Jeffrey Glenn Daniel, born August 24, 1955, better known as Jeffrey Daniel, is an American dancer, singer, songwriter, and choreographer. He is famous as a founding member of the R&B vocal group Shalamar. Jeffrey Daniel is among the judges of the Nigerian Idol series.
Wiki Profile
| Full Name: | Jeffrey Glenn Daniel |
| Date of Birth: | August 24, 1955 |
| Place of Birth: | Los Angeles |
| State of Origin: | Los Angeles |
| Nationality: | American |
| Occupation: | Dancer, Choreographer |
| Net Worth: | $3.5 million |
| Wife/Spouse: | Stephanie Mills (ex) |
Early Life and Education
Jeffrey Daniel was born in Los Angeles in the United States where he was brought up by his parents. He had his early education while growing up in Los Angeles.
Daniel attended a prestigious institution for his high school education before he started his career professionally.
Career
Jeffrey Daniel has been in the entertainment industry for a couple of years and has already created impact with his highly rated dance skills.
He has taught and performed alongside superstars; artists and dancers such Shabba Doo, Geron Casper Candidate, Derek Cooley Jackson/Jaxson, Popin’ Pete, and The Electric Boogaloos.
Jeffrey Daniel debuted on the British television with “the backslide,” a physically demanding dance move that was first used by the dance troupe “The Lockers” and is now more commonly referred to as the “moonwalk,” during a performance of Shalamar’s “A Night to Remember” on Top of the Pops.
The song became popular in 1982, almost a year before Michael Jackson performed the moonwalk on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever television special.
Jeffrey Daniel had performed as a backup dancer on Soul Train, where Michael Jackson was a big fan.
Jeffrey Daniel single out Don Campbell, the creator of the “Locker” dance and one of the initial Soul Train dancers, as a major inspiration.
Additionally, he expresses gratitude to Tyrone Proctor, the foremost “Waack” dancer who taught Jeffrey the “Waacking” dance style, as well as to Cleveland Moses Jr., his Soul Train partner and dancing partner.
The moonwalk was originally seen on American television by Daniel and Geron “Caszper” Candidate and Derek “Cooley” Jackson/Jaxson as they were doing a routine while dressed in all black for Soul Train.
In 1987, Daniel began collaborating with Michael Jackson, who had always admired his dance moves ever since seeing him perform on Soul Train in the 1970s.
He collaborated with Vincent Paterson, the main choreographer, on the “Bad” and “Smooth Criminal” videos, where he also appeared alongside his “dancing brothers,” Geron “Caszper” Candidate and Derek “Cooley” Jackson/Jaxson.
Later, Jeffrey Daniel was used as a choreographic and creative adviser for both his global tours and the video for Ghosts.
Daniel’s knowledge of music and dance was soon put to use when he was hired as a consultant by the record company MJJ Productions, which signed Brownstone, 3T, and Men of Vizion.
Daniel had moved to Japan after leaving the United Kingdom, and Michael Jackson had flown him back to live in the United States.
Jeffrey Daniel currently lives in Lagos, Abuja, London, and Osaka, Japan. He has a fair command of Cantonese and speaks and writes Japanese fluently.
He continues to work alongside some of the biggest names in entertainment to perform, choreograph, produce, and compose.
He has collaborated with Vanessa Williams, Paul McCartney, Babyface, LL Cool J, Sheena Easton, and The Go- Go’s.
He performed live gigs with a revived Shalamar since 2002 and joined Nigerian Idol in 2010 as a judge for three seasons.
Daniel, Howard Hewett, and Carolyn Griffey make up the Shalamar lineup. They still perform together, and in 2017 they were touring the UK.
Jeffrey Daniel Net Worth
Jeffrey Daniel is a popular American dancer, singer, songwriter and choreographer with a net worth of $3.5 million.
Personal Life
Daniel wed American R&B singer Stephanie Mills on June 13, 1980, although the couple eventually got divorced in 1983.
Jody Watley, a former Shalamar bandmate and dance partner, and Jeffrey Daniel had a turbulent relationship that included verbal and physical violence in 2010.
Social Media
- Instagram: @jeffreydanielofficial
- Twitter: @Jeffrey_Daniel
