SJ (born Scott Jablonski) is an American singer-songwriter, performing artist, and attorney from South Florida.^[1][2][3] He is best known for his acoustic music, and for being one of the few American performers to successfully transition from an international law career into the music industry.^[4][5][6]

SJ has released two studio albums and one live album under the independent label Acoustic Soul Records.^[1][2][7] In 2011, the singer was nominated by Sirius XM’s The Coffeehouse as “Discovery of the Year”,^[2][3] and in 2012, SJ’s song “I Like You” appeared on US top-ten charts alongside Bruno Mars, Train, and Katy Perry.^[4] His musical style and singing have been compared to the works Jack Johnson, John Mayer, and Jason Mraz.^{[7][8][9][2][10]}

In addition to his achievements as a musician, SJ is also an accomplished lawyer whose legal writings have appeared in the Journal of International Law and Politics, Oxford University Press, and other publications.^[11] SJ holds a bachelor’s degree from Gannon University, with a Juris Doctor and a Master of Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.^[12] He chose the name SJ as a tribute to his paternal grandfather, Stanley Jablonski, who was also a musician.^[13]

Early Life and Education

SJ was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to a family of Polish, German and Slovenian descent.^[2] He spent his childhood in Phoenix, Arizona, where he began to explore his love for music, performing songs by Willie Nelson and Jonny Cash for his family and friends.^[2][5] When he was a teenager, SJ’s family moved back to Parma, Ohio, where he attended Normandy High School and got his first job at age fifteen to pay for acoustic guitar lessons.^[1]

After spending his freshman year in college at the University of Charleston, where he played for the NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Team, SJ transferred to Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he also played college soccer.^[2] He received a bachelor of arts in Political Science and Spanish in December 1999.

At Gannon, SJ played music as a hobby with friends at local bars, coffee houses, talent shows, private parties, and on-campus activities, playing covers of songs by Dave Matthews Band, The Grateful Dead, Neil Young, Nick Drake and The Beatles, and experimenting with Spanish guitar and Latin rock.^[10][1]

SJ then attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and earned a Juris Doctor and a master’s degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.^[12] He continued to play music as a hobby at private parties, weddings, and the law school’s library coffee shop.^[13]

SJ moved to Miami, Florida, to practice law as an associate with Duane Morris LLP, and later as an associate with Hogan Lovells.^[6] By 2007, he had published several works in the field of international corporate law.^[11]

In 2009, motivated by events in his life and the encouragement of his family and close friends, SJ decided to pursue his true passion of writing and performing music.^[14][2]

Music Career

SJ’s style mixes the genres of folk-alternative, folk pop, and acoustic rock.^[6] His work has been described as “sunny, feel-good music.”^[2]

Since his decision in 2009 to put his legal career on hold in order to apply himself entirely to his work as a performing artist, SJ has been releasing music and touring in the United States.^[14] In 2012, he released his first full-length studio LP, Coffee: Strong Brew Edition, and completed his first national tour. In 2012, SJ shared stages with artists such as Jacob Jeffries Band, Pentatonix, New Riders of the Purple Sage, and Seth Glier.^[15] In 2013, SJ was selected to open for Ed Sheeran at SunFest music and arts festival in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Between 2011 and 2013, SJ’s music began to get airtime on over 100 radio stations in the US, including the nationally syndicated specialty show, Acoustic Café Radio.^[3][1][5] He also received official endorsements from Taylor Guitars, Sennheiser, Future Sonics, Gator Cases, Hercules Stands, and Elixir strings.^{[16][3][5][10]}

In 2012, SJ’s second commercial single “Let Me Be” remained on U.S. Mediabase radio charts for four months, peaking at #32 on the Mediabase A/C radio charts and at #31 on the Mediabase Hot A/C Indicator charts, just missing a Billboard position.

Discography

In August 2012, SJ released his first LP, Coffee: Strong Brew Edition.^[16] He also released a live studio version titled Coffee: Unfiltered Live Acoustic Album.^[10] The former was recorded at Outer Reach Music Studios in Miami, mixed by Grammy-winning producer Bob Rosa, and mastered by Ryan Smith of Sterling Sound.^[13][17] The later was also mixed by Bob Rosa and mastered by Ryan Smith, and was recorded at George Noriega’s Cutting Cane Studios in Davie, Florida.

Coffee—EP (2011)

SJ’s Coffee was his first commercial studio-recorded EP, with songs on the album winning or earning nominations for over 10 independent music awards in the US and UK.^[3] The EP features the original version of SJ’s award-winning song “I Like You”, which appeared on top-ten charts alongside Bruno Mars, Train, and Katy Perry.^[18][17]

Coffee: Strong Brew Edition (2012)

SJ’s Coffee: Strong Brew Edition was his first full-length commercial studio recorded LP, featuring songs from Coffee and seven additional tracks. The album was produced by SJ, Oszy Carmona, and Peter Finley, with the exception of "I Like You (Radio Version)" and the Spanish-language version "Lo Mejor De Mi", which were produced by Derek Olds and SJ, and mixed and mastered by Grammy Award winning producer and engineer, Carlos Alvarez.

Coffee Unfiltered—Live Acoustic Album and DVD

Coffee Unfiltered was SJ’s first live studio and videotaped album, recorded at Grammy Award winning American songwriter and record producer George Noriega’s Cutting Cane Studios in Davie, Florida. It features various songs from Coffee: Strong Brew Edition, as well as other tracks. It was produced by SJ, Oszy Carmona, Peter Finley, and Grammy Award winner Bob Rosa.

I Like You–EP (demo)

SJ’s I Like You–EP was a demo recording of SJ’s songs “I Like You” and “Breathe”, which were produced, mixed, and mastered by Derek Olds. ^[1] In 2012, this version of “I Like You” became a theme track for the Talking Tomcat “Tom’s Love Letters” mobile application by Outfit7.

Awards and Recognition

References