Just as Photographer Jean Valentin snapped this photo, I had the sudden urge to break into song…
“Everybody (yeah!), Rock your body (yeah!), Everybody, Rock your body right… Backstreet’s back alright!”

A fun (yet somewhat dramatic) shot of some of Cutting Edge Entertainment’s MC/DJ talent.

From left to right: Richie, Adam, Foltzy, Tony & Nate.

-Craig

Photo by Jean Valentin

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

Adam Brand has been with Cutting Edge Entertainment since 1997 and showed a remarkable ability very early on.  He was DJing his own events by his freshman year in college, and now – a graduate of Drexel University – is one of Cutting Edge’s most requested and respected DJs.

So why say ‘The coolest DJ in Philly?’  Just because he is.  Cool as a cucumber.  On job days, Adam rolls up to the office in his sporty B.M.W. 328Xi (incidentally the nicest car of any employee at CEE) as if he was James Bond rolling up to headquarters.  He’s smooth personified,  and it carries over into the way he handles an event.  Not only is Adam is a flawless beat mixer, with a diverse and extensive knowledge of music, he is also a talented MC with years of experience. He has a very cool and likable demeanor that has managed to land Cutting Edge Entertainment on countless preferred vendor lists in and around Philadelphia.

Adam’s air of confidence is quite justified, as he knows what he’s doing and never skips a beat (no pun intended).  He represents Cutting Edge well, and one of his greatest strengths is his almost corporate approach to an event. With a degree in Business Administration and Management Information Systems, Adam has an impeccable knack for organization, and his music programing at events is meticulous and well planned out.  From the first song played at cocktail hour to the last song of the evening, Adam’s music choices are well crafted, and his uncanny ability to read the dance floor ensures fun and excitement – but without the cheese.

As with all Cutting Edge Staff, Adam meets with his clients prior to the event, developing a strong rapport with his clientele (we usually refer to our customers as clients, but with Adam you just have to say clientele).

Whether it be a wedding, bar/bat mitzvah, or corporate event – large or small – Adam manages them all with the same enthusiasm and attention to detail.  One bride – whose wedding Adam recently performed at – said “He listened to me, and made sure every request I made was played, while doing a great job of knowing just when to play a particular song.”

Adam isn’t cool just because we say he is, but because it’s the word clients use to describe him… and that speaks volumes.

Photo by Jean Valentin

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

My first meeting with photographer Jean Valentin was a brief one, and at first glance he had an Antonio Banderas thing going on, accent and all.  Later I would find out he wasn’t Spanish, although he still had that European charm (and sense of style).  My second meeting with him was at an industry event, and as it happens I was looking for a photographer to shoot a few of my staff and had not had very much luck.  Valentin offered his services and to be honest I hadn’t ever seen his work before.  Judging by the photo above, I think it speaks for itself.

As far as the cigar is concerned, again that was all Valentin.  “Long cigars, like Clint Eastwood” were his instructions of what I needed to bring.  I’m not a cigar smoker, but I think I pull it off fairly well with Valentin’s help.  Ironically the second (bottom) cigar photo is my favorite.

-Craig

These and more can be found on Jean Valentin’s blog -
http://www.jean-valentin.com/

www.cuttingedgedjs.com

“Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that’s ours and ours alone. Something that can’t be learned… something that’s got to be remembered.” ~Will Smith as Bagger Vance

Photographer Jean Valentin captures the style of Cutting Edge Entertainment’s Nate Jones with just the authentic swing that Bagger Vance was referring to in this nostalgic photo (above), depicting Nate sporting a stylish and classic Jazz 1930’s/1940’s look, with the Gramophone in the background.

“Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor” ~Kappa Alpha Psi Mantra

Nate, a Fraternity man at West Chester University and the current President of The Black & Latino Greek Council, has been an employee of Cutting Edge Entertainment since his days at Abington High School, where he served as his Senior Class President.  Nate is a born leader and gifted entertainer, having won the ‘Rookie Of The Year’ award his first year with Cutting Edge.

“Confidence is one of the key elements to becoming a great entertainer, and Nate oozes with confidence” ~Pedro Coelho, Creative Director/Cutting Edge Entertainment

It takes a confident man to wear pink, and of all the outfits Nate brought to the photo shoot, the smile on his face shows his response to the chiding, teasing and taunting remarks from his co-workers as Valentin took the pictures.  Nate is seldom bothered by such silliness, and like a true performer, laughs with them during a less serious moment seen in the photo above.

“If I were to choose three words that best describe Nate Jones, they would be style, professionalism, and intelligence.” ~Tony Azzaro, MC, DJ & Dancer/Cutting Edge Entertainment

Whether as a dancer, or an MC, Nate brings ‘it’ to every event.  He works a dance floor with the same strategic approach that a Superbowl Quarterback works a football field, entertaining and charming audiences as if it were second nature.  He also understands the legacy of Cutting Edge, and works hard to deliver the level of excellence expected of a CEE employee.  With hundreds of Philadelphia area events under his belt, from bar/bat mitzvahs to corporate events, Nate is a seasoned veteran and consummate professional.

The combination of Jean Valentin’s artistic eye, and Nate Jones sense of style (and extensive wardrobe) made for quite a photo shoot.  Thank you Valentin for these beautiful photos, and more we will be posting in the upcoming weeks.

Photos by Jean Valentin – http://www.jean-valentin.com/

Valentin on twitter

Nate on twitter

www.cuttingedgedjs.com