After an aspiring DJ named Danny Krivit met James Brown, the young Krivit's vinyl hobby evolved into a full-blown profession. Raised in 1960s Greenwich Village by a jazz-singer mother and a father whose music experience stretched from managing Chet Baker to owning the Ninth Circle disco club, Krivit was no stranger to celebrities.
Though some might cry nepotism, Krivit proved himself a success beyond his father's clubs.
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Before he met Brown, he'd already been introduced to Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and John Lennon at his father's club. But the meeting with Brown was different. Krivit had been practicing DJ'ing and had built himself a healthy vinyl collection when the Godfather of Soul offered him promo copies of soul staples "Think" and "Get on the Good Foot," by Lyn Collins. These tracks spurred Krivit to pursue DJ'ing full time, while his youthful immersion in music inspired him to explore sounds of disco, funk, soul, and jazz.
The timing of his meeting with Brown suited his musical aspirations. He soon began DJ'ing and producing music for his father's disco club before becoming the sole DJ at One, a second club his father opened in New York in 1975. Though some might cry nepotism, Krivit proved himself a success beyond his father's clubs, earning residencies at some of New York's hottest venues, such as Roxy, which saw him play alongside greats like Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa.
Krivit and Brown would come into contact again in the '80s, when the two collaborated in the studio to work on landmark tracks such as "Soul Power," "Give It Up and Turn It Loose," and "Funky Drummer." With those credits under his belt, Krivit powered into the '90s as one of New York's legendary DJs. After taking over the Ninth Circle from his father, Krivit continued to play at clubs around town before cofounding the Body & Soul events alongside longtime friends and collaborators François K and Joe Claussell.
Krivit is now celebrated as a founding New York DJ with four decades of experience and credentials that go as deep as his vinyl collection. But he hasn't stopped there. He continues to DJ at Body & Soul events as well as travel outside NYC; he'll perform at the Electric Pickle this Saturday.
Though the glory days of James Brown funk may be gone, it's nice to know there are folks out there still carrying the torch. Watch it burn while you can.
Danny Krivit 10 p.m. Saturday, January 9, at the Electric Pickle, 2826 N. Miami Ave., Miami; 305-456-5613; electricpicklemiami.com. Tickets cost $10 to $15 via residentadvisor.net.