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	{{short description\|American electronic musician}}		{{short description\|American electronic musician}}
	{{other people}}		{{other people\|Curtis Jones}}
	{{Use mdy dates\|date=May 2020}}		{{Use mdy dates\|date=May 2020}}
	{{BLP sources\|date=February 2008}}
	{{Infobox musical artist		{{Infobox musical artist
	\| name = ~~Curtis~~ ~~Jones~~		\| name = Green Velvet
	\| image = Spring Awakening Fest, Chicago 6 17 12 (747064872).jpg		\| image = Spring Awakening Fest, Chicago 6 17 12 (747064872).jpg
	\| caption = ~~Curtis~~ ~~Jones~~ performing at the 2012 ]		\| caption = Green Velvet performing at the 2012 ]
	\| background = solo_singer		\| background = solo_singer
	\| alias = {{hlist\|Cajmere\|~~Green~~ ~~Velvet~~\|~~Gino~~ ~~Vittori\|Geo Vogt~~\|Curan Stone\|~~Half~~ ~~Pint~~}}		\| alias = {{hlist\|Cajmere\|Geo Vogt\|Half Pint\|Curan Stone\|Gino Vittori}}
			\| birth_name = Curtis Alan Jones
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date and age\|~~1967~~\|04\|26\|}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date and age\|mf=yes\|1968\|04\|26}}
	\| birth_place = ], ], U.S.		\| birth_place = ], ], U.S.
	\| death_date =		\| death_date =
	\| death_place =		\| death_place =
			\| genre = {{hlist\|]<ref name=djmag2017/>\|]<ref name=djmag2017/>}}
	\| instrument = {{hlist\|Synthesizers\|vocals}}
			\| occupation = {{hlist\|Singer\|record producer\|DJ}}
	\| genre = {{hlist\|]\|]\|]}}
	\| years_active = 1991–present		\| years_active = 1991–present
	\| label = {{hlist\|Relief\|Cajual\|Music Man\|F-111\|]}}		\| label = {{hlist\|Relief\|Cajual\|Music Man\|F-111\|]}}
	\| associated_acts =		\| associated_acts = {{hlist\|Get Real\|]\|]}}
	\| website = {{URL\|green-velvet.com}}		\| website = {{URL\|green-velvet.com}}
	}}		}}
	'''Curtis Alan Jones''' (born April 26, ~~1967~~) is an American singer, ~~songwriter and~~ record producer. ~~His~~ ~~style~~ of ~~house~~ ~~and~~ ~~techno~~ ~~music~~ ~~has~~ ~~been~~ ~~compared~~ to ~~and~~ ~~inspired~~ by ~~the likes of~~ ],<ref>{{cite web\|url=~~http~~://~~thestar~~.ie/~~preacher-man-interview~~-~~with~~-green-velvet/\|title=~~Interview~~ ~~With~~ Green Velvet\|work=~~The~~ ~~Irish Daily Star~~\|~~access-~~date=~~September~~ 24, ~~2015~~\|~~archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925133948/http://thestar.ie/preacher-man-interview-with-green-velvet/\|archive~~-date=~~2015-09-25\|url-status=dead~~}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web~~\|title=Green Velvet Interview~~\|url=https://news.beatport.com/chicagos-ageless-unapologetic-raver-green-velvet-remains-defiant-and-unshakable/\|~~website~~=Beatport\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925094001/https://news.beatport.com/chicagos-ageless-unapologetic-raver-green-velvet-remains-defiant-and-unshakable/\|archive-date=September 25, 2015\|url-status=dead}}</ref> ~~], and ].~~		'''Curtis Alan Jones'''<ref name=washingtonpost/> (born April 26, 1968),<ref name=allmusic/> better known by his stage name '''Green Velvet''', is an American singer, record producer, and DJ. '']'' described him as "a stalwart figure in both ] and ]".<ref name=djmag2017>{{cite web\|url=https://djmag.com/features/best-dj-green-velvet\|title=Best DJ: Green Velvet\|work=]\|first=Dani\|last=Deahl\|date=June 28, 2017\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> He is also known as '''Cajmere''',<ref name=beatport/> '''Geo Vogt''',<ref name=beatport/> '''Half Pint''',<ref name=beatport/> '''Curan Stone''',<ref name=beatport/> and '''Gino Vittori'''.<ref name=beatport>{{cite web\|url=https://news.beatport.com/chicagos-ageless-unapologetic-raver-green-velvet-remains-defiant-and-unshakable/\|title=Chicago's "ageless, unapologetic raver" Green Velvet remains defiant and Unshakable\|work=]\|first=Jason\|last=Black\|date=November 4, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925094001/https://news.beatport.com/chicagos-ageless-unapologetic-raver-green-velvet-remains-defiant-and-unshakable/\|archive-date=September 25, 2015\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

		⚫	==Early life==
	Jones is also known as '''Cajmere''', '''Geo Vogt''', '''Green Velvet''', '''Half Pint''', '''Curan Stone''', and '''Gino Vittori'''.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Curtis Jones aliases & discography\|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/219-Green-Velvet\|website=]\|access-date=}}</ref>
			Green Velvet was born Curtis Alan Jones<ref name=washingtonpost>{{cite web\|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/going-out-guide/wp/2015/07/30/green-velvets-sound-is-still-percolating/\|title=Green Velvet's sound is still percolating\|work=]\|first=Chris\|last=Richards\|date=July 30, 2015\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> on April 26, 1968 in ], ].<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web\|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/green-velvet-mn0000187249/biography\|title=Green Velvet - Biography\|work=]\|first=John\|last=Bush\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> He grew up listening to ], ], ], and ].<ref name=villagevoice2012/> In the mid 1980s, he was introduced to ] via the radio.<ref name=villagevoice2012>{{cite web\|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2012/08/03/qa-cajmere-on-his-roots-the-differences-between-house-and-rave-audiences-and-tweaking-percolator/\|title=Q&A: Cajmere On His Roots, The Differences Between House And Rave Audiences, And Tweaking "Percolator"\|work=]\|first=Michaelangelo\|last=Matos\|date=August 3, 2012\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> He started making music with a "sixty-buck keyboard, a cheap four-track and a cheap drum machine".<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/10167-download-cajmere-chit-chat-chicago-house\|title=Listen: Cajmere - 'Chit Chat'\|work=]\|first=Amanda\|last=Barokh\|date=September 26, 2012\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> He graduated from the ] with a degree in chemical engineering.<ref name=allmusic/> After attending the ], he moved back to Chicago in 1991.<ref name=allmusic-cajmere>{{cite web\|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/cajmere-mn0000639671/biography\|title=Cajmere - Biography\|work=]\|first=John\|last=Bush\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref>

	==~~Biography~~==		==Career==
			In 1991, Jones started releasing his music under the Cajmere moniker.<ref name=thequietus2012>{{cite web\|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/10599-cajmere-green-velvet-interview\|title=Caffeine Funk: An Interview With Cajmere\|work=]\|first=Melissa\|last=Bradshaw\|date=November 7, 2012\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> In 1992, he founded a record label, Cajual Records.<ref name=thequietus2012/> In that year, he released a single, "Coffee Pot (It's Time for the Percolator)" also known as "Percolator".<ref name=washingtonpost/> '']'' included it on the "20 Best Chicago House Records" list in 2014.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/20-best-chicago-house-records-11411/cajmere-coffee-pot-its-time-for-the-percolator-1992-79311/\|title=20 Best Chicago House Records: Cajmere – "Coffee Pot (It's Time For the Percolator)" (1992)\|work=]\|first1=Arielle\|last1=Castillo\|first2=Geeta\|last2=Dayal\|first3=Keith\|last3=Harris\|date=April 2, 2014\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> '']'' included it on the "20 Best US Rave Anthems of the '90s" list in 2019.<ref name=mixmag2019>{{cite web\|url=https://mixmag.net/feature/20-best-us-rave-anthems-90s\|title=The 20 best US rave anthems of the '90s\|work=]\|first=Cameron\|last=Holbrook\|date=July 29, 2019\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> In that year, he also released a collaborative single with ], titled "Brighter Days".<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/August-2018/House-Music/\|title=House Music: A Condensed History of Chicago House\|work=]\|first1=Jacob\|last1=Arnold\|first2=Lorena\|last2=Cupcake\|first3=Meaghan\|last3=Garvey\|first4=Michaelangelo\|last4=Matos\|first5=Steve\|last5=Mizek\|date=August 2018\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> It peaked at number 2 on the '']'' ] chart.<ref name=djmag2017/> In 1993, he founded another record label, Relief Records.<ref name=thequietus2012/>

			In 1995, he released a single, "Flash", under the Green Velvet moniker.<ref name=billboard2019/> ''Billboard'' included it on the "10 Essential '90s Rave Jams" list in 2019.<ref name=billboard2019>{{cite web\|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8519249/top-10-essential-90s-rave-jams\|title=Camera's Ready, Prepare to Flash: 10 Essential '90s Rave Jams\|work=]\|first=Liz\|last=Ohanesian\|date=July 11, 2019\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> ''Mixmag'' included it on the "20 Best US Rave Anthems of the '90s" list in 2019.<ref name=mixmag2019/>
⚫	===Early ~~years=~~==
	Before becoming a professional musician, Jones studied chemical engineering at the University of Illinois. In 1991, he left a Master's program at ] to move back to Chicago, releasing his first song ("Coffee Pot" on ClubHouse Records) the same year.<ref name="rough">{{cite book \| last = Bidder \| first = Sean \| authorlink = \| coauthors = \| title = House: the Rough Guide \| publisher = Rough Guides Ltd \| date = June 1999 \| location = London \| pages = 44–46 \| url = \| doi = \| id = \| isbn = }}</ref> Up until this point, music had been a hobby fueled by cobbling together tracks on his "sixty-buck keyboard, a cheap four-track and a cheap drum machine"{{Citation needed\|date=March 2008}} set-up while still an undergraduate at the University of Illinois. This DIY method of production was never taken seriously, and when childhood plans to become a doctor were shelved, Jones was firmly committed to a career as a chemical engineer. His father was an occasional DJ and eventually became a budding musician. As time went on, Jones discovered what was his innate love and understanding for house music, a sound that had grown throughout the mid-1980s out of Chicago's deep-rooted house music scene. He played the saxophone at school and had a talent for trying to play with a keyboard but remained largely un-interested in what he saw as his father's passion. It was this cut-up and tacky production style of the early house sound that Jones absorbed and translated{{Citation needed\|date=August 2007}} into the ''Underground Goodies'' EP, his first release as Cajmere (the CAJ derived from the artist's initials) <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.deejaybooking.com/greenvelvet\|title=DJ Booking biography\|access-date=March 18, 2008\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220230353/http://www.deejaybooking.com/greenvelvet\|archive-date=February 20, 2007}}</ref>) put out in 1991 on his own recently started Cajual label.<ref name="rough" /> A year later he had his first massive hit as Cajmere with the house tune "Coffee Pot (It's Time for the Percolator)," which was also released on Cajual and distributed by NYC-based Emotive Records. He then teamed up with Chicago-based vocalist ] for "Brighter Days," which entered #2 on the ''Billboard'' ],<ref name="rough" /> a high-impact and mellower house tune that was released on Cajual and distributed by NYC-based Emotive Records.{{citation needed\|date=May 2020}}

			Green Velvet's debut studio album, '']'', was released in 1999.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2000/04/25/hardcore-jollies/\|title=Hardcore Jollies\|work=]\|first=Simon\|last=Reynolds\|date=April 25, 2000\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> In 2000, he released a compilation album, '']''.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.popmatters.com/greenvelvet-st-2495919657.html\|title=Green Velvet: self-titled\|work=]\|first=Dave\|last=Heaton\|date=April 24, 2000\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> He released '']'' in 2001,<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://thestar.ie/preacher-man-interview-with-green-velvet/\|title=Interview With Green Velvet\|work=]\|access-date=September 24, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925133948/http://thestar.ie/preacher-man-interview-with-green-velvet/\|archive-date=September 25, 2015\|url-status=dead}}</ref> '']'' in 2005,<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.residentadvisor.net/news/6738\|title=Xbox teams up with Green Velvet\|work=]\|first=Nick\|last=Torrens\|date=June 8, 2005\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> and ''Unshakable'' in 2013.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2013/11/green-velvet-unshakable-album-review/\|title=Green Velvet – Unshakable \|work=]\|first=Matt\|last=Medved\|date=November 6, 2013\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.slugmag.com/national-music-reviews/green-velvet-unshakable/\|title=Review: Green Velvet - Unshakable\|work=]\|first=Kamryn\|last=Feigel\|date=December 31, 2013\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref>
	===Green Velvet transformation===
	Interested in making something totally different from his Cajmere moniker and other work, Curtis created Relief as an offshoot to his Cajual records in 1993. The first Relief release was also his first Green Velvet production, 1993's "Velvet Tracks,"<ref name="rough" /> which came from a name given to him by a girlfriend's father, emerged as the flamboyant, neon-haired electro punk, although in interviews he denied being linked to the Punk lifestyle and fashion, as he was more inspired by the likes of ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.trackitdown.net/news/show/100867.html\|title=Interview with Green Velvet\|website=Trackitdown.net\|access-date=}}</ref> and ],<ref name=trustthedj>{{cite web\|url=http://www.trustthedj.com/SKRUFFF/news_article.php?news_id=5931\|title=TrusttheDJ - SKRUFFF NEWS\|date=July 10, 2009\|access-date=December 2, 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710101125/http://www.trustthedj.com/SKRUFFF/news_article.php?news_id=5931\|archive-date=July 10, 2009\|url-status=dead}}</ref> he created mid-1990s hits such as "Preacher Man," on which a ]-type of preacher spoke (the Reverend Trotter,<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/10599-cajmere-green-velvet-interview\|title=An Interview With Cajmere\|work=]\|first=Melissa\|last=Bradshaw\|date=November 7, 2012\|access-date=October 31, 2015\|quote=Green Velvet's 'The Preacher Man', a pumping acid-y techno track which featured Chicago's Reverend Trotter sermonising about young people these days sleeping around, was conceived when Jones got home after a night out and heard Trotter on the radio.}}</ref> not, contrary to popular belief, Reverend Franklin); "Answering Machine," a darkly funny house track consisting of taped messages from an answering machine, including a bad news message from a girlfriend and a noise complaint message from his landlord—all made with Jones's voice; and "Flash," which was a #1 US dance hit in 1995 and was included on many ]-mixed compilation albums. After DJing under both of his now infamous monikers, he released his first album, '']'', with Belgian Music label Music Man in 1999,<ref name="rough" /> which showed Green Velvet's style of house progress into styles similar to ] and ], his spoken-word monologues also took a bizarre turn. In ''Abduction'' he spoke about little green men turning up while washing dishes.{{citation needed\|date=May 2020}}

			In 2014, he teamed up with ] to form the side project Get Real.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2014/12/claude-vonstroke-green-velvet-form-new-side-project-get-real/\|title=Claude VonStroke and Green Velvet form new side project, 'Get Real'\|work=]\|first=Lizzie\|last=Renck\|date=December 2, 2014\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> The duo's debut single, "Mind Yo Bizness" / "Snuffaluffagus", was released in 2016.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2016/01/claude-vonstroke-green-velvet-release-first-music-get-real/\|title=Claude VonStroke and Green Velvet release their first music as Get Real\|work=]\|first=Michael\|last=Sundius\|date=January 27, 2016\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> The duo's second single, "Jolean", was released in 2019.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2019/11/claude-vonstroke-green-velvet-duo-get-real-dole-out-2nd-release-ever-jolean/\|title=Claude VonStroke, Green Velvet duo, Get Real dole out second release ever, 'Jolean'\|work=]\|first=Benjamin\|last=Yi\|date=November 22, 2019\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref>
	===The ''Whatever'' era===
	By the time ''Constant Chaos'' was released, Jones had temporarily halted activity on his labels for almost a year. Still DJing as Cajmere he'd narrowed the Green Velvet persona down to live performances only, taking time out to re-group and work out what to do next. During 2000, Jones was briefly signed to ]' short-lived F-111 imprint, where he released his second compilation album, the self-titled '']'', which contained the double-A-sided single "Flash" backed with "Answering Machine". During this time he gave Velvet a new hairstyle—from spiked, green foam nodules to yellow mohawk. Next, in 2001, he unleashed his second album, the dark '']'', which was a step away from his ]-inspired sound (although ''Sleepwalking'' had a similar style) to a darker, more political ]-esque style. On the album he tackled such issues as racism (highlighted on the song ''When?''), drug use (highlighted on ''Genedefekt'' and ''La La Land''), alienation (highlighted on ''Sleepwalking''), and being told what to wear and do by "the system" (highlighted on the heavily punk-inspired track ''Gat''). The more punk-oriented songs on the album apparently came from hours spent listening to ] bands such as ] and Liaisons Dangereuses, and lots of "underground American industrial stuff." He released the single ''La La Land'' in 2001, originally designed as a wake-up call for clubbers to the dangers of pill-taking it became one of his most popular tunes. This was followed by ''Genedefekt''. His live act had now became more like a rock band also, with the Curtis playing a ], and two other musicians (aptly named Nazuk and Spaceboy) backing him, playing heavily distorted synths. Initially Jones, as both Cajmere and Green Velvet, was receiving more attention in Europe than he did in the USA, playing a ] live session on the ] show and playing a host of festivals.{{citation needed\|date=May 2020}}

			In 2015, he released a collaborative album with ], titled ''Unity''.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.residentadvisor.net/news/28882\|title=Carl Craig and Green Velvet release surprise collaborative LP\|work=]\|first=Andrew\|last=Ryce\|date=March 25, 2015\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref>
	===Recent projects===
	After appearing under a host of different names for his various remixing and side projects, Green Velvet released his third album, '']'', in 2005. This album had a more ]-oriented style to it, but the odd Prince- and Punk-sounding tracks still remained, as Curtis actually got a live guitarist to play on "Come Back" and the closing track "Pin-Up Girl" had a similarity to New York-based Electroclash group ]. After ''Walk In Love'', Green Velvet produced and remixed releases for fellow Relief Records artists and himself, and played a host of DJ session live shows in 2006.{{citation needed\|date=May 2020}}

			==Personal life==
	After staying quiet in the music scene, Green Velvet revealed in 2006 he had become a ] after a serious overdose of a mixture of ], ] and (allegedly) ],<ref name=trustthedj/> and promised to turn his life around after this incident. His latest release, the single "Shake and Pop", is a departure from the recent darker electronica style, as he claims he has found a brighter future since converting. In 2007, he released the online-only track "Love Peace, Not War", a short ditty in response to the United States' war in Iraq.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://inthemix.junkee.com/green-velvet-all-about-the-love/13315\|title=Green Velvet: All about the love\|work=Junkee\|first=Jack\|last=Tregoning\|date=April 21, 2010\|access-date=January 4, 2018}}</ref>
			In the mid 2000s, Green Velvet revealed on ] that he had become a ],<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://xlr8r.com/features/green-velvet-the-percolator/\|title=Green Velvet: The Percolator\|work=]\|first=Stacey\|last=Dugan\|date=February 6, 2007\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> after a serious overdose of a mixture of ], ], and (allegedly) ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://itm.junkee.com/green-velvet-mission-from-god/6248\|title=Green Velvet: Mission from God\|work=]\|first=Chris\|last=Sime\|date=November 8, 2006\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref>

	In 2014, Green Velvet joined forces with the head of Dirtybird Records, ] (another veteran artist who grew up in the Mid-West), to form a side project known as Get Real. With both having a noticeable impact on both the house and techno scenes, many wondered why this duo didn't happen sooner. In reality, the project was by accident. A recent interview with Claude revealed that the duo met for only their second time during the Winter Music Conference in Miami. There, the two were accidentally scheduled simultaneously and they decided to make the best of the situation. It couldn't have turned out better. Their first release came out as an EP on Claude's label, with the appearance of “Mind Yo Bizness” and “Snuffaluffagus". Claude has stated, "Nobody is trying to steal the spotlight or take over the project which isn’t always the case in a duo. We each represent our style but we make a new style by working together."<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2015/01/claude-vonstroke-green-velvet-real-deal/\|title=Claude VonStroke & Green Velvet are taking Get Real to the next level\|work=Dancing Astronaut\|date=January 12, 2015\|access-date=December 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://mixmag.net/feature/claude-vonstroke-and-the-future-of-dance-music-in-america\|title=Claude VonStroke and the future of dance music in America\|work=]\|date=\|access-date=May 15, 2020}}</ref>

	==Discography==		==Discography==
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	* '']'' (2001) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}		* '']'' (2001) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}
	* '']'' (2005) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}		* '']'' (2005) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}
			* ''Unshakable'' (2013) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}
	* ''Unshakable'' (2013) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2013/11/green-velvet-unshakable-album-review/\|title=Green Velvet - Unshakable \|work=Dancing Astronaut\|date=November 6, 2013\|access-date=December 2, 2019}}</ref>
	* ''Unity'' (2015) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with ])}}		* ''Unity'' (2015) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with ])}}

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	* ''Underground Goodies'' (1993) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}		* ''Underground Goodies'' (1993) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}
	* ''Let Me Be'' (1993) {{small\|(as Underground Goodies)}}		* ''Let Me Be'' (1993) {{small\|(as Underground Goodies)}}
			* ''Velvet Tracks'' (1993) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}
	* ''Underground Goodies Vol V'' (1994) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}		* ''Underground Goodies Vol V'' (1994) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}
	* ''Underground Goodies Vol. VI'' (1994) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}		* ''Underground Goodies Vol. VI'' (1994) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}
Line 89:		Line 87:
	===Singles===		===Singles===
	* "Keep Movin'" (1991) {{small\|(as Cajmere, with Nané)}}		* "Keep Movin'" (1991) {{small\|(as Cajmere, with Nané)}}
	* "Brighter Days" (1992) {{small\|(as Cajmere, with Dajae)}}		* "Brighter Days" (1992) {{small\|(as Cajmere, with ])}}
	* "Chit Chat" (1992) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}		* "Chit Chat" (1992) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}
	* "Percolator" (1992) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}		* "Percolator" (1992) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}
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	* "Bigger than Prince" (2013) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}		* "Bigger than Prince" (2013) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}
	* "Suga" (2015) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with Technasia)}}		* "Suga" (2015) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with Technasia)}}
			* "Mind Yo Bizness" / "Snuffaluffagus" (2016) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with ])}}
	* "Keep Pushin' (Harder)" (2017) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with Riva Starr)}}		* "Keep Pushin' (Harder)" (2017) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with Riva Starr)}}
	* "Fuzion" (2019) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with Layton Giordani)}}<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fuzion-single/1450675105 \|title=Fuzion - Single by Green Velvet & Layton Giordani\|website=]\|access-date=February 6, 2019}}</ref>		* "Jolean" (2019) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with Claude VonStroke)}}
			* "Fuzion" (2019) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with Layton Giordani)}}<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fuzion-single/1450675105\|title=Fuzion - Single by Green Velvet & Layton Giordani\|website=]\|access-date=February 6, 2019}}</ref>

	==See also==
	* ]
	* ]

	==References==		==References==
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	==External links==		==External links==
	{{Commons category\|~~Cajmere~~}}		{{Commons category\|Curtis Jones}}
	*		*
	* {{Discogs artist\|Curtis Alan Jones\|Curtis Alan Jones}}		* {{Discogs artist\|Curtis Alan Jones\|Curtis Alan Jones}}
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	{{Authority control}}		{{Authority control}}

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Curtis}}
	]		]
	]		]

Revision as of 16:46, 21 June 2020

American electronic musician For other people named Curtis Jones, see Curtis Jones (disambiguation).

Green Velvet
Green Velvet performing at the 2012 Spring Awakening Music Festival
Background information
Birth name	Curtis Alan Jones
Also known as	Cajmere Geo Vogt Half Pint Curan Stone Gino Vittori
Born	(1968-04-26) April 26, 1968 (age 56) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	house techno
Occupations	Singer record producer DJ
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Relief Cajual Music Man F-111 Warner Bros.

Website	green-velvet.com

Musical artist

Curtis Alan Jones (born April 26, 1968), better known by his stage name Green Velvet, is an American singer, record producer, and DJ. DJ Mag described him as "a stalwart figure in both house and techno". He is also known as Cajmere, Geo Vogt, Half Pint, Curan Stone, and Gino Vittori.

Early life

Green Velvet was born Curtis Alan Jones on April 26, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up listening to blues, jazz, funk, and rock. In the mid 1980s, he was introduced to house music via the radio. He started making music with a "sixty-buck keyboard, a cheap four-track and a cheap drum machine". He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign with a degree in chemical engineering. After attending the University of California, Berkeley, he moved back to Chicago in 1991.

Career

In 1991, Jones started releasing his music under the Cajmere moniker. In 1992, he founded a record label, Cajual Records. In that year, he released a single, "Coffee Pot (It's Time for the Percolator)" also known as "Percolator". Rolling Stone included it on the "20 Best Chicago House Records" list in 2014. Mixmag included it on the "20 Best US Rave Anthems of the '90s" list in 2019. In that year, he also released a collaborative single with Dajae, titled "Brighter Days". It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. In 1993, he founded another record label, Relief Records.

In 1995, he released a single, "Flash", under the Green Velvet moniker. Billboard included it on the "10 Essential '90s Rave Jams" list in 2019. Mixmag included it on the "20 Best US Rave Anthems of the '90s" list in 2019.

Green Velvet's debut studio album, Constant Chaos, was released in 1999. In 2000, he released a compilation album, Green Velvet. He released Whatever in 2001, Walk in Love in 2005, and Unshakable in 2013.

In 2014, he teamed up with Claude VonStroke to form the side project Get Real. The duo's debut single, "Mind Yo Bizness" / "Snuffaluffagus", was released in 2016. The duo's second single, "Jolean", was released in 2019.

In 2015, he released a collaborative album with Carl Craig, titled Unity.

Personal life

In the mid 2000s, Green Velvet revealed on Myspace that he had become a born-again Christian, after a serious overdose of a mixture of Magic Mushrooms, Marijuana, and (allegedly) GHB.

Discography

Studio albums

Constant Chaos (1999) (as Green Velvet)
Whatever (2001) (as Green Velvet)
Walk in Love (2005) (as Green Velvet)
Unshakable (2013) (as Green Velvet)
Unity (2015) (as Green Velvet, with Carl Craig)

Compilation albums

The Nineties (1993 A.D. Through 1999 A.D) (1999) (as Green Velvet)
Green Velvet (2000) (as Green Velvet)
Lost & Found (2009) (as Green Velvet)
It's Time (2010) (as Cajmere)
Too Underground for the Main Stage (2013) (as Cajmere)

DJ mixes

The Future Sound of Chicago: Cajual Relief (1995) (as Cajmere, with DJ Sneak)
Wheels of Steel Vol. 1 (1997) (as Cajmere)
Techno Funk (2000) (as Cajmere)
Sessions (2006) (as Cajmere vs Green Velvet)

Extended plays

Underground Goodies Vol. I (1991) (as Cajmere)
Underground Goodies Vol. II (1992) (as Cajmere)
Underground Goodies Vol. III (1992) (as Cajmere)
Underground Goodies Vol. IV (1992) (as Cajmere)
Dreaming (1992) (as Cajmere, with Derrick Carter)
Underground Goodies (1993) (as Cajmere)
Let Me Be (1993) (as Underground Goodies)
Velvet Tracks (1993) (as Green Velvet)
Underground Goodies Vol V (1994) (as Cajmere)
Underground Goodies Vol. VI (1994) (as Cajmere)
Destination Unknown (1997) (as Green Velvet)
Chicago (2010) (as Cajmere, with Gene Farris)
New Gotham (2010) (as Cajmere, with Gene Farris)
The Chicago Jazz (2011) (as Cajmere, with Gene Farris)
Elevated Tracks (2011) (as Cajmere, with Gene Farris)
Go Dancing (2011) (as Cajmere, with Gene Farris)
Chicago Style (2011) (as Cajmere, with Gene Farris)
Playground (2011) (as Cajmere, with Gene Farris)
White Label (2012) (as Cajmere, with Gene Farris)
Black Label (2012) (as Cajmere, with Gene Farris)
Taste of Chi-Town (2012) (as Cajmere, with Gene Farris)
Jungle Love (2014) (as Cajmere, with Gene Farris)
It's All About Me (2014) (as Green Velvet, with Jay Lumen)

Singles

"Keep Movin'" (1991) (as Cajmere, with Nané)
"Brighter Days" (1992) (as Cajmere, with Dajae)
"Chit Chat" (1992) (as Cajmere)
"Percolator" (1992) (as Cajmere)
"Feelin' Kinda High" (1994) (as Cajmere)
"Flash" (1995) (as Green Velvet)
"Get Up Off Me" (1995) (as Cajmere, with Dajae)
"H*rny" (1995) (as Cajmere)
"Only 4 U" (1996) (as Cajmere)
"The Stalker" (1996) (as Green Velvet)
"Answering Machine" (1997) (as Green Velvet)
"Lookin' for a Man" (1997) (as Cajmere)
"Feelin'" (1998) (as Cajmere)
"Nasty" (2001) (as Cajmere)
"La La Land" (2001) (as Green Velvet)
"Genedefekt" (2002) (as Green Velvet)
"Coitus" (2002) (as Green Velvet)
"Sometimes I Do" (2003) (as Cajmere, with Walter Phillips)
"Midnight" (2004) (as Cajmere, with Walter Phillips)
"I Need U" (2004) (as Cajmere, with Dajae)
"Nude" (2004) (as Cajmere)
"Come" (2004) (as Cajmere)
"Powered" (2004) (as Cajmere)
"House-Werk" (2004) (as Cajmere)
"Say U Will" (2005) (as Cajmere, with Dajae)
"The Bathroom" (2005) (as Green Velvet)
"Temptation" (2005) (as Green Velvet)
"No S*x" (2005) (as Green Velvet)
"Cuz of You" (2005) (as Green Velvet)
"Shake & Pop" (2006) (as Green Velvet)
"Bigger than Prince" (2013) (as Green Velvet)
"Suga" (2015) (as Green Velvet, with Technasia)
"Mind Yo Bizness" / "Snuffaluffagus" (2016) (as Green Velvet, with Claude VonStroke)
"Keep Pushin' (Harder)" (2017) (as Green Velvet, with Riva Starr)
"Jolean" (2019) (as Green Velvet, with Claude VonStroke)
"Fuzion" (2019) (as Green Velvet, with Layton Giordani)

References

^ Deahl, Dani (June 28, 2017). "Best DJ: Green Velvet". DJ Mag. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
^ Richards, Chris (July 30, 2015). "Green Velvet's sound is still percolating". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
^ Bush, John. "Green Velvet - Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
^ Black, Jason (November 4, 2013). "Chicago's "ageless, unapologetic raver" Green Velvet remains defiant and Unshakable". Beatport. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015.
^ Matos, Michaelangelo (August 3, 2012). "Q&A: Cajmere On His Roots, The Differences Between House And Rave Audiences, And Tweaking "Percolator"". The Village Voice. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
Barokh, Amanda (September 26, 2012). "Listen: Cajmere - 'Chit Chat'". The Quietus. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
Bush, John. "Cajmere - Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
^ Bradshaw, Melissa (November 7, 2012). "Caffeine Funk: An Interview With Cajmere". The Quietus. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
Castillo, Arielle; Dayal, Geeta; Harris, Keith (April 2, 2014). "20 Best Chicago House Records: Cajmere – "Coffee Pot (It's Time For the Percolator)" (1992)". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
^ Holbrook, Cameron (July 29, 2019). "The 20 best US rave anthems of the '90s". Mixmag. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
Arnold, Jacob; Cupcake, Lorena; Garvey, Meaghan; Matos, Michaelangelo; Mizek, Steve (August 2018). "House Music: A Condensed History of Chicago House". Chicago. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
^ Ohanesian, Liz (July 11, 2019). "Camera's Ready, Prepare to Flash: 10 Essential '90s Rave Jams". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
Reynolds, Simon (April 25, 2000). "Hardcore Jollies". The Village Voice. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
Heaton, Dave (April 24, 2000). "Green Velvet: self-titled". PopMatters. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
"Interview With Green Velvet". Irish Daily Star. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
Torrens, Nick (June 8, 2005). "Xbox teams up with Green Velvet". Resident Advisor. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
Medved, Matt (November 6, 2013). "Green Velvet – Unshakable [Album Review]". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
Feigel, Kamryn (December 31, 2013). "Review: Green Velvet - Unshakable". SLUG Magazine. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
Renck, Lizzie (December 2, 2014). "Claude VonStroke and Green Velvet form new side project, 'Get Real'". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
Sundius, Michael (January 27, 2016). "Claude VonStroke and Green Velvet release their first music as Get Real". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
Yi, Benjamin (November 22, 2019). "Claude VonStroke, Green Velvet duo, Get Real dole out second release ever, 'Jolean'". Dancing Astronaut. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
Ryce, Andrew (March 25, 2015). "Carl Craig and Green Velvet release surprise collaborative LP". Resident Advisor. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
Dugan, Stacey (February 6, 2007). "Green Velvet: The Percolator". XLR8R. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
Sime, Chris (November 8, 2006). "Green Velvet: Mission from God". Junkee. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
"Fuzion - Single by Green Velvet & Layton Giordani". iTunes. Retrieved February 6, 2019.

External links

Official website
Curtis Alan Jones discography at Discogs

v t e Green Velvet
Studio albums	Constant Chaos (1999) Whatever (2001) Walk in Love (2005)
Compilation albums	The Nineties (1993 A.D. Through 1999 A.D.) (1999) Green Velvet (2000)
Singles	"La La Land" (2001)

Categories:

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	{{short description\|American electronic musician}}		{{short description\|American electronic musician}}
	{{other people}}		{{other people\|Curtis Jones}}
	{{Use mdy dates\|date=May 2020}}		{{Use mdy dates\|date=May 2020}}
	{{BLP sources\|date=February 2008}}
	{{Infobox musical artist		{{Infobox musical artist
	\| name = ~~Curtis~~ ~~Jones~~		\| name = Green Velvet
	\| image = Spring Awakening Fest, Chicago 6 17 12 (747064872).jpg		\| image = Spring Awakening Fest, Chicago 6 17 12 (747064872).jpg
	\| caption = ~~Curtis~~ ~~Jones~~ performing at the 2012 ]		\| caption = Green Velvet performing at the 2012 ]
	\| background = solo_singer		\| background = solo_singer
	\| alias = {{hlist\|Cajmere\|~~Green~~ ~~Velvet~~\|~~Gino~~ ~~Vittori\|Geo Vogt~~\|Curan Stone\|~~Half~~ ~~Pint~~}}		\| alias = {{hlist\|Cajmere\|Geo Vogt\|Half Pint\|Curan Stone\|Gino Vittori}}
			\| birth_name = Curtis Alan Jones
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date and age\|~~1967~~\|04\|26\|}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date and age\|mf=yes\|1968\|04\|26}}
	\| birth_place = ], ], U.S.		\| birth_place = ], ], U.S.
	\| death_date =		\| death_date =
	\| death_place =		\| death_place =
			\| genre = {{hlist\|]<ref name=djmag2017/>\|]<ref name=djmag2017/>}}
	\| instrument = {{hlist\|Synthesizers\|vocals}}
			\| occupation = {{hlist\|Singer\|record producer\|DJ}}
	\| genre = {{hlist\|]\|]\|]}}
	\| years_active = 1991–present		\| years_active = 1991–present
	\| label = {{hlist\|Relief\|Cajual\|Music Man\|F-111\|]}}		\| label = {{hlist\|Relief\|Cajual\|Music Man\|F-111\|]}}
	\| associated_acts =		\| associated_acts = {{hlist\|Get Real\|]\|]}}
	\| website = {{URL\|green-velvet.com}}		\| website = {{URL\|green-velvet.com}}
	}}		}}
	'''Curtis Alan Jones''' (born April 26, ~~1967~~) is an American singer, ~~songwriter and~~ record producer. ~~His~~ ~~style~~ of ~~house~~ ~~and~~ ~~techno~~ ~~music~~ ~~has~~ ~~been~~ ~~compared~~ to ~~and~~ ~~inspired~~ by ~~the likes of~~ ],<ref>{{cite web\|url=~~http~~://~~thestar~~.ie/~~preacher-man-interview~~-~~with~~-green-velvet/\|title=~~Interview~~ ~~With~~ Green Velvet\|work=~~The~~ ~~Irish Daily Star~~\|~~access-~~date=~~September~~ 24, ~~2015~~\|~~archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925133948/http://thestar.ie/preacher-man-interview-with-green-velvet/\|archive~~-date=~~2015-09-25\|url-status=dead~~}}</ref> ],<ref>{{cite web~~\|title=Green Velvet Interview~~\|url=https://news.beatport.com/chicagos-ageless-unapologetic-raver-green-velvet-remains-defiant-and-unshakable/\|~~website~~=Beatport\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925094001/https://news.beatport.com/chicagos-ageless-unapologetic-raver-green-velvet-remains-defiant-and-unshakable/\|archive-date=September 25, 2015\|url-status=dead}}</ref> ~~], and ].~~		'''Curtis Alan Jones'''<ref name=washingtonpost/> (born April 26, 1968),<ref name=allmusic/> better known by his stage name '''Green Velvet''', is an American singer, record producer, and DJ. '']'' described him as "a stalwart figure in both ] and ]".<ref name=djmag2017>{{cite web\|url=https://djmag.com/features/best-dj-green-velvet\|title=Best DJ: Green Velvet\|work=]\|first=Dani\|last=Deahl\|date=June 28, 2017\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> He is also known as '''Cajmere''',<ref name=beatport/> '''Geo Vogt''',<ref name=beatport/> '''Half Pint''',<ref name=beatport/> '''Curan Stone''',<ref name=beatport/> and '''Gino Vittori'''.<ref name=beatport>{{cite web\|url=https://news.beatport.com/chicagos-ageless-unapologetic-raver-green-velvet-remains-defiant-and-unshakable/\|title=Chicago's "ageless, unapologetic raver" Green Velvet remains defiant and Unshakable\|work=]\|first=Jason\|last=Black\|date=November 4, 2013\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925094001/https://news.beatport.com/chicagos-ageless-unapologetic-raver-green-velvet-remains-defiant-and-unshakable/\|archive-date=September 25, 2015\|url-status=dead}}</ref>

		⚫	==Early life==
	Jones is also known as '''Cajmere''', '''Geo Vogt''', '''Green Velvet''', '''Half Pint''', '''Curan Stone''', and '''Gino Vittori'''.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Curtis Jones aliases & discography\|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/219-Green-Velvet\|website=]\|access-date=}}</ref>
			Green Velvet was born Curtis Alan Jones<ref name=washingtonpost>{{cite web\|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/going-out-guide/wp/2015/07/30/green-velvets-sound-is-still-percolating/\|title=Green Velvet's sound is still percolating\|work=]\|first=Chris\|last=Richards\|date=July 30, 2015\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> on April 26, 1968 in ], ].<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web\|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/green-velvet-mn0000187249/biography\|title=Green Velvet - Biography\|work=]\|first=John\|last=Bush\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> He grew up listening to ], ], ], and ].<ref name=villagevoice2012/> In the mid 1980s, he was introduced to ] via the radio.<ref name=villagevoice2012>{{cite web\|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2012/08/03/qa-cajmere-on-his-roots-the-differences-between-house-and-rave-audiences-and-tweaking-percolator/\|title=Q&A: Cajmere On His Roots, The Differences Between House And Rave Audiences, And Tweaking "Percolator"\|work=]\|first=Michaelangelo\|last=Matos\|date=August 3, 2012\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> He started making music with a "sixty-buck keyboard, a cheap four-track and a cheap drum machine".<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/10167-download-cajmere-chit-chat-chicago-house\|title=Listen: Cajmere - 'Chit Chat'\|work=]\|first=Amanda\|last=Barokh\|date=September 26, 2012\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> He graduated from the ] with a degree in chemical engineering.<ref name=allmusic/> After attending the ], he moved back to Chicago in 1991.<ref name=allmusic-cajmere>{{cite web\|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/cajmere-mn0000639671/biography\|title=Cajmere - Biography\|work=]\|first=John\|last=Bush\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref>

	==~~Biography~~==		==Career==
			In 1991, Jones started releasing his music under the Cajmere moniker.<ref name=thequietus2012>{{cite web\|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/10599-cajmere-green-velvet-interview\|title=Caffeine Funk: An Interview With Cajmere\|work=]\|first=Melissa\|last=Bradshaw\|date=November 7, 2012\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> In 1992, he founded a record label, Cajual Records.<ref name=thequietus2012/> In that year, he released a single, "Coffee Pot (It's Time for the Percolator)" also known as "Percolator".<ref name=washingtonpost/> '']'' included it on the "20 Best Chicago House Records" list in 2014.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/20-best-chicago-house-records-11411/cajmere-coffee-pot-its-time-for-the-percolator-1992-79311/\|title=20 Best Chicago House Records: Cajmere – "Coffee Pot (It's Time For the Percolator)" (1992)\|work=]\|first1=Arielle\|last1=Castillo\|first2=Geeta\|last2=Dayal\|first3=Keith\|last3=Harris\|date=April 2, 2014\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> '']'' included it on the "20 Best US Rave Anthems of the '90s" list in 2019.<ref name=mixmag2019>{{cite web\|url=https://mixmag.net/feature/20-best-us-rave-anthems-90s\|title=The 20 best US rave anthems of the '90s\|work=]\|first=Cameron\|last=Holbrook\|date=July 29, 2019\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> In that year, he also released a collaborative single with ], titled "Brighter Days".<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/August-2018/House-Music/\|title=House Music: A Condensed History of Chicago House\|work=]\|first1=Jacob\|last1=Arnold\|first2=Lorena\|last2=Cupcake\|first3=Meaghan\|last3=Garvey\|first4=Michaelangelo\|last4=Matos\|first5=Steve\|last5=Mizek\|date=August 2018\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> It peaked at number 2 on the '']'' ] chart.<ref name=djmag2017/> In 1993, he founded another record label, Relief Records.<ref name=thequietus2012/>

			In 1995, he released a single, "Flash", under the Green Velvet moniker.<ref name=billboard2019/> ''Billboard'' included it on the "10 Essential '90s Rave Jams" list in 2019.<ref name=billboard2019>{{cite web\|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/8519249/top-10-essential-90s-rave-jams\|title=Camera's Ready, Prepare to Flash: 10 Essential '90s Rave Jams\|work=]\|first=Liz\|last=Ohanesian\|date=July 11, 2019\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> ''Mixmag'' included it on the "20 Best US Rave Anthems of the '90s" list in 2019.<ref name=mixmag2019/>
⚫	===Early ~~years=~~==
	Before becoming a professional musician, Jones studied chemical engineering at the University of Illinois. In 1991, he left a Master's program at ] to move back to Chicago, releasing his first song ("Coffee Pot" on ClubHouse Records) the same year.<ref name="rough">{{cite book \| last = Bidder \| first = Sean \| authorlink = \| coauthors = \| title = House: the Rough Guide \| publisher = Rough Guides Ltd \| date = June 1999 \| location = London \| pages = 44–46 \| url = \| doi = \| id = \| isbn = }}</ref> Up until this point, music had been a hobby fueled by cobbling together tracks on his "sixty-buck keyboard, a cheap four-track and a cheap drum machine"{{Citation needed\|date=March 2008}} set-up while still an undergraduate at the University of Illinois. This DIY method of production was never taken seriously, and when childhood plans to become a doctor were shelved, Jones was firmly committed to a career as a chemical engineer. His father was an occasional DJ and eventually became a budding musician. As time went on, Jones discovered what was his innate love and understanding for house music, a sound that had grown throughout the mid-1980s out of Chicago's deep-rooted house music scene. He played the saxophone at school and had a talent for trying to play with a keyboard but remained largely un-interested in what he saw as his father's passion. It was this cut-up and tacky production style of the early house sound that Jones absorbed and translated{{Citation needed\|date=August 2007}} into the ''Underground Goodies'' EP, his first release as Cajmere (the CAJ derived from the artist's initials) <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.deejaybooking.com/greenvelvet\|title=DJ Booking biography\|access-date=March 18, 2008\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220230353/http://www.deejaybooking.com/greenvelvet\|archive-date=February 20, 2007}}</ref>) put out in 1991 on his own recently started Cajual label.<ref name="rough" /> A year later he had his first massive hit as Cajmere with the house tune "Coffee Pot (It's Time for the Percolator)," which was also released on Cajual and distributed by NYC-based Emotive Records. He then teamed up with Chicago-based vocalist ] for "Brighter Days," which entered #2 on the ''Billboard'' ],<ref name="rough" /> a high-impact and mellower house tune that was released on Cajual and distributed by NYC-based Emotive Records.{{citation needed\|date=May 2020}}

			Green Velvet's debut studio album, '']'', was released in 1999.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2000/04/25/hardcore-jollies/\|title=Hardcore Jollies\|work=]\|first=Simon\|last=Reynolds\|date=April 25, 2000\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> In 2000, he released a compilation album, '']''.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.popmatters.com/greenvelvet-st-2495919657.html\|title=Green Velvet: self-titled\|work=]\|first=Dave\|last=Heaton\|date=April 24, 2000\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> He released '']'' in 2001,<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://thestar.ie/preacher-man-interview-with-green-velvet/\|title=Interview With Green Velvet\|work=]\|access-date=September 24, 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925133948/http://thestar.ie/preacher-man-interview-with-green-velvet/\|archive-date=September 25, 2015\|url-status=dead}}</ref> '']'' in 2005,<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.residentadvisor.net/news/6738\|title=Xbox teams up with Green Velvet\|work=]\|first=Nick\|last=Torrens\|date=June 8, 2005\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> and ''Unshakable'' in 2013.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2013/11/green-velvet-unshakable-album-review/\|title=Green Velvet – Unshakable \|work=]\|first=Matt\|last=Medved\|date=November 6, 2013\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.slugmag.com/national-music-reviews/green-velvet-unshakable/\|title=Review: Green Velvet - Unshakable\|work=]\|first=Kamryn\|last=Feigel\|date=December 31, 2013\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref>
	===Green Velvet transformation===
	Interested in making something totally different from his Cajmere moniker and other work, Curtis created Relief as an offshoot to his Cajual records in 1993. The first Relief release was also his first Green Velvet production, 1993's "Velvet Tracks,"<ref name="rough" /> which came from a name given to him by a girlfriend's father, emerged as the flamboyant, neon-haired electro punk, although in interviews he denied being linked to the Punk lifestyle and fashion, as he was more inspired by the likes of ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.trackitdown.net/news/show/100867.html\|title=Interview with Green Velvet\|website=Trackitdown.net\|access-date=}}</ref> and ],<ref name=trustthedj>{{cite web\|url=http://www.trustthedj.com/SKRUFFF/news_article.php?news_id=5931\|title=TrusttheDJ - SKRUFFF NEWS\|date=July 10, 2009\|access-date=December 2, 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710101125/http://www.trustthedj.com/SKRUFFF/news_article.php?news_id=5931\|archive-date=July 10, 2009\|url-status=dead}}</ref> he created mid-1990s hits such as "Preacher Man," on which a ]-type of preacher spoke (the Reverend Trotter,<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/10599-cajmere-green-velvet-interview\|title=An Interview With Cajmere\|work=]\|first=Melissa\|last=Bradshaw\|date=November 7, 2012\|access-date=October 31, 2015\|quote=Green Velvet's 'The Preacher Man', a pumping acid-y techno track which featured Chicago's Reverend Trotter sermonising about young people these days sleeping around, was conceived when Jones got home after a night out and heard Trotter on the radio.}}</ref> not, contrary to popular belief, Reverend Franklin); "Answering Machine," a darkly funny house track consisting of taped messages from an answering machine, including a bad news message from a girlfriend and a noise complaint message from his landlord—all made with Jones's voice; and "Flash," which was a #1 US dance hit in 1995 and was included on many ]-mixed compilation albums. After DJing under both of his now infamous monikers, he released his first album, '']'', with Belgian Music label Music Man in 1999,<ref name="rough" /> which showed Green Velvet's style of house progress into styles similar to ] and ], his spoken-word monologues also took a bizarre turn. In ''Abduction'' he spoke about little green men turning up while washing dishes.{{citation needed\|date=May 2020}}

			In 2014, he teamed up with ] to form the side project Get Real.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2014/12/claude-vonstroke-green-velvet-form-new-side-project-get-real/\|title=Claude VonStroke and Green Velvet form new side project, 'Get Real'\|work=]\|first=Lizzie\|last=Renck\|date=December 2, 2014\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> The duo's debut single, "Mind Yo Bizness" / "Snuffaluffagus", was released in 2016.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2016/01/claude-vonstroke-green-velvet-release-first-music-get-real/\|title=Claude VonStroke and Green Velvet release their first music as Get Real\|work=]\|first=Michael\|last=Sundius\|date=January 27, 2016\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> The duo's second single, "Jolean", was released in 2019.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2019/11/claude-vonstroke-green-velvet-duo-get-real-dole-out-2nd-release-ever-jolean/\|title=Claude VonStroke, Green Velvet duo, Get Real dole out second release ever, 'Jolean'\|work=]\|first=Benjamin\|last=Yi\|date=November 22, 2019\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref>
	===The ''Whatever'' era===
	By the time ''Constant Chaos'' was released, Jones had temporarily halted activity on his labels for almost a year. Still DJing as Cajmere he'd narrowed the Green Velvet persona down to live performances only, taking time out to re-group and work out what to do next. During 2000, Jones was briefly signed to ]' short-lived F-111 imprint, where he released his second compilation album, the self-titled '']'', which contained the double-A-sided single "Flash" backed with "Answering Machine". During this time he gave Velvet a new hairstyle—from spiked, green foam nodules to yellow mohawk. Next, in 2001, he unleashed his second album, the dark '']'', which was a step away from his ]-inspired sound (although ''Sleepwalking'' had a similar style) to a darker, more political ]-esque style. On the album he tackled such issues as racism (highlighted on the song ''When?''), drug use (highlighted on ''Genedefekt'' and ''La La Land''), alienation (highlighted on ''Sleepwalking''), and being told what to wear and do by "the system" (highlighted on the heavily punk-inspired track ''Gat''). The more punk-oriented songs on the album apparently came from hours spent listening to ] bands such as ] and Liaisons Dangereuses, and lots of "underground American industrial stuff." He released the single ''La La Land'' in 2001, originally designed as a wake-up call for clubbers to the dangers of pill-taking it became one of his most popular tunes. This was followed by ''Genedefekt''. His live act had now became more like a rock band also, with the Curtis playing a ], and two other musicians (aptly named Nazuk and Spaceboy) backing him, playing heavily distorted synths. Initially Jones, as both Cajmere and Green Velvet, was receiving more attention in Europe than he did in the USA, playing a ] live session on the ] show and playing a host of festivals.{{citation needed\|date=May 2020}}

			In 2015, he released a collaborative album with ], titled ''Unity''.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.residentadvisor.net/news/28882\|title=Carl Craig and Green Velvet release surprise collaborative LP\|work=]\|first=Andrew\|last=Ryce\|date=March 25, 2015\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref>
	===Recent projects===
	After appearing under a host of different names for his various remixing and side projects, Green Velvet released his third album, '']'', in 2005. This album had a more ]-oriented style to it, but the odd Prince- and Punk-sounding tracks still remained, as Curtis actually got a live guitarist to play on "Come Back" and the closing track "Pin-Up Girl" had a similarity to New York-based Electroclash group ]. After ''Walk In Love'', Green Velvet produced and remixed releases for fellow Relief Records artists and himself, and played a host of DJ session live shows in 2006.{{citation needed\|date=May 2020}}

			==Personal life==
	After staying quiet in the music scene, Green Velvet revealed in 2006 he had become a ] after a serious overdose of a mixture of ], ] and (allegedly) ],<ref name=trustthedj/> and promised to turn his life around after this incident. His latest release, the single "Shake and Pop", is a departure from the recent darker electronica style, as he claims he has found a brighter future since converting. In 2007, he released the online-only track "Love Peace, Not War", a short ditty in response to the United States' war in Iraq.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://inthemix.junkee.com/green-velvet-all-about-the-love/13315\|title=Green Velvet: All about the love\|work=Junkee\|first=Jack\|last=Tregoning\|date=April 21, 2010\|access-date=January 4, 2018}}</ref>
			In the mid 2000s, Green Velvet revealed on ] that he had become a ],<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://xlr8r.com/features/green-velvet-the-percolator/\|title=Green Velvet: The Percolator\|work=]\|first=Stacey\|last=Dugan\|date=February 6, 2007\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> after a serious overdose of a mixture of ], ], and (allegedly) ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://itm.junkee.com/green-velvet-mission-from-god/6248\|title=Green Velvet: Mission from God\|work=]\|first=Chris\|last=Sime\|date=November 8, 2006\|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref>

	In 2014, Green Velvet joined forces with the head of Dirtybird Records, ] (another veteran artist who grew up in the Mid-West), to form a side project known as Get Real. With both having a noticeable impact on both the house and techno scenes, many wondered why this duo didn't happen sooner. In reality, the project was by accident. A recent interview with Claude revealed that the duo met for only their second time during the Winter Music Conference in Miami. There, the two were accidentally scheduled simultaneously and they decided to make the best of the situation. It couldn't have turned out better. Their first release came out as an EP on Claude's label, with the appearance of “Mind Yo Bizness” and “Snuffaluffagus". Claude has stated, "Nobody is trying to steal the spotlight or take over the project which isn’t always the case in a duo. We each represent our style but we make a new style by working together."<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2015/01/claude-vonstroke-green-velvet-real-deal/\|title=Claude VonStroke & Green Velvet are taking Get Real to the next level\|work=Dancing Astronaut\|date=January 12, 2015\|access-date=December 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://mixmag.net/feature/claude-vonstroke-and-the-future-of-dance-music-in-america\|title=Claude VonStroke and the future of dance music in America\|work=]\|date=\|access-date=May 15, 2020}}</ref>

	==Discography==		==Discography==
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	* '']'' (2001) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}		* '']'' (2001) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}
	* '']'' (2005) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}		* '']'' (2005) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}
			* ''Unshakable'' (2013) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}
	* ''Unshakable'' (2013) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://dancingastronaut.com/2013/11/green-velvet-unshakable-album-review/\|title=Green Velvet - Unshakable \|work=Dancing Astronaut\|date=November 6, 2013\|access-date=December 2, 2019}}</ref>
	* ''Unity'' (2015) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with ])}}		* ''Unity'' (2015) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with ])}}

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	* ''Underground Goodies'' (1993) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}		* ''Underground Goodies'' (1993) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}
	* ''Let Me Be'' (1993) {{small\|(as Underground Goodies)}}		* ''Let Me Be'' (1993) {{small\|(as Underground Goodies)}}
			* ''Velvet Tracks'' (1993) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}
	* ''Underground Goodies Vol V'' (1994) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}		* ''Underground Goodies Vol V'' (1994) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}
	* ''Underground Goodies Vol. VI'' (1994) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}		* ''Underground Goodies Vol. VI'' (1994) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}
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	===Singles===		===Singles===
	* "Keep Movin'" (1991) {{small\|(as Cajmere, with Nané)}}		* "Keep Movin'" (1991) {{small\|(as Cajmere, with Nané)}}
	* "Brighter Days" (1992) {{small\|(as Cajmere, with Dajae)}}		* "Brighter Days" (1992) {{small\|(as Cajmere, with ])}}
	* "Chit Chat" (1992) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}		* "Chit Chat" (1992) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}
	* "Percolator" (1992) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}		* "Percolator" (1992) {{small\|(as Cajmere)}}
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	* "Bigger than Prince" (2013) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}		* "Bigger than Prince" (2013) {{small\|(as Green Velvet)}}
	* "Suga" (2015) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with Technasia)}}		* "Suga" (2015) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with Technasia)}}
			* "Mind Yo Bizness" / "Snuffaluffagus" (2016) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with ])}}
	* "Keep Pushin' (Harder)" (2017) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with Riva Starr)}}		* "Keep Pushin' (Harder)" (2017) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with Riva Starr)}}
	* "Fuzion" (2019) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with Layton Giordani)}}<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fuzion-single/1450675105 \|title=Fuzion - Single by Green Velvet & Layton Giordani\|website=]\|access-date=February 6, 2019}}</ref>		* "Jolean" (2019) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with Claude VonStroke)}}
			* "Fuzion" (2019) {{small\|(as Green Velvet, with Layton Giordani)}}<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fuzion-single/1450675105\|title=Fuzion - Single by Green Velvet & Layton Giordani\|website=]\|access-date=February 6, 2019}}</ref>

	==See also==
	* ]
	* ]

	==References==		==References==
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	==External links==		==External links==
	{{Commons category\|~~Cajmere~~}}		{{Commons category\|Curtis Jones}}
	*		*
	* {{Discogs artist\|Curtis Alan Jones\|Curtis Alan Jones}}		* {{Discogs artist\|Curtis Alan Jones\|Curtis Alan Jones}}
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	{{Authority control}}		{{Authority control}}

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Curtis}}
	]		]
	]		]