Chris Jasper, a member of the famed music group The Isley Brothers, has died at age 73.
Michael Jasper, Chris’ son, confirmed the news Monday on behalf of their family in a statement on Facebook, which noted that Chris was diagnosed with cancer two months earlier.
Chris was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and began studying classical piano when he was 7 years old. He later studied music composition at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City.
In 1973, Chris joined The Isley Brothers, formed by Rudolph Isley, Ronald Isley and O’Kelly Isley. His family lived in the same Cincinnati apartment complex as the Isleys, and he later became an in-law when his older sister, Elaine, married Rudolph.
Chris, alongside younger Isley brothers Ernie and Marvin, who also joined the group in 1973, “transformed The Isley Brothers from a vocal trio into a self-contained six member R&B/Funk group,” Chris’ family said in their statement.
“His songwriting talent and expertise on keyboards and synthesizers became the cornerstone of the group’s signature sound,” the statement added, crediting Chris for his involvement in the group’s classics “For the Love of You,” “Between the Sheets” and “Fight the Power.”
Come 1984, Chris, Ernie and Marvin formed their own group, called Isley-Jasper-Isley. The trio’s biggest song was “Caravan of Love.”
Chris began his solo carer in 1986 and released 17 albums, including four gospel albums, through his own company, Gold City Records.
Chris’ family said that “Superbad,” his solo hit released in 1988, “advocated for the importance of education, a theme he was passionate about throughout his career.”
Chris’ Gold City label signed other artists including Liz Hogue, Out Front, and Brothaz By Choice.
In the final decade of his life, Chris released a greatest hits album in 2015, a cover of Billy Preston’s “You Are So Beautiful” called “Share With Me” in 2016, and a covers album in 2019.
Artists who have sampled Chris’ work include Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Queen Latifah, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Fantasia, Will Smith and Jaheim.
Through his career, Chris was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame and received the National R&B Society Lifetime Achievement Award, the Soultracks Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Chris is survived by his wife of 42 years, Maggie Jasper, and their sons Michael, Nicholas and Christopher.
“He will be deeply missed and his legacy will live on as an inspiration for generations,” the family said.
