Jeffry Katz

For other people named Jeff Katz, seeJeffrey Katz.

Jeffry Katz(born May 20, 1943, Brooklyn, New York) is an Americanmusic producer,one of the first exponents ofbubblegum pop.

Music career

He is one half of a hitmaking duo withJerry Kasenetz,the two working together as theSuper K Productionscompany.He and Kasenetz have manufactured and producedKasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus,The Music Explosion,1910 Fruitgum Company,Crazy ElephantandThe Ohio Express.

Kasenetz and Katz met at theUniversity of Arizonain the early 1960s. Both came from observant Jewish families. One of their first projects in the music business was as concert promoters bringing the British bandthe Dave Clark Fiveto the University of Arizona. Leaving the University of Arizona before their senior year they moved back to New York and opened a small office on Broadway in Manhattan.

Kasenetz and Katz created the concept of bubblegum music.Neil BogartofBuddah Recordsasked the duo to come up with a marketing name for their music. Between 1967 and 1969 some of their bubblegum music releases are "Beg, Borrow and Steal," "1, 2, 3, Red Light,""Goody, Goody Gumdrops, ""Indian Giver","Down at Lulu's, "" Chewy, Chewy, "" Mercy, ""Simon Says,""Special Delivery, ""Yummy Yummy Yummy"and"Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'."

In 1966, their first production was with Christine Cooper on "S.O.S. Heart In Distress." The same year Kasenetz and Katz began working with an Ohio band,The Music Explosionwho recorded "Little Bit O' Soul."Kasenetz got in his car and drove across the country promoting the song to radio stations. In July 1967, the song reached No. 2 on theBillboardHot 100chart, selling a million copies. This solidified Kasenetz and Katz as music industry players.

In 1977, Kasenetz and Katz achieved another top twenty hit "Black Betty" by the groupRam Jam,featuringBill Bartlettof theLemon Pipers.