When Dolores “DeeJazz” Jackson sings, it is not surprising to peer why her listeners are are dynamically captivated. DeeJazz delivers some thing precise: inspirational, message-wealthy lyrics, against the historical past of a stunning and spiritual, jazz sound. Her voice is as readily exceptional to the human ear as it is definitively, specific. Particularly enticing, every considered one of her songs reveal her ability to easily hit a huge range of octaves. Her debut album, titled, “A Musical Messenger,” has the ability to encourage and rework lives for the more.
Born in Michigan, USA, DeeJazz has spent most of her existence in Detroit. Currently, she makes her domestic in North Carolina. As a college student, she turned into the recipient of lots of dollars in scholarships. The singer/songwriter earned her B.A. In Advertising from University of Detroit, Mercy, and graduated Magna cum Laude.
I currently sat down and became honored with a unprecedented, interior look of this exquisite artist. Her CD, “A Musical Messenger,” has a generous, 14 tracks, and may be purchased at: http://www.Deejazz.Com/
FranBriggs: Good Morning, DeeJazz. Thank you for assembly with me. And, congratulations to your brilliant accomplishment of masterfully blending jazz, inspirational, and religious track.
DeeJazz: Thank you a lot, Fran. It is a pride to be with you.
FB:You produced your own album; was that a hard selection?
DeeJazz: Producing my own album was not at Maya Angelou Quarter all a tough choice. It were a dream of mine for a long term. I were writing songs and gambling them at the piano considering the fact that I changed into 13. So, by the point I produced the album, I had quite some years of writing and recording experience below my belt. But yes; there had been times after I doubted by using capacity to do it by myself. After I completed numerous songs I provided them to a few skilled producers for his or her reviews. One advised me my production wasn’t true enough and that I would need their assist, I sensed their desire for manipulate and, no longer to say, compensation. Another informed me my productions were first rate.
However, by using this time self belief in my writing potential had matured to the factor in which I turned into feeling quite comfortable. Nevertheless, I wanted the reviews of experienced writers/manufacturers. I located out that they’re human beings too.
“I inspire every body that loves actual tune to buy this CD. I am confident that you’ll be uplifted. Musically, everything is there. Whether you are into up-pace, ballads, introspection, inspirational, motivational, jazz, vocals, or instrumental, “A Musical Messenger” has it all!”
– Michael L. Jones Producer/Director, Eye-On-U Productions, N. Hollywood, CA
FB: What are a number of the maximum powerful truths you found about your self after completing your first album?
DeeJazz: One of the most powerful matters I observed about myself after completing this CD was that I could virtually fulfill my lifelong dream to be a composer. It become interesting. Secondly, that I had some thing profitable to provide. For a long term I felt like a failure. After a failed marriage, I changed into suffering financially as a unmarried parent of two small kids and I had no direction for my destiny. Music became always a dream for me, but with little or no encouragement from my family, I felt discouraged. Completing this task taught me that I should accomplish what I placed my mind to as long as I did not allow anything or everybody stop me.
FB: It’s our knowledge which you are an avid reader. How, and whilst did to procure your love for analyzing? And, what books are you reading now?
DeeJazz: My love for reading started after I turned into child while the bookmobile used to return to our community. I loved it! Growing up in Detroit –where not plenty became given to you and now and again things have been stolen from you — I was so impressed that you may borrow books without procuring them. Actually, I’m nonetheless inspired through the library! I move each three weeks and once in a while more than that (snicker).
Right now I’m reading Dr. Maya Angelou’s four-quantity autobiography; also, a ebook titled, Word Smart. It teaches you a way to improve your vocabulary. And, Seth Speaks. It’s a brand new-notion phenomenon written in the early 70’s by Jane Roberts, a female who channeled a non-bodily entity with some effective spiritual records. I also simply completed a terrific, super book referred to as, The Disappearance of the Universe, by using Gary R. Renard. It’s an enlightening examine mostly approximately the miracle of forgiveness. This e book has modified my lifestyles.
FB: Dr. Maya Angelou — an outstanding girl. You genuinely met her, correct? Would you describe the enjoy?
DeeJazz: Yes. I met Dr. Angelou in August of this year. After listening to my CD she invited me to New York to sing for an “open mic” night at Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar. I saw her while she began taking walks down the aisle way. She regarded majestic in her red night get dressed with escorts in the front, and again of her. When she were given close, she smiled and touched me on the shoulder. I felt like I had been touched by an angel. She turned into then taken to a personal area where she could watch the show with the aid of display.
A little at the same time as later her assistant came to Hattie and I and guided us to her desk. She shook our fingers and was extraordinarily gracious and warm. She treated us like we had been royalty. Amazing … Hattie recited one of Dr. Angelou’s rates that had made an impression on her life and Dr. Angelou expounded on it eloquently adding even greater perception. We felt blessed and commemorated to be in her presence. Afterward, I become informed she commented on my overall performance announcing it changed into, “Delightfully impressive.”
FB: What became it like participating along with your sister, Hattie Mae Jackson-Pembrook, as she completed the associate textual content to your album?
DeeJazz: Collaborating with my sister as she wrote the companion textual content, Messages to Awaken yourSelf, changed into a maximum thrilling and worthwhile time. When she became challenged around her capabilities I could encourage and prod her along the way. I knew that she could do it and I reminded her how she were my idea. When I became a teen, Hattie turned into a motivational speaker. I cherished attending her speeches and I heard her say in many instances that she desired to put in writing a ebook. Well, the messages in my songs all came from books/instructions and workshops she had uncovered me to, so I knew this was the suitable possibility for her to jot down her first ebook. After she completed a chapter, I could edit it to our mutual approval. We had minor clashes about which pix to apply, and every so often she lamented: “Another rewrite?” But, we settled them quickly without much dissension.
FB:In the ahead of Hattie’s Book, Messages to Awaken yourSelf, you point out that you experienced mental telepathy with a canine. Was it deliberate?
DeeJazz: Yes, it changed into planned. I don’t know precisely how I discovered it, however I observed the canine may want to hear me once I could “suppose” a command to him. It was a Great Dane. I informed him to stand up and come to me, and he did. Then I told him to go lay down, and he did. After doing this numerous instances I become very surprised and determined I might display my little nine-year-antique neighbor. I stated, “Watch this, I’ll inform him to stand up in my mind and he’s going to.” So, I did, and the dog responded. Then, I gave the mental command to lay down and he accompanied once more. Needless to mention, my little pal was pretty inspired. However, mental telepathy in addition to different so called extra-sensory perceptions, are common place whilst we remove the erroneous perception of ourselves as mere, humans. At that time I have been faithfully practicing for 3 months a effective technique of awakening known as, The Pathway’s, by way of Ken Keyes, Jr. His e-book is titled, Handbook to Higher Consciousness.
FB: Your album continues to obtain raving reviews from the tune enterprise. What kind of reception have you ever had from listeners?
DeeJazz: Frequently, people come to me after performances proclaiming they had been deeply moved or helped in a few way. I were known as “anointed” and those have expressed gratitude that I even have observed my divine calling. I’ve heard human beings say they were helped thru courting issues, recovery from drug and alcohol dependancy as well as money and health problems by my songs. Recently a lady in church informed me that she was managing a situation that she had anticipated to gain her life quite when it got here to a disappointing near. She felt terrible but then speedy determined to search for the best inside the scenario. Instantly, considered one of my songs, Darkest B4 the Dawn, started playing in her head and she or he started out making a song it. She said she knew it turned into a message from God. I’ve been told my songs are healing, uplifting, undying, and one by no means gets bored with listening. I am deeply venerated by means of their remarks and supply credit score where it’s far due, to the Most High.
FB:How long have you ever been writing, arranging and generating your own song? Is it as challenging as it is fun?
DeeJazz: I started out writing poems after I was around 10 years vintage and I started out placing music to them at thirteen. I would play the music at the family piano as I sang the songs. Sometimes I would make up instrumental songs and play them with extreme ardour. I didn’t recognise on the time but it become a way for me to launch anxiety.
Writing tune has been challenging, but often it’s been a laugh. I had track lessons in my lifestyles. But I located the literal writing and reading of musical notes tedious and too technical to contain my interest. I play and write by ear. I listen the songs in my head and then play what I listen. I feel the maximum vital component to find out about songwriting is structure. For example; verse, refrain, verse, refrain, bridge, refrain, … And so forth. There are numerous systems but maximum songs observe the identical simple structure. Once I found out track shape it became less complicated because I knew wherein to position what. What I love most approximately track writing is listening to it grow from what I heard in my head, to what I pay attention outside of it.
FB: Who are the people which you apprehend as your mentors?
DeeJazz: Just lately, Maya Angelou has become one among my mentors. After listening to my CD she took an hobby in me — and I in her. I am getting to know so much from reading her autobiography. She is an terrific lady. She overcame many barriers, one after any other and nonetheless, she rose. I am learning from her instance.
I have constantly favored studying biographies of other songwriters/artists and the use of them as suggestion. I’ve examine about Barry White, Patti Labelle, Barry Gordy, Queen Latifa, Dolly Parton and others.
FB: The lyrics to your music titled, This Gift of Mine, consist of:
Every day is blessing
A present to us with love
But we need to heed
The name to succeed,
That’s our present to God
FB:What would you are saying to the man or woman who is suffering with hearing — or seeing — their “call to be successful?”
DeeJazz: I sense we all have a “calling,” so to speak, for our lives. There is some thing which you were born to do. Hattie states in her ebook that Michael Jordan says he become “born to play basketball.” That might sound frivolous to some, but as every person can attest to, Michael Jordan’s amazing athletic skill is nothing short of superb and would maximum probably be considered a divine present. If someone is struggling with coming across their “call to be successful,” it might be as it’s the factor they have constantly dreamed of, but are most afraid to do.
FB: In her ebook and on her internet site, Hattie shares a touching story on her internet site about her longing for now not handiest a sister — but a companion. Could you summarize it for us?
DeeJazz: I guess it turned into supernatural but a few part of her become watching for me. She was graduating from excessive school after I became born and she truly loved me unconditionally. Growing up I can’t don’t forget one time that she raised her voice to me or made me sense awful about anything. We have constantly been mentally and spiritually near, sharing our love of ideas, self-assist statistics and spirituality. Now, this CD/Book mission is becoming extra a hit than we first of all predicted. We are in the technique of getting ready ourselves for some thing it brings.
FB: Tell us about your cutting-edge and imminent projects.
DeeJazz: Hattie and I are within the making plans stages of a nationwide tour. We’ll be doing a complete level manufacturing/concert. I will sing with a live band/orchestra including history singers. And, at times, it will be followed by interpretive dancers/actors. Hattie will expound with spiritual insights in the course of prolonged instrumental sections of the songs. Also, we will do workshops together with her speaking and my making a song. The contributors get lots of hands-on awakening reports the use of equipment and strategies we’ve got used and which have worked in our personal lives. We’re also making plans every other CD/e-book combination.
FB: That sounds like a marvelous production… In reference to your use of “awakening stories,” could you assert that during our herbal state we are surely blind to, or can we intentionally suppress the Greatness inside us?
DeeJazz: In our without a doubt herbal kingdom, we are wakeful. Awake inside our Spiritual Oneness with the entirety and everyONE. However, in our unnatural nation, which is sort of everybody’s day by day enjoy, we most honestly suppress the Greatness inside us. How many of us suppress popularity, information and forgiveness in ordinary conditions? Most of us, most of the time.
“Awakening” calls for a decision. A decision that announces the manner we were dwelling, isn’t always working. A decision that if “we,” that means, “If I do not take delivery of the duty to alternate it, who will?” In our workshops we are trying to find to inspire an awakening revel in within the contributors for you to have a private come across or a remembrance of what it appears like to be “wide awake.”
FB: Is there some thing you would like to add before we go?
DeeJazz: Lately, I’ve been experiencing severe gratitude. The records that I am being guided to is actually converting my existence experience. The effective thoughts and techniques that I study and practice are what I carry in my songs with the intention to help human beings wake up to their innate divinity. We are non secular beings and till we awaken to this fact, we will continue to be asleep and could now not experience our genuine truth, that’s love.
FB: Thank you, DeeJazz for taking the time to percentage. I really loved my time with you.