George Pajon

George Pajon Jr.
Pajon in 2016
Background information
Birth name	George Pajon Jr.
Born	(1969-04-10) April 10, 1969 (age 55) Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Blues jazz jazz fusion hip hop R&B electro hip house rock funk
Occupations	Msician songwriter composer record producer
Instruments	Guitar sitar
Years active	1986–present

George Pajon Jr. (born April 10, 1969) is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer.

Early life

George Pajon Jr. "attended private St. Matthias Elementary School, a Catholic K-8 school, in Huntington Park. Growing up in conservative Downey, Pajon was 9 when he picked up his first guitar. He played his second concert in the school's cafeteria. He worked hard to collect enough credits so that by his senior year he only needed to attend half a day's worth of classes, leaving more time for his guitar. Pajon graduated from Downey High School in 1987."^[1]

Career

George was one of The Black Eyed Peas' key performing and recording musicians, having written, produced, and co-written many of the group's most popular songs.^[2]

He has recording credits as a songwriter, producer or musician with Fergie, Carlos Santana, Sting, Ricky Martin, will.i.am, Macy Gray, Candy Dulfer, Los Lonely Boys, Cheryl Cole, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Kelis, Richard Cheese, Nas, Damian Marley, Sérgio Mendes, J.Period, John Legend, Jully Black, Venus Brown, M. Pokora, Klaus Badelt, Kidz Bop Kids, Kim Dotcom, Tre Hardson and various other artists.^[3][4]

Pajon has contributed to movie soundtracks such as The Best Man Holiday, Poseidon, Scary Movie, Made, Barbershop 2: Back in Business, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, Our Family Wedding, Knight and Day and Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle among others in either a songwriter, record producer or musician role.^[5] Pajon has contributed to television soundtracks such as Live from Studio Five, The Voice of the Philippines, The Voice UK, The X Factor and Dancing with the Stars among others.^[6] He co-wrote the theme and title credit to Samurai Jack, the animated cartoon series.^[7]

In 2012, it was reported that Pajon had sued Sean Larkin, the Black Eyed Peas' former manager, for breach of contract regarding Larkin's failure to appropriate income taxes.^[8][9]

In 2015, Pajon joined Nick Gaffaney's duo act Cairo Knife Fight.^{[10][11][12][13]}

Personal life

In 2009, The Downey Patriot writes: "We asked George Pajon Jr. to provide tips for aspiring musicians. His advice: 'There are 20,000 guitar players in Downey alone. What makes you special from the guy next to you? Passion, determination is what sets you aside. Set goals, never go backwards. When you do, stop yourself and reevaluate. I frustrated the hell out of every band I was in. I wasn't going to flounder. Becoming content is the enemy of musicians. You'll never find your true voice if you don't challenge yourself'."^[14]

In 2009, the wedding of George Pajon and Naomi Medina^[15] took place in Mexico's Xcaret and was televised on WE Tv's Platinum Weddings.^[16]

In 2012, The San Jose Mercury News finds Pajon making time for the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus: "Black Eyed Peas guitarist George Pajon Jr. also volunteered his services, flying up from L.A. to work with Solomon and the other young musicians, who seemed a bit awestruck from being able to work with a huge star like Pajon." Pajon said he, in turn, was blown away by the collaboration with young talented musicians. "Overwhelming," he said. "So much musical knowledge, at such a young age. It's really inspiring to me. We've been involved with the bus guys since 1999, and they've been really inspiring to us over the years," Pajon said. "This was a welcome break for me. I could use a dose of inspiration, and it's been absolutely great to see young creative minds at work here."^[17]

Discography

Solo releases

In January 2004, Pajon released his first solo effort entitled Fried Plantains on Kulafa Recordings.^[18][19][20] "The new debut release by guitarist George Pajon Jr., “Fried Plaintains,” deserves a key spot among the great grooves on the funk-jazz shelf."^[21] "George’s musical dexterity comes through more than ever in his current solo project, Fried Plantains, which fuses the worlds of jazz, hip-hop, blues and rock."^[22]

In 2007 Pajon released the album entitled The Band Behind the Front with Bucky Jonson on the BBE label.^[23]

In 2012 Pajon teamed up with The Voice's season 3 contestant Diego Val^[24] to release Sons of Mariel.^[25][26]

In 2012, The Houston Press wrote "Original composer George Pajon Jr. - "Si Se Puede," the Spanish version of "Yes We Can," - the unstoppable hit inspired by President-elect Barack Obama's eponymous 2007 speech."^[27]

Awards

Emmy Award

Pajon co-wrote the Emmy Award-winning 2008 Barack Obama campaign song "Yes We Can".^[28]

Grammy Awards

Pajon co-wrote the #1 hit song "Where Is The Love?" which received two Grammy nominations; Record of the Year and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 46th Grammy Awards.^[29][30]

Pajon won the Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group Grammy for co-writing the song "Let's Get It Started" at the 47th Grammy Awards.

Pajon won the Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group Grammy for co-writing the song "Don't Phunk with My Heart" at the 48th Grammy Awards.

Pajon won the Best Pop Vocal Album Grammy at the 52nd Grammy Awards for co-writing the songs "Out Of My Head", "Now Generation", "Rockin to the Beat" and "Back at 45", from the album The E.N.D.

BMI Awards

Pajon won two 2006 BMI Pop Music Awards for co-writing the songs "Don't Phunk With My Heart" and "Let's Get It Started".^[31]

Pajon won a 2006 BMI London Pop Music Award for co-writing the song "Don't Phunk With My Heart."^[32]

Pajon won a 2005 BMI Pop Music Award for co-writing the song "Where Is The Love."^[33]

Endorsements

• D'Addario Strings.^[34]
• Grosh Guitars.^[35]
• Guyatone Pedals.^[36]
• Mesa Boogie.^[37]
• Yamaha Guitars.^[38]

References

1. Eric Pierce (29 May 2009). "George Pajon Jr. Is Only Moving Forward". The Downey Patriot. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
2. Press Release (December 2006). "Black Eyed Peas' Six-Stringer Picks Up A Six-Pack Of Pacificas" (PDF). .adesignsaudio.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
3. "Music Database". Discogs. Retrieved 20 Nov 2014.
4. "All Music". allmusic.com. Retrieved 30 Nov 2014.
5. "George Pajon Jr". IMDb. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
6. "George Pajon Jr". IMDb. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
7. "George Pajon Jr". IMDb. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
8. Ryan, Harriet (14 April 2012). "Musicians' money manager faces scrutiny". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
9. Cohen, Melanie (24 December 2008). "The Broke and the Beautiful: Boom Boom Pow Edition". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
10. Live4Ever (16 April 2015). "Unrelenting Rock 'n' Roll Passion: Cairo Knife Fight @ SXSW 2015". Live4Ever.uk.com. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
11. Press Release (30 April 2015). "Cairo Knife Fight Announce Three Album Release Show". UnderTheRadar.co.nz. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
12. David James Young (4 April 2015). "Karnivool, Cairo Knife Fight - Sydney Metro Theatre". MusicFeeds.com.au. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
13. Lydia Jenkin (29 May 2015). "Cairo Knife Fight: Just us two". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
14. Eric Pierce (29 May 2009). "George Pajon Jr. is only moving forward". The Downey Patriot. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
15. WeTv (2009). "Platinum Weddings". YouTube. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
16. Lisa Horowitz (18 Nov 2009). "Lining Up for Midseason Returns". The WRAP Covering Hollywood. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
17. May, Patrick (8 September 2012). "Young Peninsula musicians take a ride on the John Lennon Bus". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
18. "Fried Plantains". MTV.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
19. "Fried Plantains". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
20. "Fried Plantains". Amazon. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
21. Pronko, Michael (20 January 2004). "George Pajon Jr.: "Fried Plaintains"". The Japan Times. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
22. Wilkins Jr., Woodrow (17 February 2004). "Fried Plantains by George Pajon". Jazz Review. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
23. "The Band Behind The Front". bbemusic.com. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
24. Puga, Romina (23 October 2012). "The Voice's Diego Val: From Reggae-Lovin' Surfer to TV Star". abcnews.com. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
25. Parker, Lindsey (13 November 2012). "'Voice' Semifinalist Diego Val Reemerges With Sons Of Mariel". yahoo.com. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
26. Maria Camila Bernal (8 April 2013). "Diego Val From The Voice and George Pajon From The Black Eyed Peas Debut Their Band, Sons of Mariel, in Miami". NBC Miami. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
27. Ernest Balteldes (20 April 2012). "Andy Vargas, David de la Garza". Housten Press. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
28. ""Yes We Can Song" Video Awarded Emmy(R) for New Approaches in Daytime Entertainment". Reuters.com. 16 June 2008. Archived from the original on 8 March 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
29. "The Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love?". discogs.com. 2003. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
30. "EMI Music Publishing Wins Big At The Grammys! - EMI Music Publishing". Emimusicpub.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
31. "BMI Pop Award Song List". BMI.com. 16 May 2006. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
32. "Kinks Frontman Ray Davies Takes Top Honor at BMI London Awards". BMI.com. 3 October 2006. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
33. "3 Doors Down, Lil Jon, EMI Top BMI Pop Awards; Paul Simon Honored as Icon". BMI.com. 17 May 2005. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
34. D'Addario (2000). "D'Addario Strings Endorsement". daddario.com. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
35. Grosh Guitars. "Grosh Guitars Endorsement". groshguitars.com. Archived from the original on 30 October 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
36. D'Addario. "Guyaton Pedals Endorsement". guyatone.com. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
37. Mesa Boogie (2000). "Mesa Boogie Endorsement". mesaboogie.com. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
38. Yamaha (2000). "Yamaha Guitars Endorsement". yahama.com. Retrieved 24 November 2014.

External links

• Artist Website
• Kairo Knife Fight @ King Size Soundlabs
• Evolving; Musical Jam
• Sons of Mariel Project
• Grosh Guitar Endorsement Archived 2014-10-30 at the Wayback Machine
• George Pajon, Slash & Fergie
• George Pajon Interview - NAMM Oral History Library (2016)