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Legendary house producer Boyd Jarvis has died aged 59

Tributes have been paid to the influential musician and producer who worked with recordings by Herbie Hancock, Madonna, Chaka Khan and more...

Eoin Murray
Monday, February 19, 2018 - 12:45

Pioneering musician and producer Boyd Jarvis has died aged 59. He had been battling with cancer since 2016.

Best known for having co-writing and producing the 1983 hit ‘The Music Got Me’ with Jason Smith under the Visual alias, Jarvis was a hugely influential figure in house music’s early days. The New Jersey-based artist would go on to collaborate with and remix work by legendary artists including Herbie Hancock, Madonna, Chaka Khan and Prince. Later, he would go on to work with innovative figures in house music including, Joe Claussell, Louie Vega and Dave Morales.

He is often cited for his influence on garage’s evolution as well as house music. Others would knew him through his regular Saturday night show on New York radio station WBLS, which he co-hosted with frequent collaboration and ‘The Music Got Me’ co-producer Timmy Regisford.

A GoFundMe page had been set up in 2016 to help cover Jarvis’ medical costs. In October 2016 a fundraising event/musical tribute to Boyd Jarvis was held in New York with performances and sets from Timmy Regisford, Merlin Bobb, Francois K, Joe Claussell, Kevin Hedge and Eli Escobar and hosted by Barbara Tucker. 

Tributes from throughout the dance music community have been paid to the hugely influential figure over Twitter...