Jus-Ed

Jus-Ed

Jus-Ed is the performance name of Edward McKeithen, a DJ and house music producer from Connecticut. He works in deep house and related house styles, and his sets are described through a focus on smooth, underground dance music.

Career

He begins his professional DJ career in 1982, playing freestyle, house and R&B, before retiring in 1985. He returns in 2001 after a brief break and becomes active again on the underground house scene. His work is closely associated with Connecticut and New York, but he also plays in Miami, Germany, London, Russia and other locations.

McKeithen holds a weekly residency at Diesel Lounge in New Haven, Connecticut, and a bi-monthly residency at Halcyon in Brooklyn, New York, with the “Underground Radio” show. That programme also appears on groovetech.com. The show features guest mixes and appearances from DJs and producers including DJ Romain, DJ Dimension, William Rosario of MegaMen Sounds, Lord G, Henry Maldonado, Kevin James of M-Break Recordings and DJ Afro of Los Amigos Invisibles.

Underground Quality and radio work

After returning to music in 2001, he teams up with DJ Vic Money of 98.7 Kiss FM to create Underground Quality, a name used for parties held at venues including Ludlow Bar and Smithfields on New York’s Lower East Side. He also appears as a guest at the long-running Together in Spirit event and at an M-Break Recordings label showcase.

His radio work includes appearances on WNHU 88.7 FM in Connecticut, Downshift Radio on the “Deep soulful house +” show, and WHCR 90.3 FM in New York. His Underground Quality Radio Show on myhouseyourhouse.net builds a following among producers and record collectors.

Musical background and influences

McKeithen’s musical background begins early. At the age of six, he backs up his grandparents in the jazz duo Tomi & Eddy while touring across the United States as a drummer. He later studies percussion instruments at the University of Bridgeport at age 10. His influences include James Brown and Buddy Rich, followed by artists such as Chicago, 3 Dog Night and Luther Vandross. In the early 1980s he also listens closely to WBLS and Frankie Crocker.

Performance and recognition

He continues to tour clubs in Europe, including Fabric in London, Berghain/Panorama Bar and Tape Club in Berlin, and Rex Club in Paris. He also presents a podcast for Resident Advisor and receives coverage in publications including Groove, Debug and Faith. His work earns him a place in Resident Advisor’s end-of-year readers’ top 100 DJs list.