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SJ (singer)

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SJ
SJ, folk-alternative and pop singer, performing at Open Mike's in Florida in 2018.
SJ, folk-alternative and pop singer, performing at Open Mike's in Florida in 2018.
Background information
Birth nameScott Jablonski
Also known asSJ
Born1977
Cleveland, Ohio, US
OriginMelbourne, Florida
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • musician
  • performing artist
  • attorney
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • acoustic guitar
Years active2009–present
LabelsAcoustic Soul Records
Websitewww.acousticsoulgroup.com

Scott Jablonski (known by his stage name SJ) is an American singer-songwriter, performing artist, and attorney based in South Florida. As a recording artist, SJ has released two studio albums and one live album through his independent record label, Acoustic Soul Records. In 2011, the singer was nominated by Sirius XM's The Coffee House as "Discovery of the Year", and his song "I Like You" appeared on several airplay charts in the US in 2012. He has opened for acts like Ed Sheeran and Pentatonix.

Early life and education

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Jablonski was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from Gannon University in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in political science and foreign language studies. He also played varsity soccer while at the school. In 2004, he earned a master's degree at the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. He also earned a JD degree from the school that year.[1][2][3]

Career

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After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, Jablonski embarked on a career in law. With Ronald A. Brand, he co-authored Forum Non Conveniens: Past, Present and Future which was published by Oxford University Press in 2008. His legal writings have also appeared in other publications like the Journal of International Law and Politics and the University of Miami Inter-American Law Review, among others.[1][2][3]

In 2009, his friends and family heard a demo of a song he had made and urged him to pursue music as a career. He adopted the stage name, "SJ," for that endeavor.[1] In 2010, he founded the Acoustic Soul Group, of which his Acoustic Soul Records is apart.[2] He began releasing songs that year, including "I Like You" which was nominated for a Hollywood Music & Media Award. He was also named a grand finalist in the UK's Festival4TheStars for writing the song.[4] A Spanish version of the song, "Lo Mejor De Mi," won first place in the International Songwriting Competition in the Latin category.[5]

In March 2011, "I Like You" reached the top 10 of FMQB's adult contemporary chart alongside acts like Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, and Train.[6] In May 2011, he released his first commercial studio-recorded EP, Coffee, featuring the songs "I Like You," "Let Me Be," "Coffee," and others.[7] Later in 2011, Sirius XM's The Coffee House station nominated SJ for the "Discovery of the Year" award, and his song, "Coffee," won a Hollywood Music & Media Award.[1][8] In July 2012, it was announced that Taylor Guitars, Sennheiser, Future Sonics, Gator Cases, Hercules Stands, and Elixir Strings had officially endorsed SJ.[9][10]

In August 2012, he released his first full-length studio album entitled Coffee: Strong Brew Edition. The album featured all the songs from the 2011 EP, Coffee, with 7 new tracks. Other South Florida artists like Randy Singer, Erica Sommer, and Joshua Stedman were featured on some songs. The album was recorded at Outer Reach Music Studios in Miami.[1][11] SJ also released an accompanying live album and DVD entitled Coffee: Unfiltered. The song, "Let Me Be," spent over 13 weeks on Mediabase's adult contemporary charts, peaking at number 32.[1][12]

In September 2012, he was one of 25 finalists nominated for the American Songwriter Coffeehouse Tour competition.[13] In October and November, SJ opened for Pentatonix on 6 dates, concluding his nationwide "Coffee Tour."[1][12] Later in November, he went on a short Midwest tour.[14] Throughout 2011 and 2012, SJ's songs were played on over 50 adult album alternative and americana radio stations across the country.[1][10]

In May 2013, SJ opened for Ed Sheeran at SunFest in West Palm Beach, Florida.[15] In September of that year, he opened for Robin Zander of Cheap Trick.[16] In 2014, SJ was named one of 8 semi-finalists in 3 categories for the International Songwriting Competition.[17] Later in 2014, he launched the Covers & Others video series in collaboration with Day's Edge Productions. The goal of the series was to bring awareness to organizations with social, scientific, or environmental initiatives by playing covers of songs over videos related to their work.[18][19]

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums with selected details
Title Details
Coffee: Strong Brew Edition
  • Released: August 14, 2012 (US)
  • Label: Acoustic Soul Records
  • Formats: CD, Digital download

EPs

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List of EPs with selected album details
Title Details
Coffee
  • Released: May 11, 2011 (US)
  • Label: Acoustic Soul Records
  • Formats: CD, Digital download
Nikki[20]
  • Released: December 1, 2018 (US)
  • Label: Acoustic Soul Records
  • Formats: CD, Digital download

Live albums

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List of live albums with selected details
Title Details
Coffee: Unfiltered
  • Released: August 14, 2012 (US)
  • Label: Acoustic Soul Records
  • Formats: CD, DVD, Digital download

Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
ACQB
[5] 		US
Mediabase A/C
[1]
"I Like You" 2011 10 — Coffee: Strong Brew Edition
"Let Me Be" 2012 — 32
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Recognition and awards

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result
2010 Hollywood Music & Media Awards Best Folk/Acoustic Song by Emerging Artist "I Like You" Nominated
2011 "Coffee" Won
Festival4TheStars Best Singer-Songwriter SJ and "I Like You" Finalist
Goodnight Kiss Song Competition Best Song "I Like You" Sixth
International Songwriting Competition Latin Song "Lo Mejor De Mi" Won
UK Songwriting Competition Acoustic Folk "Coffee" Semi-finalist
Singer-Songwriter "I Am" Finalist
Sirius XM's The Coffee House "Discovery of the Year" Singer-Songwriter "I Like You" Nominated
Music City Awards Rock "I Am" Finalist
2012 International Acoustic Music Awards Adult Album Alternative Finalist
USA Songwriting Competition Pop Runner-up
Unsigned Only Awards Adult Album Alternative Semi-finalist
Folk/Singer-Songwriter "Breathe" Semi-finalist
"I Like You" Finalist
Honorable mention
Adult Contemporary Semi-finalist
Jango Radio Airplay Holiday Song Contest Holiday Song "One Christmas Wish" Won
American Songwriter Coffee Shop Tour Competition Singer-Songwriter SJ Finalist
2013 International Songwriting Competition Folk Singer-Songwriter "Green as Snow" Semi-finalist
Adult Album Alternative "It's Alright" Semi-finalist
Performance "Let Me Be" Semi-finalist

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Taylor, John (February 26, 2013). "Music Review: SJ – Coffee: Strong Brew Edition". BlogCritics. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Attorney and Singer-Songwriter Scott R. Jablonski—a Pitt Law Alumnus—Lectures on Lawyers, Music, and Money at Noon Sept. 27". University of Pittsburgh. September 20, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  3. ^ Frieman, Richie (2011). "SJ". PensEyeView. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "SJ Scores 1st Place (Latin) in the International Songwriting Competition of 2010". The Noise Group. December 19, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  5. ^ "SJ's "I Like You" Blazes Into Adult Contemporary Top 10 on FMQB.com". The Noise Group. March 30, 2011. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  6. ^ Chase, Ted (September 22, 2011). "SJ : Coffee". QRO. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  7. ^ Folkman, Martin (March 2, 2012). "Discover Artists Who Joined The 11th IMAs: SJ". Independent Music Awards. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  8. ^ "Breakout Acoustic Artist SJ Endorsed by Major Guitar and Music Companies". Yahoo! Finance. July 26, 2012. Archived from the original on April 24, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "SJ". American Songspace. Archived from the original on April 2, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  10. ^ "SJ – Coffee: Strong Brew Edition". New Releases Now. August 14, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  11. ^ a b "SJ Opens for NBC's "The Sing Off" Champions Pentatonix". MarketWired. October 24, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  12. ^ Ritchie, John (September 10, 2012). "The American Songwriter Coffeehouse Tour: 25 Finalists". American Songwriter. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  13. ^ "SJ TO TOUR MIDWEST STARTING NOV 7 + VIDEOS". Skope. October 25, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  14. ^ "SunFest 2013 Friday Night: Local Acoustic Artist SJ Won Hearts". SunFest. May 4, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  15. ^ "Weekly-Weekend-What-To-Do (09.06–8.13)". ILoveTheBurg.com. September 6, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  16. ^ "Acoustic Singer/Songwriter SJ Earns Ranking In The 2013 International Songwriting Competition Semi-Finals". Top 40 Charts. February 26, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  17. ^ "Acoustic Singer-Songwriter SJ Launches New "Covers & Others" Video Series". Music Industry News Network. May 23, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  18. ^ "Acoustic Singer-Songwriter SJ Releases New Video That Shows A Century of Climate Change". PRWeb. October 1, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  19. ^ Desena-McFarland, Jamie (November 21, 2018). "Award-winning artist to release songs at charity concert". Hometown News Brevard. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
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