About Me: Well hello!!! My real name is Fred, but I go by DJ Jazz_Kid. I’m from the Lake of Salt (aka Salt Lake City, Utah). My stage name comes from my love of jazz music. I originally wanted to post jazz albums only on my vinyl IG page, but I decided to add R&B in 2019.
Favorite genres: R&B and Jazz are the foundation from which I was born and raised on. My parents listened to nothing but those genres in my childhood and it’s followed me all my life. I’ve also become eclectic with Pop and Rock over time. In recent times, I’ve unlocked a door to a Brazilian tapestry for which I’ve never known or explored. I have my extended family and community in Brazil to thank for that.
Favorite musicians: Hard for me to choose just one, but… I’ll go with my go-to, which are producers James Harris III & Terry Stephen Lewis (aka Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis). They have been a huge part of my love for music since I was a kid in the 1980s. I still play all of their albums like they’re brand new to this day.
Q&A:
When and how did your vinyl collecting journey begin?
It started when I began working at the tender age of 13 in 1995. I got tired of borrowing my parents’ cassettes and records, so I started mowing lawns. The very first album that started my entire library of albums (with my own money) was Cherrelle’s “Fragile”. It’s still in my collection to this day.
How did collecting in the 90s & early 2000s differ from how people collect today?
For starters, there was no internet or social media. I grew up watching Soul Train and American Bandstand as a kid. In my teens, it was MTV Jamz and a digital music service provided by a cable company called DMX – Digital Music Xpress. My music consumption was basically me going to a brick and mortar record store and buying albums that were relatively cheap at the time ($5-$10 on average). I definitely did not predict the resurgence of record collecting 20 years later, let alone 30.
What record feels like it was made just for you?
Cherrelle’s “Affair” from 1988. When I hear it, it perfectly describes my feelings regarding the laws of attraction. I resonate with the sassy attitude, softness, and compassion displayed throughout the album all too well. Just imagine me doing the running man to this as a kid in 1988.. Priceless! 
What’s the rarest record in your collection and how did you find it?
In my 30 years of collecting, I have many “rare” albums. But keep in mind, those “rare” albums were extremely easy to find when I started collecting. It only became rare as time passed. What “grails” are to new record collectors are regular albums to me.
With that being said, there are two albums I never thought I would have acquired until I did recently in 2025. Firstly, Brazilian Soul by Gerson “King” Combo (1970), which I found upon returning home from my third trip to Brazil. I cried when I heard it because it perfectly represents Black history and how music was evolving in the early 1970s.
Secondly, I Need You by Netwerk (1984). I got into this while I was going through the rabbit hole of Johnny Kemp’s discography. There were only 200 LPs released in the Netherlands due to their financial problems with Salsoul Records at that time, so the album was pulled almost immediately. I’m beyond blessed to have 1 out of 200.
How do you organize and care for such a large collection, and how do you decide which records to let go?
I alphabetize my albums according to genre: R&B, Jazz, soundtracks, Brazilian, then everything else is combined (pop, rock, etc.). I’ve let some go recently because I used to carry a lot of duplicates. I don’t need two of everything anymore, so I’ve been giving them away. Even some “rare” albums because, for me, it’s important to be the change I want to see in the world. I see too many record collectors buy records for clout, but never give any away for others to enjoy and truly appreciate them. It makes me feel good to give albums to those who actually appreciate them.
When you DJ, do you plan your sets ahead of time or let the records guide you in the moment? What’s a record you play that never fails to move a room?
I do both: plan ahead of time, and/or what’s making me feel a certain type of way in the moment. A few records that always guarantee a move on the groove or the bob of the head:
“Meet the Man” by Dayton.
“The Finest” by The S.O.S. Band.
“The New Style” by Jam & Lewis.
“The Glow of Love” by Change ft. Luther Vandross.
What mistakes did you make early on as a DJ that you’d never make today?
Not giving myself grace, confidence, and time to appreciate the craft and live in the moment. The very beginning of DJ’ing was more of me pleasing a crowd. There is still some of that today, but the difference is that I’ve become more confident that what I curate and bring to the table is worthy of being listened to. While I’ve been open to taking requests as a courtesy to the public, I’ve been known to remind people that “this ain’t your Spotify wrapped, and I ain’t your jukebox”. Trust me to curate a vibe of sounds that you may or may not know. With records, it’s not just a button you push to switch a song in 30 seconds, it’s a whole other experience.
What do you think separates music that lasts 30–40 years from music that’s only hot for a moment?
Musicianship: playing instruments, creating melodies, and the art of storytelling. All these things matter. There is some music now that carries some of these elements, but it’s quality over quantity for me.
What advice would you give to fellow collectors or aspiring DJs who want to build something meaningful?
Mean it from your heart. Go with the intent of projecting the passion you have for music, to whomever will listen. Love what you listen to and let the music marinate within. If you do it for any other reason than what I’ve mentioned, people will know it and sense it.
***Hope you enjoyed reading these gems from the record maestro, DJ Jazz Kid! To see more his library of records every week, follow him on IG @jazz_kid. If you’d like to be featured next, DM @soultaurean on IG!
