From The Chris Jasper Family: Chris Jasper, renowned singer–songwriter and producer known for his pivotal role in shaping the sound of The Isley Brothers and Isley-Jasper-Isley, and over three decades as a distinguished solo artist, passed away on February 23 at the age of 73 following a cancer diagnosis in December, 2024.
Born on December 30, 1951, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Chris was a classically trained musician and composer. Chris’s musical journey began at the age of seven when he started studying classical piano. He would later study music composition at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City and earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts in music composition with esteemed jazz pianist and composer Billy Taylor. Chris’s classical training laid the foundation for his powerful music that blended his classical training with R&B, funk, and soul.
In 1973, Chris, alongside Ernie and Marvin Isley, transformed The Isley Brothers from a vocal trio into a self-contained six member R&B/Funk group. His songwriting talent and expertise on keyboards and synthesizers became the cornerstone of the group’s signature sound. Chris was instrumental in writing, arranging, and producing numerous hits, including classics like “For the Love of You,” “Between the Sheets,” and “Fight the Power.”
In 1984, Chris formed Isley-Jasper-Isley with the younger band members Ernie and Marvin. The trio achieved international recognition with chart-topping hits like “Caravan of Love” in 1985, its message of peace and love resonating around the world and later covered by various artists.
Chris embarked on his solo career in 1987 and founded Gold City Records, where he released seventeen R&B albums, including four gospel albums. His solo debut featured the hit “Superbad,” which advocated for the importance of education, a theme he was passionate about throughout his career.
Chris continued to write, record, and perform all the music on his solo albums and produce artists for his Gold City label, including Liz Hogue, Out Front, and Brothaz By Choice. In 2015, in conjunction with Sony Music, Jasper released the Essential Chris Jasper, which encompasses all of the tracks that Jasper sang lead on during the Isley-Jasper-Isley years and his solo career at CBS/Sony Music.
In 2016, Chris released, “Share With Me,” with a cover of the Billy Preston hit, “You Are So Beautiful,” and a track called “America,” a tribute to the nation and a call to come together. In April 2018, Chris pre-released a double-A single, “The Love That You Give/It’s a Miracle,” from his 15th solo CD, Dance With You. In 2019, Chris released a “covers” album entitled “For The Love Of You,” which included versions of some of the songs Chris wrote while with The Isley Brothers, including the title track, as well as some well-known R&B and pop classics, including renditions of Sam Cooke’s “Nothing Can Change This Love,” Marvin Gaye’s “God Is Love,” and Van Morrison’s “Have I Told You Lately.”
Chris’s contributions to music have been widely recognized. He has received numerous gold and platinum albums and music industry awards. In 1992, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. In 2016, Jasper was awarded the National R&B Society Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2020, Jasper was awarded the Soultracks Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2022, Chris was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
His innovative work has influenced generations of musicians, with his compositions being sampled and covered extensively by countless recording artists including Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Queen Latifah, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Fantasia, Will Smith, and Jaheim.
Beyond his musical achievements, Chris was a dedicated and loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Margie Jasper, a New York-based attorney and author, and his three sons Michael, Nicholas, and Christopher. He will be deeply missed and his legacy will live on as an inspiration for generations.
Sincerely,
His Loving Family