New Language

Jacksons thrive by keeping their cool

By Mikala Reasbeck (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-10 08:02

The Jackson Twinz, pictured here with Tony "Zero" Tompson, were shaking the dance floors of high-end clubs and venues throughout Europe and Asia before setting up shop in Beijing in late 2009. Photos provided to China Daily

An R&B take on Pink Floyd's iconic Another Brick in the Wall? The wildest rendition of Prince's Purple Rain this side of Lake Minnetonka? A medley combining 2Pac and Dr. Dre's California Love, R. Kelly's Ignition: Remix, and Nelly and Kelly Rowland's Dilemma?

Yes, it is possible to bust all these out during one set. And, depending on how the crowd is feeling, it is also possible to throw in some Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, or maybe a stripped-down version of Bob Dylan's Lay, Lady, Lay.

The duo behind this eclectic throw-down is a set of identical twins from Atlanta, Georgia, who started out as gospel soul singers, then trained to be medical assistants before they chose to leave the lab for the stage.

Their faces are nearly identical and they are often in coordinating outfits, but their names and personalities set them apart - sometimes. Scharodrick "Preach" Jackson got his stage name from his original gospel and soul ballads that made him sound like a preacher. Scharod "Danger" Jackson more often came out with original R&B material that made him sound dangerous.

Preach is the businessman carving out harmonies with his five-octave range. Danger is the baritone lead singer, often found flirting between sets. Still, don't be too quick to put them in their boxes: these guys are versatile, often switching roles.

"He's more talkative. I'm laid-back. I'm bigger, taller and I wear two earrings. He only wears one," Danger said when asked how to tell them apart, before quickly adding: "We switch up sometimes, though. We're both basically doing the same things."

Since 1991, the Jackson Twinz have been shaking the dance floors of high-end clubs and venues throughout Europe and Asia before setting up shop in Beijing in late 2009. With a base of 300 to 400 songs to draw from, often hits from days gone by with the Twinz' signature R&B and soul twists, they take what they know and integrate it with what experience has taught them about what is going to get their audience on their feet.

"In the Philippines, they want ballads. Singapore it's usually R&B, soul, rap. People in Hong Kong want pop," Preach said. And what does the Chinese mainland like? "China hasn't been exposed to much R&B and soul," Preach said. "They hear mainstream stuff - maybe James Brown, Lenny Kravitz."

The first song, they say, dictates what's going to happen for the rest of a set. Professionals know that within less than a minute and the Jackson Twinz are nothing if not professional.

"You have to have a business about yourself. We know the shortcuts, we make it look easy," said Preach, admittedly the more businesslike of the twins. "You have to connect. Look at people. If one song doesn't work, try another one."

Performing every night and running a business during the day does not leave much time for what Preach calls "hard-line prep", so their performances to smaller crowds sometimes look like a practice session, albeit a very tight practice session.

The Jackson Twinz are quick to point out, too, that they are only as good as their team. At R Lounge in the Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel, their stellar backup includes Cuban drummer David Smith, Argentine bassist Neo Jofre and long-time partner Tony "Zero" Thompson on guitar.

"They put in a lot of time and effort to make our job so much easier," Danger says. "If you have the heart to play like we do, come on."

Preach compares it to flying a Boeing 747: "You have got almost three pilots up there. Nobody's flying the plane alone."

They are lucky, though: most people are not flying their planes with their twin brother. And most people have not had Michael Jackson accept an invitation to see them perform.

In the early 1990s, the Twinz were performing at a hotel in Munich where Michael Jackson was staying. They sent him an autographed poster with a message about being Jacksons scribbled on it, jokingly. That night, during their set, the twinz looked up and saw the King of Pop standing unnoticed at the back of the club. He tipped his hat to them and left.

Neither of the Twinz is able to string together a full, verbal response to this, opting for an open mouth and wide eyes instead, but Danger comes close.

"Speechless," he said.

China Daily

Preach (left) and Danger Jackson started out as gospel soul singers before training to be medical assistants in their native United States.

(China Daily 05/10/2011)