Jovan Jovanov

Jovan Jovanov known as Jay Jay, is a Macedonian-Canadian songwriter, composer, and producer of pop, R&B, house, hip-hop. He is currently based in Toronto, Ontario and Los Angeles, California.

His songs have represented Macedonia on the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004^[1] and 2009,^[2] and on the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2007. He also arranged Vlatko Ilievski's song for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. ^[3]

Jovanov has won three first prizes on the Macedonian festival MakFest, with his compositions “Magija”, performed by the music group Magija (1998), “Ti me sakash”, performed by Jovan Jovanov and Maja Sazdanovska (2005), and “Ne planiram”, performed by Lambe Alabakovski (2010). He has also won two second prizes on MakFest for the compositions “300 godini”, performed by Adrian Gaxha (2005) and” Bez tebe tivko umiram”, performed by Next time (2008). Moreover, he is the winner of third prizes for the compositions “Da te vidam pak”, performed by Jovan Jovanov (2003), “Se na svoe mesto”, performed by Zoran Stamenkovski (2006) and “Nekade posle 2” performed by Elvir Mekic (2007).^[4]

Jovanov has released over 500 compositions, and has stated that his goal is to popularize his work around the world.^[5]

Early life

Jovanv was born in Skopje on 27 May, 1981. He began his music education when he was six years old. He plays the piano, guitar, and percussion instruments.^[5] At the age of 17 he started working with other artists and opened his own recording studio.

Education

Jovanov finished high school at СУ „Илија Николовски Луј“ - Скопје, graduated from music academy Факултет за музичка уметност - Скопје and is studying at the Los Angeles Film School.

Career

Магија(Magic)

In 1998, Jovanov formed boyband "Magija"(Magic). (1998-2001) in Macedonia. Their songs included "Магија"(Magic), Ди-џеј (DJ), "Светло се Гасне" (light goes out), and "Низ оган да минувам "(tell me to go through fire).

Recording Studio and Label "Jovanov Records"

In 2001, Jovanov opened his own recording studio "Jovanov Records". He has cooperated with many well-known musicians of the Balkan region including Tose Proeski, Emina Jahovic, Lambe Alabakovski, Adrian Gaxha, Slatkaristika, Tony Zen, Elvir Mekic, Bojan Marovic, Slađa Delibašić, Next time, Vlatko Ilievski, and Victoria Loba. In 2007, he opened his own label "Jovanov Records". His company worked with promotion of new artists and their career planning. He became a manager of Elvir Mekic, Slatkaristika, Tony Zen, and Next time.

Artist Career (2004-2009)

Jovanov recorded and released two CDs, "Na moj Nacin" (On May Way), "Into mi trebas" (I need Immediately) and performed in numerous concerts and performances around Macedonia.

Festival Director Makfest (2011-2012)

Jovanov was for two years director of the biggest festival of pop music in Macedonia - "Makfest" held in Stip. Makfest has produced more than 1,000 songs, many of which were hits.

Discography

References