About Jahfeeil

The musical world loves categories, these neat little boxes where artists are “defined.” Jahfeeil is one of those artists who may be in such a position but goes beyond the box he finds himself in. You may think that this singer-songwriter-musician-producer belongs in the world of R&B; just don’t tell him that, and certainly don’t think that after listening to his music.

Jahfeeil was born Elder Manly in Los Angeles in 1967 to a musical family. By the fifth grade, he sang in Gospel Quartets and played guitar. His knowledge and understanding of music were further shaped at the HSPVA High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and the Phillis Wheatley High School in Houston, Texas. It was here that he learned how to harness music as a tool to express emotion and joy.

Jahfeeil began his professional career in 1983, and was playing with the funk collective 2B Continued in 1987. The loss of his mother in 1997 was a profound one, leading to a hiatus from music that lasted almost 20 years.

In 2017, he returned to music under the name Jahfeeil, creating songs that blend elements of Mayfield, Hendrix, Marley, Legend and the Isley Brothers into a sound that is uniquely his own. His music output has been prolific, showcasing his talents as a singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, including his most recent singles, “Rainy Nights” and “City of Gold.” Listen and see why Jahfeeil defies categorization, making great music beyond simple genres.