Jarrell has spun reggae at Sunshine’s on Nevi’s Island, played in the Bahamas on the same stage with Flo Rida for a wedding after-party, and spun in the Côte d’Azur on a 300-foot yacht,
one of his favorite destinations to spin music is the Hamptons. “The Hamptons is a magical place. Artists have always flocked here for the golden light and creativity,” he said. “During the summer there is a sophisticated, well-dressed, elegant, artist, eclectic, world-traveling crowd. This crowd knows the best of the world and expects it. I like delivering under that pressure.” Currently, Jarrell is enjoying finding an inventive answer to a potential client’s question, “Should I have a band or a DJ?” He believes a client doesn’t have to choose between the two and has developed Evolution: The DJ | Hybrid Band. “Created with the discerning client in mind, we surround a DJ with musicians such as a saxophonist, percussionist, and bass guitarist. This adds a 4th dimension to a performance and blows people away,” he said. In his free time, the busy entrepreneur enjoys spending time at South Fork’s beaches with his family. Jarrell said, “There is an amazing art and music scene out East. The Surf Lodge is a great example. It gets packed, but they bring in some brilliant singers. G.Love was awesome last year!” DJ Ray Jarrell jarrellentertainment.com Social Life