Founded in 1991 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A, Jade is an American R&B group originally formed by Joi Marshall, Angela Slates and Debra Mitchell. After Slates and Mitchell left the group shortly after the group's inception, replaced by Di Reed and Tonya Kelly, the group’s first hit single “I Wanna Love You” from the 1992 comedy film Class Act, charted in the top 10 of the R&B charts. Inspired by jazz, Motown and gospel music, the trio continued to release a series of hit songs, with follow-up single “Don’t Walk Away”, peaking at number 2 and debut album Jade to the Max receiving worldwide acclaim and certified platinum. The trio released their second studio album Mind, Body & Song, with hit singles “5-4-3-2 (Yo! Time Is Up)” nominated for Best R&B Video at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards and “Every Day of the Week” featuring on an episode of Beverly Hills, 90210 (television series). The group continued to appear on film soundtracks including The Sixth Man teaming up with popular female R&B groups including TLC, SWV and En Vogue to record the inspirational theme song to the 1995 film Panther entitled “Freedom”. Pursuing individual careers over the next 7 years, members Joi Marshall and Tonya Kelley regrouped in 2014 with The Voice contestant Myracle Holloway to record the track "Baby Luv” and touring nationally throughout 2021 and 2022.
