Fordham University Masthead Logo DigitalResearch@Fordham Oral Histories Bronx African American History Project 3-19-2009 Byas, John and Danny Martinez Byas, John and Danny Martinez. Bronx African American History Project Fordham University Follow this and additional works at: https://fordham.bepress.com/baahp_oralhist Part of the African American Studies Commons Recommended Citation Byas, John and Danny Martinez. March 19, 2009. Interview with the Bronx African American History Project. BAAHP Digital Archive at Fordham University. This Interview is brought to you for free and open access by the Bronx African American History Project at DigitalResearch@Fordham. It has been accepted for inclusion in Oral Histories by an authorized administrator of DigitalResearch@Fordham. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Interviewer: Dr. Mark Naison Interviewees: John Byas and Danny Martinez Date: March 19, 2009 [BEGIN TAPE 1; SIDE A] Dr. Mark Naison (MN): Hello, today is March 19th, 2009, we’re here at Fordham University with deejay Jazzy Jay who is one of the famous pioneering Bronx deejays. Who has traveled all over the world with his music but I’ve also just found out he is a professional union carpenter who’s worked in some of the biggest projects in New York and has had a very interesting life. So we’re going to start with the beginning. Could you please say your name and spell it for us, your non-deejay name? John Byas (JB): My government status is—I hope ya’ll can hear—is Juan John Byas, B-Y-A-S. Basically I grew up, you know what I’m saying, lived life to the fullest and I’m here right now trying to just--.