Watley, Jody (1959–)

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Watley, Jody (1959–)

African-American pop singer and dancer. Name variations: Shalamar. Born Jan 30, 1959, in Chicago, IL; m. Andre Cymone (musician, div. 1995); children: 2.

As a teen, was a dancer on tv show "Soul Train" (1970s); helped form dance band Shalamar (1977); with group, had such hits as "The Second Time Around," "Right in the Socket," "Make That Move" and "Dancing in the Streets"; performed on Shalamar albums Disco Gardens (1978), Go for It (1981), and The Look (1983); quit band (1984); released eponymous debut solo album (1987), which included hits "Looking for a New Love," "Don't You Want Me" and "Some Kind of Lover," and won Grammy for Best New Artist; released gold album, Larger Than Life (1989), which included hits "Real Love," "Everything" and "Friends"; set up own label, Avitone, and released album Affection (1995); appeared in Broadway production of Grease (1996); released singles "Off the Hook" (1998) and "I Love to Love" (2000).