SHALAMAR Goes Uptown

Wanting to form a vocal/dance group  Shalamar​  was created and founded in 1977  by Don Cornelius​ and partner Dick Griffey for Soul Train Records label.  Originals were popular Soul Train​ dancers  Jody Watley​ Jeffrey Daniel providing instant public recognition and charisma for marketing and promotion for the disco hit "Uptown Festival" with session singer Gary Mumford. 

Don Cornelius to JET Magazine May 1, 1980 "Jeffrey and Jody were two of the most interesting people on the show", Cornelius reveals. "We thought they would fit the image we wanted to create for Shalamar. It's just lucky they could sing."  Read the archived article: JET

Jeffrey Daniel, Jody Watley, Gary Mumford

Laying the foundation of the  legacy Jeffrey Daniel, Jody Watley, Gary Mumford

Gary Mumford, Jody Watley, Jeffrey Daniel make first group appearance on Soul Train, 1977.

Mumford would depart shortly after release of the first SHALAMAR album of the same name "Uptown Festival."

Shalamar Taking It To The Beginning

Original member Jeffrey Daniel and Jody Watley with session singer Gary Mumford "Uptown Festival" , 1977

There have many many lineups for  music group Shalamar ™ beginning in 1977, pictured are the first incarnation. 

Don Cornelius formed Soul Train Records along with Dick Griffey (eventual owner and found of Solar Records). The medley of Motown songs "Uptown Festival" quickly became a disco hit, had been recorded by Mumford and other session singers. The single was produced by Simon Soussan. Needing a fast solution to help promote the single and give Shalamar an instant identity Cornelius handpicked popular Soul Train dancers from the iconic show.  JET Magazine in 1980 "Jeffrey and Jody Watley used to be dance partners..when word trickled down in 1977 that Cornelius and producer Dick Griffey wanted to for a vocal/dance group, the popular couple were natural choices. "Jeffrey and Jody were two of the most interesting people on the show," Cornelius reveals. "We thought they would fit in the image we wanted to create for Shalamar, It's just lucky they could sing." he laughs

Mumford wasn't in the lineup long and quickly departed after a few promotional appearances and one photo session.

SHALAMAR Father's Day

Shalamar fathers (Top row): Gary Mumford, Jeffrey Daniel, Gerald Brown; Bottom row (Howard Hewett, Micki Free and Sydney Justin)  some are even grandfathers (Gary, Jeffrey, Gerald, Howard).

SHALAMAR Originals on Soul Train Perform Uptown Festival

SHALAMAR: Gary Mumford, Jody Watley, Jeffrey Daniel, 1977 debut group performance on Soul Train

SHALAMAR Original Soul Train Records Ad : 1977

SHALAMAR Original Promotional Photo's 1977

the First Appearance on Soul Train as a Group, Jeffrey Daniel, Jody Watley, Gary Mumford Perform for Don Cornelius' Soul Train Records in 1977

Jeffrey Daniel, Jody Watley, Gary Mumford

Jeffrey Daniel, Jody Watley, Gary Mumford

Jeffrey Daniel, Gary Mumford, Jody Watley

SHALAMAR ORIGINAL Promotional Photo 1977 for Soul Train Records

Original Shalamar Promotional Photo, 1977 for Soul Train Records: Gary Mumford, Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniel.

Archive: Getty Images, Echoes