Based in Santa Monica, California, Jigar Thakarar serves as managing director of marketing and partnerships for MusiCares. In his free time, Jigar Thakarar is an electronic music DJ with an interest in deep house and melodic techno.

A subgenre of electronic dance music, house music originated in Chicago in the early 1980s and is credited to DJ Frankie Knuckles, who used drum machines for a steady beat to build songs around. The term “house music” refers to the ability for DJs to make music in their own homes.

Later house music inspired deep house music, which combines the pulsing beats of standard house music with jazz and funk-inspired harmonies. It also draws inspiration from 1970s soul and often incorporates vocals, unlike traditional house music. Deep house music always uses a 4/4 time signature and a quarter-note kick drum pattern. It also encourages dancing by incorporating a tempo between 110 and 125 beats per minute. Individuals who are more tuned in may also notice that deep house music often features the TR-909 drum machine and the Juno-60 and Jupiter-6 keyboard synths.