J.C. (June) Lodge
@ the Indigo 02
23 September 2011

Click an image to enlarge.

Biography

British born to a Jamaican father and English mother, J.C. Lodge was taken to Jamaica as a child. There, the Beatles’ fan soon became immersed in R&B and reggae, and sang along to everything she heard.

She was encouraged to perform in her high school concerts by classmates, and enjoyed doing so, but felt her career lay either in art or drama. A relationship with Errol O’Meally toward the end of high school, however, led her further along the music path.

O’Meally was a budding songwriter, and used her voice to present some of his material to Joe Gibbs’ Recording Studio. Both the songs and the singer were well received, and Lodge. was asked to cover “Someone Loves You, Honey” in 1980. The reggae-country and western tune topped the Jamaican charts worldwide, and earned the singer gold and platinum discs in the Netherlands. Such success convinced Lodge that music should be her main direction.

Nine albums followed, consisting mostly of reggae, but some with R&B and pop material, too, usually written by O’Meally or J.C. Lodge’s Producers like Joe Gibbs, Willie Lindo, Gussie Clarke, Errol O’Meally and Neal Fraser (a.k.a. Mad Professor), created product which garnered for Lodge several hits and prestigious awards across the world.

“Telephone Love,” recorded for Clarke in 1988, was the first dance hall reggae track to cross over in the R&B and hip-hop markets in the United States, topping the urban charts in New York and other cities. This led to an album deal with hip-hop label Tommy Boy Records and the Tropic of love album featuring the hit R&B single “Home is where the hurt is”.

With O’Meally’s influence and the creative opportunities of so many albums, Lodge’s songwriting skill was unearthed and polished. Several Jamaican artistes have sung her original compositions, and she continues to work toward having overseas artistes do likewise. Her varied influences are expressed in both her writing and performances, and she is comfortable in several genres, whether it be reggae, jazz, pop, R&B or country and western.

The birth of her daughter Gia in 1994 has inspired 3 children’s educational albums. The popularity of these drew the interest of Jamaica’s national television station – TVJ, who asked Lodge and her manager/producer/husband – Errol O’Meally to produce a 13 part children’s television series entitled ‘Sing ‘n Learn’.

Through her singing, writing, acting and artwork, J.C Lodge. shares herself with her many fans, and continues to provide pleasing and positive entertainment wherever she goes.

Throughout the 90’s JC Lodge consolidated her presence internationally, as far afield as Japan where she has toured numerous times enjoying great popularity. Presently she has relocated to the UK since late 2001 to further her career in Europe and has just released her debut album for top UK reggae label Jetstar Records, “Reggae Country” with the lead single being “single and female”.

The turnaround of 2004-2005 say the follow-up release from Jetstar “Reggae Country 2” featuring more covers of firm contemporary country favourites, with a reggae flavour, plus some of Lodge’s originals in the same vein.

For 2007 Lodge’s long-awaited new album of originals, entitled “Passionfruit”, will feature bang up-to-date rhythms, underpinned by dancehall, but with a touch of Brazilian, Asian and hip-hop influences blended to enhance her crossover vocals.