When you mention The Jaggerz to a Pittsburgher, chances are that person will burst into a chorus of `THE RAPPER`.

The Jaggerz are a blue-eye soul band known for their rich vocals and soulful grooves. The legendary Philadelphia International team of Gamble and Huff produced The Jaggerz first album 'Introducing The Jaggerz' in 1969. It's an R&B classic featuring Jimmie Ross singing the Steals Brothers 'Gotta Find My Way Back Home'. (The Steals Brothers later wrote "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" for The Spinners). The album also features the cuts 'That Why Baby I Love You' and 'Together'. All Music Guide praises the album: "Steeped in R&B, The Jaggerz are absolutely thrilling".

Neil Bogart signed The Jaggerz to his Buddah/Kama Sutra label in 1970 to release the album 'We Went to Different Schools Together' and the smash hit 'THE RAPPER' that rose to No. 1 on the Record World charts and No. 2 on Billboard charts and went Gold selling 2.5 million copies. Dick Clark featured The Jaggerz on American Bandstand. Fans around the country saw the band perform on their national tours. Two additional tracks 'What A Bummer' and 'I Call My Baby Candy' reached the Billboard Hot 100 and the album achieved 62 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. The haunting tune 'Memoirs of a Traveler' written by The Jaggerz has become an R&B classic sampled by Wiz Khalifa, The Game, Slum Village and other hip hop artists.

The band has been featured in articles in 'People Magazine', 'They Came to Play', 'Celebrate the 70's', 'Escort Magazine', "Cigar Lifestyles', and 'In-Tyme Magazine'.

The Jaggerz disbanded in 1975 and members went on to successful careers as solo artists and members of national recording acts. Original members Jimmie Ross and Benny Faiella reunited The Jaggerz for performances in 1989. They released the albums 'And the Band Played On' in 1998 and 'Re-Rapped by Request' in 2001. Today The Jaggerz continue to perform their heartfelt soulful sounds with founding members Jimmie Ross and Benny Faiella along with Hermie Granati, Dennis McAbee, Paul Martello and Chris Patarini. 'The Walk' is the first single release from their new album co-produced by Jimmie Ross, Hermie Granati and Grammy winner Jay Dudt due out summer of 2014.

One of Pittsburgh's Music Legends