What Happened? Jade

Jade

The group Jade was originally composed of Joi Marshall and two other members named Angie and Debbie and, as such, was first known as JAD. However, when Angie and Debbie were dropped from the group, Tonya Kelly and Di Reed were signed on by producer Vassal Benford, and the group's name was extended to Jade. Tonya grew up in Chicago listening to jazz vocalists such as Sarah Vaughan and Nat King Cole. Joi was also from the Windy City but was raised on Motown, especially Diana Ross. Di grew up in Houston singing gospel anywhere she could.

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 the soundtrack, cracking the Top 10 of the R&B charts and reaching #16 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It paved the way for their best known single "Don't Walk Away," which climbed to #2 on the R&B chart and was certified gold by the RIAA in 1993. The single would go on to sell 1.5 million copies worldwide. Subsequent singles "Looking for Mr. Do Right" and "One Woman" helped to push their debut album Jade to the Max to platinum-selling status, sparking a lengthy tour and spots on The Tonight Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, and the U.K.'s Top of the Pops.

Jade also performed on BET's Listening Party Live. The session was recorded and released as a CD in 1993. Jade was the only group to have a BET Listening Party album released.

In 1994 the band appeared in the movie The Inkwell, and released their second studio album Mind, Body & Song, upon which they served as co-writers and co-producers. Singles "5-4-3-2 (Yo! Time Is Up)" and "Every Day of the Week" propelled the album to gold status. The group disbanded thereafter, briefly reuniting in 1997 to contribute the track "Keep on Risin" to the soundtrack for the film The Sixth Man.

Jade also appeared on Beverly Hills, 90210 in the episode "You've Got To Have Heart," which aired on February 8, 1995. During their appearance, they performed "Every Day of the Week" produced by Robert Jerald (Rob Jay) of N'Spyre Music. The song also appeared on the Beverly Hills, 90210: The College Years soundtrack.

The song "5-4-3-2 (Yo! Time Is Up)" was used as part of the soundtrack for the New York Undercover episode "Eyewitness Blues."

 

Jade has not released any albums since 1994. Former member Joi Marshall wrote the book Answers to the 20 Most Asked Questions about the Music Business in 2004.  She continues to sing as an independent gospel artist and released an album, Testimony and Praise, on September 25, 2007.

Rod Stewart selected Di Reed to sing backup for his 2008 world tour.