Jasper, a form of chalcedony, is an opaque, impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color; and rarely blue. This mineral breaks with a smooth surface, and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished and is used for vases, seals, and at one time for snuff boxes. When the colors are in stripes or bands, it is called ''striped'' or ''banded'' jasper. Jaspilite is a banded iron formation rock that often has distinctive bands of jasper. Jasper is basically chert which owes its red color to iron(III) inclusions. The specific gravity of jasper is typically 2.5 to 2.9. The jasper is, along with Heliotrope (bloodstone), one of the traditional birthstones for March. It's also a stone in the Jewish High Priest's breastplate, described in Exodus 28.

Etymology and history

The name means "spotted or speckled stone", and is derived via Old French ''jaspre'' (variant of Anglo-Norman ''jaspe'') and Latin ''iaspidem'' (nom. ''iaspis'')) from Greek ἴασπις ''iaspis'', (feminine noun) from a Semitic language (cf. Hebrew יושפה ''yushphah'', Akkadian ''yashupu''), ultimately from Persian یشپ ''yašp''.

Green jasper was used to make bow drills in Mehrgarh between 4th-5th millennium BC. Jasper is known to have been a favorite gem in the ancient world; its name can be traced back in Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Assyrian, Greek and Latin. On Minoan Crete within present day Greece jasper was carved to produce seals circa 1800 BC based upon archaeological recoveries at the palace of Knossos.

Types

Jasper is an opaque rock of virtually any color stemming from the mineral content of the original sediments or ash. Patterns arise during the consolidation process forming flow and depositional patterns in the original silica rich sediment or volcanic ash. Hydrothermal circulation is generally thought to be required in the formation of jasper.

Jasper can be modified by the diffusion of minerals along discontinuities providing the appearance of vegetative growth, i.e., dendritic. The original materials are often fractured and/or distorted, after deposition, into myriad beautiful patterns which are to be later filled with other colorful minerals. Weathering, with time, will create intensely colored superficial rinds.

The classification and naming of jasper presents a challenge. Terms attributed to various well-defined materials includes the geographic locality where it is found, sometimes quite restricted such as "Bruneau" (a canyon) and "Lahontan" (a lake), rivers and even individual mountains, many are fanciful such as "Forest Fire" or "Rainbow", while others are descriptive such as "Autumn", "Porcelain" or "Dalmatian". A few are designated by the country of origin such as a Brown Egyptian or Red African leaving tremendous latitude as to what is called what.

Picture jaspers exhibit combinations of patterns (such as banding from flow or depositional patterns (from water or wind), dendritic or color variations) resulting in what appear to be scenes or images, on a cut section. Diffusion from a center produces a distinctive orbicular appearance, i.e., Leopard Skin Jasper, or linear banding from a fracture as seen in Leisegang Jasper. Healed, fragmented rock produces brecciated (broken) jasper. Examples of this can be seen at Llanddwyn Island in Wales.

The term ''basanite'' has occasionally been used to refer to a variety of jasper, for example a black flinty or cherty jasper found in several New England states of the USA. Such varieties of jasper are also informally known as ''Lydian stone'' or ''lydite'' and have been used as touchstones in testing the purity of precious metal alloys.

See also

Carnelian

Jasperware

References

Category:Quartz varieties Category:Chert

az:Yəşəm bg:Яспис ca:Jaspi cs:Jaspis de:Jaspis es:Jaspe eo:Jaspo fa:یشم fr:Jaspe gl:Xaspe io:Jaspo is:Jaspis it:Diaspro he:ישפה la:Iaspis lv:Jašma lt:Jaspis nah:Tecpacuihcuilli nl:Jaspis ja:碧玉 nn:Jaspis pl:Jaspis pt:Jaspe ro:Jasp ru:Яшма sk:Jaspis sl:Jaspis sr:Јаспис sv:Jaspis tr:Yeşim (Jasp) uk:Яшма ug:قاشتېشى zh:賈斯珀

Coordinates	8°3′″N34°54′″N
Name	Alex Christensen
Background	solo_singer
Birth date	April 07, 1967
Origin	Hamburg, Germany
Occupation	Singer, producer
Website	}}

Alex Christensen (born 7 April 1967 in Wilhelmsburg, Hamburg, Germany), Jasper Forks or Alex C. as he is known, is a German dance music composer, producer, and DJ, generally known as the face, and one of the founding members, of U96. Since 2002, he has been collaborating with Yasmin K. also known as Y-ass.

Music career

Christensen started in 1991 as a music producer and dj, and had his first success in 1992 as ''U96'' with a techno version of ''Das Boot''. In several countries this song was the first techno song to obtain a number one position. Since 2002 Christensen also works under the name ''Alex C.'' and frequently collaborates with Yasmin K. whom he met as a judge on the second season of ''Popstars''.

As a producer and/or composer Christensen worked for big artists as Right Said Fred, Tom Jones, *NSYNC, Rollergirl, Marianne Rosenberg, Sarah Brightman, and ATC.

Christensen represented Germany at the Final of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow together with Oscar Loya, performing the song "Miss Kiss Kiss Bang" finishing in 20th place.

Alex Christensen's song "Doktorspiele" which featured additional vocals from Yass, won the 2008 Eurodanceweb Contest, which were determined by points assigned by a professional jury of disc jockeys, journalists, music producers, webmasters, radio speakers from all over the World.

Personal life

Alex Christensen is married to Nicole Safft. They have a son.

Biggest hit

In 2007, Christensen released the song ''"Du hast den schönsten Arsch der Welt"'' ("You have the most beautiful ass in the world") in co-operation with Y-ass. It sampled The Soundlovers' "Run Away". This song marked an international breakthrough for Christensen. Because the song got high ratings in several foreign dance charts, it was re-released in several other languages. In some countries the melody was adjusted to fit the taste of the local inhabitants. Some of these versions are:

Alex C ft. Y-Ass - "Du hast den schönsten Arsch der Welt" (German - Original) ( English translation )

Trasero - "Lekkerste Kont Van Het Land" (Dutch)

Alex C ft. Y-ass - "Sweetest Ass In The World" (English)

Alex C ft. Y-ass - "Tienes El Culo Más Bello Del Mundo" (Spanish)

Alex C ft. Y-ass - "Tu As Le Plus Beau Cul Du Monde" (French)

Mr.Vee & Michaela - "Máš Nejhezčí Zadek Na Světě" (Czech)

Släm - Sul On Kõige Kaunim Kann (Estonian)

Jasper Forks (2010-present)

In early 2010, Alex Christensen adopted the name Jasper Forks to mark a move away from the dance productions he had previously been associated with. He began producing tech piano house, and his first single “River Flows In You” made it to the top 10 of the airplay charts all across Europe. The follow up single “Alone” was released in January 2011.

Discography

Albums as U96

Singles as U96

Albums as Alex C.

Singles as Alex C.

Singles As: Alex Swings Oscar Sings!

References

External links

Official website

Category:1967 births Category:Living people Category:People from Hamburg Category:German Eurovision Song Contest entrants Category:Eurovision Song Contest entrants of 2009

de:Alex Christensen es:Alex Christensen fr:Alex Christensen it:Alex Christensen nl:Alex Christensen pl:Alex Christensen pt:Alex Christensen ru:Кристенсен, Алекс sk:Alex Christensen sv:Alex Christensen tr:Alex Christensen

Coordinates	8°3′″N34°54′″N
name	Dan Mangan
background	solo_singer
birth name	Daniel Mangan
birth date	April 28, 1983
birth place	Smithers, British Columbia, Canada
origin	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
instrument	Vocals, guitar, piano
genre	Indie rockFolkSinger-songwriter
years active	2003–present
label	Arts & Crafts, FUM, ABC/Warner
website
notable instruments	}}

Daniel Mangan (born April 28, 1983) is a Canadian indie folk-rock singer-songwriter.

Early life

Mangan was born in Smithers, British Columbia. His family moved a fair amount, residing in both the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia - and primarily in his current home town of Vancouver. Raised in a household where instruments were always available, music became an obvious pasttime for Dan and his two siblings. At sixteen, he started a band called Basement Suite with some fellow classmates and played gigs at local community centres.

Recording career

In 2003, at 20 years old, Mangan completed his first set of recordings: an EP of simply recorded acoustic songs called ''All at Once'', pressing 500 copies which were given away and sold throughout the Vancouver area while attending the University of British Columbia. With a bank loan and a small community of musicians who would offer cheap or free sessions, Mangan recorded ''Postcards & Daydreaming'' in the summer of 2005 with local British ex-pat Daniel Elmes and good friend Simon Kelly. Dan released the album independently at first, selling the album online and at live shows. In July 2007, Vancouver-based independent record label File Under: Music picked up the LP and re-released the album with new artwork and an extra track, "Ash Babe". The following March, the record was released in Australia by ABC/Warner.

In March 2009, "FUM" released another short-play recording called ''Roboteering'' EP, containing songs from Mangan's forthcoming album ''Nice, Nice, Very Nice''. The album was recorded in Toronto, Ontario, at Green Door Studios with producer John Critchley, and featured an assortment of other Canadian artists such as Veda Hille, Justin Rutledge, Mark Berube, Hannah Georgas and members of Said The Whale, Major Maker, and Elliott Brood. Five months later, ''Nice, Nice, Very Nice'' was released in Canada. After years of steady touring, and with Dan's second full-length release, Mangan was starting to get noticed across his home country. The first two singles from his second full-length, "Robots" and "Road Regrets" earned airplay on local Vancouver radio stations, as well as on satellite radio stations such as The Verge and CBC Radio 3. The album name was inspired by a line from American novelist Kurt Vonnegut's book "Cat's Cradle", while musically ''Nice, Nice, Very Nice'' has been compared to Chad VanGaalen and Bon Iver.

In September 2009, Dan was awarded "Artist Of The Year" from the Verge Music Awards which sent a surge of attention and press his way. In 2010, "Nice, Nice, Very Nice" was licensed and released by Toronto based independent record label Arts & Crafts in Europe and the United States, garnering a larger international presence for Mangan's music. In September, 2010, the album was shortlisted by a jury of 200 Canadian journalists, music critics and media personnel for the Polaris Music Prize, which seeks to award the "best full-length Canadian album based on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales, or record label". Other shortlisted nominees included Karkwa (winner of the prize), Broken Social Scene, Caribou, Owen Pallett, The Besnard Lakes, Tegan and Sara, Shad, The Sadies and Radio Radio.

Dan and his band have been recording with Vancouver based producer/engineer Colin Stewart, working toward a third full-length album. On May 28, 2011, Mangan officially announced the title of the new album as being ''Oh Fortune'' to his audience at the Sasquatch! Music Festival. He has been playing several songs from the forthcoming album live, including the title track, "Post-War Blues" and "Rows of Houses," which was inspired by the film Stand By Me.

On July 4, 2011, the artwork for ''Oh Fortune'' was revealed, along with a free download of the title track, on Dan's official website. The album will be released on September 27th in North America.

Touring

After years of touring solo internationally, Dan now generally tours with a band - made up from a collection of musicians in Vancouver and Toronto including guitarist Gord Grdina (Gord Grdina Trio), drummer Kenton Loewen (The Crackling), bassists John Walsh (Brasstronaut) and Colin Cowan (Analog Bell Service) and brass players Shaun Brodie (The Hidden Cameras), Bryden Baird (Feist), and JP Carter (Fond of Tigers). He has also toured with Australian musicians Cameron Potts and Lee Carey, playing lead guitar and drums respectively, both from Sydney band Dead Letter Chorus.

The band often plays in Canada, USA, Europe and Australia - and has shared stages with a wide array of artists such as The Walkmen, Japandroids, Broken Social Scene, Holy Fuck, Julian Casablancas, Timber Timbre, Sarah Harmer, The Broken Family Band, Elliott Brood, The Acorn, Patrick Watson, Jenn Grant, Brett Dennen, Mother Mother, Geoff Berner, Great Lake Swimmers, Basia Bulat, Veda Hille, Hannah Georgas, Charlie Parr and Hey Rosetta!.

Mangan has been invited to perform at many international music festivals including:

UK: Glastonbury (2010 "John Peel Stage", 2011 "Other Stage"), End Of The Road Festival (2011)

Australia: Woodford Folk Festival (2010), East Coast Blues and Roots (2008), and Peats Ridge (2009, 2010)

Canada: Vancouver Folk Music Festival (2009), Dawson City Music Festival (2010), Calgary Folk Festival (2010), Mariposa Folk Festival (2010), Winnipeg Folk Festival (2011), Regina Folk Festival (2011), Home County Folk Festival (2011)

USA: Sasquatch! Festival (2011), Rocky Mt. Folks Festival (2011)

Discography

EPs

Year	Album details
2003				FUM Records>FUM	* Format:
Year	Album details
2005				* Label: [[ABC Records	digital download">Extended play
2009				* Label: FUM	* Format: EP, digital download

LPs

Year	Album details
2005				* Label: [[ABC Records	digital download
2009				* Label: Arts & Crafts, FUM, ABC/Warner	* Format: LP, digital download
2011				* Label: Arts & Crafts, FUM, ABC/Warner

References

External links

Dan Mangan official website

Dan Mangan on Twitter

Dan Mangan on Facebook

Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:People from Vancouver Category:Musicians from Vancouver Category:Canadian singer-songwriters Category:Canadian rock singers Category:Canadian folk singers Category:Canadian male singers Category:Arts & Crafts (record label) artists

Coordinates	8°3′″N34°54′″N
name	Kimura Kaela
background	solo_singer
birth name	Rie Kaela Kimura
alias	Kaela, Kae-chan, Amemo-Kaera
birth date	October 24, 1984
origin	Tokyo, Japan
instrument	Singing, electric guitar
genre	Rock, pop, pop punk
occupation	Singer, songwriter, model, presenter
years active	2004–present
label	Columbia Music Entertainment
associated acts	Avengers in Sci-Fi, Farrah, Idoling!!!, Perfume, Sadistic Mika Band, Scha Dara Parr, Suemitsu & the Suemith, Taiyō Yamazaki
website
notable instruments	}}

, born , (born October 24, 1984) is a Japan-based pop rock singer, songwriter, model, and TV presenter.

Career

Born in Adachi, Tokyo, Japan to a British father and Japanese mother, Kaela started working as a model in 2002 for the Japanese magazine ''Seventeen''. She went on to host the popular morning television show ''Saku Saku'' from April 14, 2003 to March 31, 2006.

Kimura released her only indie single, entitled "Level 42", but it was later released as her major label debut single on June 23, 2004, after she signed with Columbia Music Entertainment. The song was used over the end credits of ''Saku Saku''. On October 27, Kimura released her second single, "happiness!!!", which was followed by her debut album, ''Kaela'', on December 8, 2004.

Following the release of her third single, "Rirura Riruha", on March 30, 2005, Kimura saw her fanbase grow considerably. The song was used in a series of Vodafone commercials in Japan and helped make her a household name. It sold over 100,000 copies, her best-selling single to date, and it also received a nomination for "Best Video" in the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2005. Nearly seven months later, her next single, "Beat", was released. The song was composed by Tamio Okuda. The song had a more pop punk influence. On January 18, 2006, Kimura released her fifth single, "You". In March 2006, ''Circle'' was released and debuted at number two on the Oricon chart. She continued promoting Kit Kat with a promotional single titled "Circle"; a CD with the song was sold along with the candy in a limited package. At this point, Kimura decided to leave the TV show, ''Saku Saku'', to focus on her music career. Her last appearance as host was on March 31, 2006.

During 2006, Kimura became the lead vocalist of the rock band Sadistic Mika Band, which started as a collaboration for Kirin products promotion, and later resulting in the album ''Narkissos'' as Sadistic Mikaela Band. That year, she also covered Roy Orbison's ''Oh, Pretty Woman'', which was used as the theme song of 2006 Japanese television dramas ''Attention Please'' starring Aya Ueto. She appeared on the program in a cameo role as an airline passenger in episode 10.

On June 28, a new single, "Magic Music", was released, followed by the release of "Tree Climbers" three months later. Her eighth single, "Snowdome", was released in conjunction with her third studio album, ''Scratch'', on February 7, 2007. The song "Snowdome" was composed by Japanese pop punk band Beat Crusaders. The album ''Scratch'' topped the Oricon Albums Chart for two weeks and sold over 300,000 copies.

Kimura's ninth single, "Samantha", was released on July 18, 2007. The song was inspired by Samantha Stephens, the protagonist from the ABC TV series, ''Bewitched''; and the music video features Hanna-Barbera designs. In September, a second DVD from her 'Scratch Tour' was released, followed by her tenth single, "Yellow", a month later. She released her eleventh single, "Jasper", a dance song very different from her previous works, in early 2008. On April 2, her fourth album, ''+1'', was released and debuted on the Oricon weekly albums chart at number three. After the album's release, Kimura hosted her '+1 TOUR' and released her first music video compilation ''Best Video 1''.

On September 10, 2008, she released her first double A-side single . The first A-side was used in 'Lucido-L' commercials, while the second was featured in the Japanese film . Kimura released her first ballad, entitled on January 28, 2009, reaching number five on Oricon, and her fourteenth single, "Banzai", on May 8, followed by her fifth studio album, ''Hocus Pocus'', on June 24, celebrating her fifth anniversary as a singer.

Personal life

On June 1, 2010, it was announced on her official website that Kimura would marry actor Eita after becoming engaged in late 2009. The two were officially married on September 1. The official marriage announcement was delayed due to work commitments. They have a son (born October 2010, though without a disclosed exact birthdate or name).

Discography

Studio albums

2004: ''Kaela''

2006: ''Circle''

2007: ''Scratch''

2008: ''+1''

2009: ''Hocus Pocus''

Compilation albums

2010: ''5 Years''

RIAJ certified singles

2005: "Rirura Riruha"

2006: "Magic Music"

2006: "Tree Climbers"

2007: "Snowdome"

2008: "Jasper"

2009: "Butterfly"

2009: "Hot Pepper no Uta"

2010: "Ring a Ding Dong"

Filmography

''Custom Made 10.30'' (2005)

See also

Tamio Okuda

Bae Yong Joon

Puffy

Perfume

References

External links

Columbia Records Official Kaela Kimura Website Kaela Kimura Official Website Kaela Kimura's web blog

Kaela Kimura World

Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Tokyo Category:Japanese bloggers Category:Japanese female singers Category:Japanese people of English descent Category:Japanese female models Category:Nippon Columbia artists

es:Kaela Kimura fr:Kaela Kimura ko:기무라 카에라 it:Kimura Kaela ja:木村カエラ pt:Kaela Kimura fi:Kaela Kimura tl:Kaela Kimura zh:木村KAELA

Coordinates	8°3′″N34°54′″N
name	Jasper Carrott OBE
birth name	Robert Norman Davis
birth date	March 14, 1945
birth place	Acocks Green, Birmingham, England, UK
nationality	British
active	1973–2005 (Singer)1975–present (Comedian)
medium	Stand-up, television
spouse
website	Official site }}

Jasper Carrott OBE (born Robert Norman Davis on 14 March 1945) is a British comedian, actor, television presenter and personality.

Early life

Born in Shaftmoor Lane, Acocks Green (what he would later describe as sounding like the address for "the home of a professional rapist"), Birmingham, Carrott was educated at Acocks Green Primary School and Moseley Grammar School. He then worked as a trainee buyer at a city centre department store called The Beehive with schoolfriend Bev Bevan.

Rise to fame

In February 1969 he started his own folk club, "The Boggery", in nearby Solihull with his friend Les Ward, where Carrott performed folk songs as well as MC. Before long, his banter with the audience overtook the actual songs: he became known more as a comedian than a singer. He also worked as a musical agent (in partnership with John Starkey, who became his manager in 1974 until 1992), as Fingimigig, managing (among other acts) Harvey Andrews. He toured the UK, appearing in Rugby clubs and the like. He independently recorded an album, financed by himself, called "Jasper Carrot – In the Club", which he sold out of the back of his car/van. It was this album that contained the original "Magic Roundabout" – see below. Released in 1973, the LP is quite rare, although it mainly consists of material later used in his first three official LPs (such as ''Hare Krishna'', ''Car Insurance'', ''Bastity Chelt'', and ''Hava Nagila'') plus the Fred Wedlock song ''The Folker''.

He had a surprise UK top-5 chart hit in August 1975 – the novelty record "Funky Moped", written by Chris Rohmann and was produced by Jeff Lynne. The B-side of this single was a risqué monologue parodying the animated children's TV series ''The Magic Roundabout''. This was banned by the BBC, which is widely believed to have aided its commercial success, and leading, ironically, to his appearance on the BBC's 'Top of the Pops'.

By the late 1970s, Carrott had developed a number of anecdotal sketches which he still performs in similar form some thirty years on. Often these sketches purported to be auto-biographical; many of them celebrate Birmingham accent and culture, including his support of his beloved Birmingham City. His sketches were captured on records such as ''Jasper Carrott Rabbitts on and on and on...'' and ''Carrott in Notts'' which were recordings of live performances. Notable hits were ''Bastity Chelt'' a complete song in Spoonerism, ''The Football Match'' describing a visit to Old Trafford, ''The Nutter on the Bus'' including the well known cry of ''"Has anybody seen my camel?"''), ''The Mole'' (''"There's only one way to get rid of a mole – blow its bloody head off!"'') and ''Zits'' – an explanation of an American slang word for spots which brought the word into use in England.

In 1979 he published ''A Little Zit on the Side'' which purported to be a humorous auto-biography. The follow-up, ''Sweet And Sour Labrador'', mixed sections of his stand-up routines with similar autobiographical material, much of it related to his world travels.

Jasper also was one of the comperes for the Birmingham Heart Beat Charity Concert 1986 which featured many local bands such as ELO and the Moody Blues,with a finale that included George Harrison from The Beatles.

On 15 September 2007 he was inducted into the Birmingham Walk of Stars at a presentation as part of the Arts Fest 2007 celebrations. The award was presented by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham. Carrott is the 2nd inductee, following Ozzy Osbourne.

Jasper Carrott was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the British Comedy Awards 2008 on the 6 December.

Career

His first appearance on television was a half hour show for BBC Midlands in 1976, ''A Half Hour Mislaid with Jasper Carrott'' recorded at Pebble Mill, his big break came two years later when he was invited by Michael Grade to make a pilot for LWT, this was well liked by Grade and five further shows were recorded and became his first TV series ''An Audience with Jasper Carrott'' in 1978, this successful partnership with LWT lasted until 1981, ''The Unrecorded Jasper Carrott'' (1979) and ''Beat the Carrott'' (1981) are the two most well known live stand up performances from his time with LWT. This was followed by a move to the BBC and ''Carrott's Lib'' – a Saturday night comedy show broadcast live – and then by a string of different BBC shows. The most notable of these were ''Carrott's Commercial Breakdown'', which broadcast weird and wonderful adverts from around the world, and the sketch and stand-up shows ''Carrott Confidential'', ''24 Carrott Gold'', ''The Jasper Carrott Trial'' and ''Canned Carrott'', some of which also gave TV exposure to the comedy partnership of Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis.

In addition to his television work, Carrott made a foray into cinema when he played Heinrich in the 1987 British comedy ''Jane and the Lost City''.

''Canned Carrott'' also featured a regular police drama spoof called ''The Detectives'', co-starring Robert Powell, which was spun off into its own series. In 2002 – 2004, he starred in the sitcom ''All About Me''.

He performed in several of the ''Secret Policeman's Ball'' charity concerts for Amnesty International, and returned to the stage in 2004 for several sell out shows at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham featuring classic routines from his career. He returned to a singing role for the musical "Go Play Up Your Own End" (written by Malcolm Stent, songs by Harvey Andrews) in 2005.

In 2005, he appeared in and put on the first of "Jasper Carrott's Rock With Laughter" concerts. He appeared alongside performers such as Bill Bailey, Bonnie Tyler, Lenny Henry, Bobby Davro, the Lord of the Dance troupe and Bev Bevan. This has become a regular event at the NEC in Birmingham, usually staged in December and some times alternating with his "Jasper Carrott's Christmas Crackers" events, but there have also been a few Summer shows too.

In the summer of 2007, Jasper hosted the Endemol-produced game show ''Golden Balls'' for ITV1. Promising ratings led to a recommission, and the second series which began in January 2008. A third series began in April 2008, and fourth series started in October 2008. A fifth and six series was shown in 2009.

He was the host of the Sunday night interactive national pub quiz, Cash Inn and also an investor in the company, operated by Innterplay, this company has since entered administration.

He was 20th in Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians show.

Literary work

Jasper Carrott has written three humorous autobiographical paperbacks ''A Little Zit on the Side'' (1979), ''Sweet and Sour Labarador'' (1982) and ''Carrott Roots...and Other Myths'' (1986), he also wrote an odd novel called, '''Shop! or A Store is Born'.''

Also of interest is a book by Jasper's former manager John Starkey, ''Jasper and Me'' (1993) Etsiketsi Books.

Business interests

He turned his hand to business as part owner of the production company Celador, makers of the internationally successful ''Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?''. In 2006, he and wife Hazel sold their shares in the company for over £10m as part of a management buyout deal.

Personal life and interests

Carrott has been married to his wife Hazel (née Jackson) since 1973, his daughter, Lucy Davis (born 1973), is an actress best known for playing Dawn in ''The Office''.

He is a proud supporter and former director of the football club Birmingham City. He was made an OBE in 2002. The University of Birmingham awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2004. following a similar award from Aston University in 1995

He currently resides near Solihull, in Darley Green, to the south of Dorridge. Carrott was a keen runner and supported his local Knowle Fun Run through sponsorship and publicity, including 2001 where he paid out several thousand pounds based on the £10 per person who beat him to the finish line.

He is also a long time patron and fundraiser for Sunfield Children's Home, a school for children with autism and complex learning needs. The school is located in the village of Clent just outside Stourbridge.

TV and Filmography

''A Half Hour Mislaid with Jasper Carrott'' (BBC Midlands, 17 September 1976)

''An Audience With Jasper Carrott'' (LWT, 6 episodes, 6 January – 3 March 1978)

''The Unrecorded Jasper Carrott'' (LWT, live from the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, 18 February 1979)

''Carrott Gets Rowdie'' (LWT, 2 November 1980)

''Carrott Del Sol'' (Sago) (LWT, 2 January 1981)

''Beat the Carrott'' (LWT, live from the London Palladium, 18 September 1981)

''The Secret Policeman's Other Ball'' (Film, 1982)

''Carrott's Lib'' (BBC, 17 episodes, 2 series & 2 Specials, 2 October 1982 – 30 December 1983)

''Jasper Carrott – I've Got This Mole'' (short animated film, LWT, 23 December 1984)

''Jasper Carrott – Learner Driver(Mother in Law)'' (short animated film, unknown TX date)

''American Carrott'' (Channel 4/HBO, 19 January 1985)

''Carrott Confidential'' (BBC, 26 episodes, 2 series & 2 Specials, 3 January 1987 – 4 February 1989) (this includes an election special broadcast on BBC2, and a special trailer for the 2nd series, broadcast on Friday 15 January 1988, which took the form of a mini sketch with Jasper dressed as Anne Robinson on 'Pointless Views')

''Stand-up America'' (BBC, 6 episodes, 7 July – 11 August 1987)

''Jane and the Lost City'' (Heinrich / Herman / Hans) (Film, 1987)

''Carrott's Commercial Breakdown'' (BBC1, 29 December 1989)

''Canned Carrott'' (BBC, 12 episodes, 2 series, 17 January 1990 – 15 December 1992)

''24 Carrott Gold'' (BBC, recorded live at Stratford Upon Avon, 28 December 1990)

''Carrott's Commercial Breakdown 2'' (BBC, 27 December 1991)

''One Jasper Carrott'' (BBC, recorded live at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, 28 December 1992)

''The Detectives'' (Bob Louis) (BBC, 30 episodes, 5 series & 1 Special, 27 January 1993 – 30 December 1997)

''Carrott's Commercial Breakdown 3'' (BBC, 28 December 1993)

''Carrott-U-Like'' (BBC, 27 December 1994)

''Carrott's Commercial Breakdown 4'' (BBC, 5 March 1996)

''The Jasper Carrott Trial'' (BBC, 6 episodes, 20 May – 26 June 1997) (based on the original BBC radio series)

''Jasper Carrott – Back to the Front'' (BBC, 6 episodes, 24 February – 31 March 1999)

''All About Me'' (Colin Craddock) (BBC, 22 episodes, 3 series, 8 March 2002 – 29 October 2004)

''24 Carrott Gold: The Best of Jasper Carrott'' (BBC, recorded live at the NIC in Birmingham, 6 episodes, 6 February – March 2004)

''Golden Balls'' (Presenter) (ITV1, 18 June 2007 – 18 December 2009)

Discography

''Jasper Carrott in the Club'' (live LP, Criminal Records 1973)

''Funky Moped/The Magic Roundabout'' (DJS 388, 7 inch single, DJM Records 1975)

''Jasper Carrott Rabbitts on and on and on..'' (DJLPS 462/DJF 20462, live LP, DJM Records 1975)

''Disco Hits 75'' (ADE P 18, compilation LP, Arcade Records 1975) (features Jaspers top 5 hit 'Funky Moped')

''20 Original Top Hits'' (2475 501, compilation LP, Polystar Records 1975) (features Jaspers top 5 hit 'Funky Moped')

''Bickenhill Rovers Skin'ead Supporters Song/Car Insurance'' (DJS 649, 7 inch single, DJM Records 1976)

''Carrott in Notts'' (DJF 20482, live LP, DJM Records 1976)

''12 Days of Christmas/Local Radio Promotion'' (DJS 10815, 7 inch single/DJR 18002, 12 inch single, DJM Records 1977)

''A Pain in the Arm'' (DJF 20518, live LP, DJM Records 1978)

''Disco Saturday Night 40'' (PLD 8004, Double LP compilation, Pickwick Records 1978) (features Jaspers top 5 hit 'Funky Moped')

''The Best of Jasper Carrott'' (DJF 20549, live LP, DJM Record 1978)

''The Un-Recorded Jasper Carrott'' (DJF 20560, live at Drury Lane TV soundtrack LP, DJM Records 1979)

''BBC Fun At One'' (BBC REB 371, LP, BBC Records 1979)(features one track from Jasper 'Car Insurance')

''Made in Australia'' (L 375 16, live in Australia LP, DJM/Festival (Australia) 1980)

''12 Days of Christmas'' (K-8144, 7 inch single, DJM/Festival (Australia) 1980)

''Beat the Carrott'' (DJF 20575, live at the London Palladium TV soundtrack LP, DJM Records 1981)

''The Secret Policeman's Other Ball'' (HAHA 6003, live LP, Springtime Records 1981)(features one track from Jasper 'Australian Motor Insurance Claims')

''We Are Most Amused:The Very Best of British Comedy'' (RTD 2067, Double LP, Ronco Records 1981)(features one track from Jasper 'Nutter on the Bus.)

''The Best of the Chat from Carrott's Lib'' (DJF 20580, live TV series soundtrack LP, DJM Records 1982)

''The Stun (Carrott Tells All)'' (DJF 20582, live LP, DJM Records 1983)

''Noel Edmonds presents Listen with Mother'' (BBC REC 525, LP, BBC Records 1984)(Jasper reads 'Gary the Greatest' by Margaret Joy from The Noel Edmonds Show 1982)

''Jasper Carrott in America'' (RNLP 817, live in America LP, Rhino Records 1985)

''Cosmic Carrott'' (Laugh 1, live in America LP, CBS Portrait Records 1986)

''Jasper Carrotts Condensed Classics (CCD 30, CD, Chrysalis/Dover Records 1991)

''The Complete Secret Policeman's Other Ball'' (ESDCD, 2 CD set, Island 1991) (features two tracks from Jasper 'Australian Motor Insurance Claims' and 'Confessions of a Van Driver')

''24 Carrott Gold'' (EMI TC EMC 3655, live Stratford Upon Avon TV soundtrack 1990, Audio Cassette, EMI Records 1991)

''Canned Carrott For The Record'' (EMI 8 31146 2, 2 CD TV soundtrack, EMI Records 1994)

''Jasper Carrott-Back to the Front'' volume 1 (TLCD 04, TV soundtrack CD, Sound Entertainment 2000)

''Jasper Carrott-Back to the Front'' volume 2 (TLCD 05, TV Soundtrack CD, Sound Entertainment 2000)

''24 Carrott Gold – The Best Of Jasper Carrott'' (TCLCD 58, live at the NIC Birmingham, Sound Entertainment 2004)

''Classic Carrott volume 1 – Canned Carrott For The Record'' (2CD TV soundtrack, Sound Entertainment 2005)

''Classic Carrott volume 2 – 24 Carrott Gold'' (TV soundtrack CD, Sound Entertainment 2005)

''Classic Carrott volume 3 – One Jasper Carrott'' (TLCD050, TV soundtrack CD, Sound Entertainment 2005)

References

External links

Jasper Carrott Official Website

BBC Comedy Guide lists his work.

Category:1945 births Category:Living people Category:Comedians from Birmingham, West Midlands Category:English stand-up comedians Category:Alumni of Aston University Category:English comedy musicians Category:English game show hosts Category:English television presenters Category:English television personalities Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire

nl:Jasper Carrott zh:渣士帕·卡栗