The Cover Series

A Celebration of Phenomenal Women Icons of Jazz Worth Checking Out

2018-03-09T00:13:00.001-08:00

If you love a good jazz cover then you might enjoy this upcoming concert.

Stephanie JNote will be in concert at Roosevelt Public Library and you should go. It is going to be an unbelievable afternoon of fun and laughter with a beautiful cast of people, all coming together on one stage to celebrate some phenomenal women icons of jazz. Specifically Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan.

Join the JNote Sextet

Charles Bartlett (Trumpet)
Daniel Dalelio (Piano)
JNOTE (Vocals)
Herb Lewis (Saxophone)
Napoleon Revels-Bey (Drums)
Rachiim Sahu (Bass)

And special guests JaZz E Matt Dalthannette Munlin Stacey Haughton and Wayne Holmes.

This show will be held this Saturday, March 10, 2018 from 2PM to 3:30PM at

Roosevelt Public Library
27 West Fulton Avenue
in the Roosevelt section of Long Island, NY

Exit 21 off the Southern State
Free Admission. Free Parking Available.

Hope that you can make it for what Stephanie calls, "And Then There Were the Ladies of Jazz; Women's History Month Celebration. It's gonna be so much fun.

Check out a sample of what you might see live if you attend the concert. It's a cover of Duke Ellington's "Caravan" performed live with JNote Quintet at Club Bonafied in New York, NY.

Mike Benjamin (Bass)

Danne Dalelio (Piano)

Stephanie Jeannot (Vocals)

Herb Lewis (Saxophone)

Napoleon Revels-Bey (Drums)

https://youtu.be/D06ciJSsFQw

JazzEMatt Performs Cover of "Been So Long"

2017-03-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

It is not everyday that you hear a great cover of a classic Anita

Baker tune, and then you come across people like New York's own

JazzEMatt, flexing his vocals to put his magic on the stage.

Check out this cool cover of Anita Baker's "Been So Long"

performed by JazzEMatt at Moda Grill located in the Jamaica

section Queens, NY.

Look out for this dope artist, coming out with his original project

soon and performing in and around New York.

I Only Have Eyes For You

2017-02-28T10:04:00.001-08:00

The song "I Only Have Eyes For You" may have been written by Harry Warren and Al Dublin in 1934, but it still retains its beauty in the present day.

The popular romantic jazz song or standard, has been covered by many artists since the day that it was introduced to the world in the film Dames, including recently at a celebration of music concert at Brooklyn's Medgar Evers College by the Medgar Evers College Jazz Ensemble which is directed by Professror Roman Mitchell and features a plethora of the colleges students and graduates.

This rendition is directed by the scholar and also features Mitchell on trumpet, Stephanie Jeannot on vocals, Steven Lawrence on piano, and Nathaniel Manning on drums.

Why Adele's Mishap While Covering George Michael's Tune Made Me Happy

2017-02-13T09:13:00.001-08:00

Were you like me last night, bounded by emotion while watching the Grammy Awards last night?

Somehow the monumental force of love creeped in and I felt this synchronicity with the screen. I will admit that I am probably with Kanye West’s ideas of who deserves the trophy and usually do not watch the award show at all for that simple reason. But I felt that there were many moments that were beautiful beyond reckoning.

Adele swept up a few ideas that I loved. The biggest night of music started with a performance by Adele and she enchanted the crowd by simply singing without all the theatrics proving that she is a real singer and does not need much more than her voice to be in harmony with the people in her surroundings. They felt what she had to give because she really sang her song with pure emotion and meant every word.

But I found immeasurable comfort in who she is as an individual when she started to sing her tribute to George Michael. As she sang the cover of George Michael’s “Fast Love,” she realized she messed up by singing in the wrong key. She stopped the band, recognized her mistake before the more than a million viewers and started the song over to do the job that she was supposed to do.

We live our lives in recurring rhythms. We get up, try and then if we fail, we are hit with snowballs of commentaries about it that isn’t entirely fair but true. It is not normal for us to see someone humble enough to admit, hey, I’m not doing this thing right. Can we try it again? And then she tried it again and nailed it. She decided not to feel vulnerable and alone in her mistake on stage. She carved into her ego for another opportunity and got out of the heat that she felt that she was in. Many of us watching stared in disbelief. I felt a tinge of sadness for her though I also felt like getting out of my seat and dancing like a jitterbugger at Duke’s Place thinking of how she commanded the moments to follow. She showed herself as human and that is what made the show for me.

Speaking of dancing like a jitterbugger, maybe you are interested in getting into the jazz dance experience. Check out this cool video of dancing and The Harlem Swing Dance Society grooving to jazz sounds by the JNote Band. https://youtu.be/0DMMHXwhylY

If you understand the moves that these dancers are doing, this is what it felt as an individual who steps up to the plate and sometimes fouls out felt like. Adele proved that there is nothing wrong with taking a second chance at hitting a home run. The difference is, she did on the wildest night of music. This song was about the wildest joints in town during the jazz era when Duke Ellington was feeding up chocks full of dreams.

Fine Art Singers of New York "O Come All Ye Faithful"

2016-12-19T22:42:00.000-08:00

Under the baton of conductor and director, Dr Verna Green,

the Fine Art Singers of New York

(FASONY) sings a rendition of "O

Come All Ye Faithful" arranged by

Lee Holdridge at the 2016

Handel's Messiah Sing-All

performed at St Pauls United

Methodist Church in Brooklyn, NY.

Earl Alexander . . . Tenor

Laurel Bailey . . . Alto

Aubrey Baker . . . Bass-Baritone

Kalita Black-Morel . . . Alto

Janet Bruce . . . Soprano

Monica Goodridge . . . Sooprano

Maridah Green . . . Soprano

Marolyn Green . . . Alto

Olivia Hall . . Alto

Cliff Hicklin . . . Tenor

Clinton Ingram . . . Tenor

Veronica Jackson . . . Alto

Hugh Johnson . . . Tenor

Beverly Joseph . . . Soprano

Oliver Keith . . . Tenor

Dorcia McDuffie . . . Alto

Jackie McKenzie . . . Soprano

Emmanuel Obi . . . Tenor

Roger Patten . . . Bass

Karmesha Peake . . . Contralto

Balfour Peart . . . Bass

Mary Prime-Nelson . . . Soprano

Napoleon Revels-Bey . . . Timpani

Opal Salmon . . . Soprano

Austin Sarjeant . . . Bass

Waldo Waterman . . . Bass

Amy White . . . Alto

Jeanine Williams . . . Soprano

Linda T Williams . . . Alto

Sophie Williams Johnson . . . Estey-Burke Pipe Organ

If you have a character like mine, then you love the songs of

the holidays and enjoy listening to them and singing along.

With your own soulful embellishments, why don’t you join in

the joyous caroling of FASONY, as we celebrate this 2016

season of Christmas. Here is the link:

https://youtu.be/oYK4d9Eb5JU

Chestnuts Roasting on a Professor Roman G Mitchell Trumpet Call

2016-12-10T20:28:00.002-08:00

Most people refer to the song as CHESTNUTS. Perhaps it is because the iconic Christmas carol that everyone has grown to love begins with the word chestnuts.

The song, more commonly known as THE CHRISTMAS SONG was written in 1945 by Bob Wells and Mel Torme. It touched hearts mainly because of its feel good nature. One could just sink into the sound and melt without even joining into the chorus; though, once you hear the song, you are tempted to sing-along. Do you feel the same way?

A host of individuals have covered this tune, adding their own flair of soulfulness from their little corner of creativity, to the joyous tune.

I invite you all to check out the beautiful, instrumental rendition of this tune performed by the Medgar Evers Jazz Ensemble featuring

Nathaniel Manning . . . Drums
Professor Roman Mitchell . . . Trumpet
Steven Lawrence . . . Piano

We are well on our way within the 25 days of Christmas. Tomorrow marks the second week of Advent and today just seems like the perfect day to enjoy
some holiday cheer.

Check out the very cheerful and wonderful rendition of
THE CHRISTMAS SONG aka "Chestnuts" here: https://youtu.be/NhlFl_dX148

Teach Me Tonight covered by the Medgar Evers Jazz Ensemble featuring Jovann Alexis Augustin

2016-12-09T11:21:00.000-08:00

Have you heard this cool rendition of the Gene De Paul's and Sammy Cahn's 1953 jazz standard by the Medgar Evers College Jazz Ensemble featuring vocalist Jovann Alexis Augustin?

This song was performed by this lively and very engaging group live at Megar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY.

Check it out here: https://youtu.be/lrSVRX2PrOU

Medgar Evers Jazz Ensemble "Spring Affair" Recap, Now available on Soundcloud

2016-05-03T09:23:00.001-07:00

In April, during Jazz Appreciation Month, the Medgar Evers Jazz Ensemble did a live performance; "A Spring Affair," where they serenaded Medgar Evers College students and faculty with a series of songs from the Great American Song Book and also from popular culture.

The performance was about an hour long and featured singers and musicians of the group who contributed to the event that took place in the welcome center located in the Bedford Avenue building of Medgar Evers college in Brooklyn, NY.

An excerpt from the show was aired on April 10, 2016 on WNYE 91.5FM on Jazz on the JNote show which is hosted and produced by Stephanie Jeannot. If you dd not get a chance to hear this program, you can now listen to it on soundcloud at https://soundcloud.com/stephanay-jnote/01-jazz-on-the-jnote-41016

Living Life Like It's "Golden"

2016-01-28T11:03:00.001-08:00

Life has its ups and downs but if you can say you had more ups than downs in your life, then you are like me.

Jill Scott was right; we ought to take our freedoms and live life like its "Golden" because any other way would make life a drag. And to have been able to use my freedom to sing about it in this cover was meaningful. Music is said to be like your communication with God or your prayer and it really is a spiritual experience to let your soul ring; especially when live music is involved.

"I'm living my life like its Golden" and I'm thankful for the blessings of each moment. God is awesome. Please check out my cover on YouTube of Jill Scott's amazing and very inspiring tune here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THNFaccltsk&feature=share

Thank you for checking out my blogpost.

Cover of Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World"

2015-06-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

Ken Burns said, “Louis Armstrong is quite simply the most important person in American music. He is to 20th century music (I did not say jazz) what Einstein is to physics.” His music has that ability to influence a person’s playing and their mind.

He was a native New Yorker who lived in the Corona section of Queens, NY and one of the most significant things about this jazz great to me was that of all the thing is life (the music, the traveling all over the world, his family), what made his world wonderful were the children in the neighborhood running to him and greeting him as Uncle Louis when he came home from touring. After hearing that story at one of the many tours offered at his home, now a museum in Corona, NY, “What A Wonderful World” became one of my favorite tunes.

My story is a little different though. I was invited to perform at a Leukemia Foundation Fundraiser hosted by Roxanne Productions and it made me consider a few things. To have everything and complain is selfish. When I say everything, I mean good health. Once you lose your health, you lose everything. But then to not be in the greatest of help, having to deal with hospital visits and radiation therapy everyday and to make it a cause to benefit others, is going beyond yourself and instead not just drowning in the effects of something but becoming a cause for change.

To see an event like this and to know that people are so beautiful to do things like this, in my opinion, makes the world wonderful. For that reason, I performed and dedicated to this song for the fight and for the cause. What a wonderful world it truly is to still be able to raise up the name of Jesus and bless him the only way a person knows how, in good times and in bad. Thankful, for the opportunity of being part of this awesome event.

Please check out the video here:

Cover of "Take the A Train"

2015-05-17T16:41:00.002-07:00

A cover song is a song that was created by and performed by another artist that is reinterpreted by someone else.

Jazz artists created blueprints of what jazz music is and decades later, singers and musicians remain entrenched in history when sharing tunes, many of which are known as jazz standards, with an interpretation of one's own.

There are so many jazz standards that can be added to a repertoire, some of which I am just discovering as I read the book "Jazz Standards" by Ted Gioia which is sort of like an A to Z guide of
standards. Gioia shares the best versions that were ever released and performed of each.

The last few months have been very interesting. I have always loved to sing and always sang with a passion within, but had very little vocal or music training. I guess there is a stubbornness that goes along with a genuine love to sing and liking how the sound is released but without any structure or true knowledge of the theoretical values of music. Then I came across Jazz Mobile and found that musicology is fun. It is eye opening and really has enriched my life. So thankful for the opportunity.

A few things I learned:

- I do not know everything about music
- There is more to singing then singing
- Knowledge is power
- Theory in music is important
- I need to listen more than sing
- Listen a lot to other artists
- Jazz has so much history and I am a part of its culture

In listening more, I have found that there are no limits to versions and interpretations of a song. Not one person sings it the same. And with every version, there is something to love so much that you may even add a bit of it to your way of interpretation.

Such was the case for my performance of "Take the A Train" at the Jazz Mobile Student Recital/Award Ceremony at the end of the three moth jazz workshop I was blessed to participate in. I admit; I find myself listening to on singer more than any other. And in that listening, I lack knowledge on how other singers did it. Then I nominated myself to sing a song at the recital and the student rehearsal, I took it upon myself to listen to five different versions back-to-back and on repeat mode. I listened to both instrumental and vocal jazz versions.

Still not a perfect version, but glad I as able to try it and do some improv. Please watch my performance with the students of Jazz Mobile, performed at Wadleigh at our end-of-program recital. How cool that even our recital performance was still somewhat in rehearsal or preparation mode with guidance and direction from our teachers.

Thank you for checking out my blog post!

A Peaceful Protest: "On My Way" by Ken Bogan

2014-12-03T23:20:00.002-08:00

Every Wednesday night is jazz night at E Savoy Lounge located at 2192 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, NY.

Hosted by the Ken Bogan Trio, the music fills the beautiful atmosphere with love and excitement. From 8PM to 11PM, expect to hear some of the best jazz standards from the voice of Pastor Ken Bogan who has somewhat of a likeness of the late Frank Sinatra. But being a pastor, he also adds some Gospel jazz making patrons interested in seeing what this crooner will do next because one never knows when they enter into the big glass doors.

Like any other night, Wednesday, December 3, 2014 was a night when vocal jazz romanticizes the ears of everyone willing to listen. The Ken Bogan Trio which includes Bogan on vocals, Kim Clarke on bass and Danny Dalileo on piano cruised into musical heights of beauty.

But what made this night different was that from the stage of this cozy Brooklyn venue, Bogan used it to do his own little peaceful protest in support of the protestors making their voices heard about our judicial system.

He sang a wonderful cover of Mahalia Jackson's "On My Way" and I'd like to invite you to check out his positive message vesselled through voice and music. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHoy8gsuZSg

Thank you for checking out my blog post!

Our Love is Here to Stay

2014-10-26T20:40:00.000-07:00

Jazz is such a wonderful artform.

The music and the colors of jazz; seems almost like a rainbow with shooting stars in the night after a rainstorm when the sky opens up and leaves you with a token of beauty to dwell within.

You can go to a club and enjoy live jazz music almost every single night in New York City; and not just in Manhattan, but in the other boroughs as well.

This past Monday, October 20, 2014 at For My Sweet Garden and Event Space/Kalahari Gallery located at 1103 Fulton Street in Brooklyn, NY, folks comfortably gathered in to take in a live performance by the Aqua Ninjas band lead by phenomenal bassist Kim Clarke. The night was filled with music by notable artists as George Duke, Eddie Jefferson, Cole Porter and more.

While guests were mingling away and enjoying the sounds, the band invited them to the stage to join into the musical extravaganza. Dalthanette Mulin definitely shined her light by adding a beautiful stroke of her energy to the night with her cover of one of the greatest jazz standards in history. "Our Love is Here to Stay" was written by George Gershwin and the lyrics by Ira Gershwin" Please check out the live footage of her performance on youtube. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwEI_97gKtk

"The truest expression of a people is in its dance and music." - Agnes de Mille

Who Do You Love

2014-10-25T23:57:00.000-07:00

My name is Stephanie Jeannot and I am a singer, songwriter and performing artist from Brooklyn, NY. It is always fun when I can get onto any stage and sing any song that I have either come to know and love or that I learned to love after writing and producing an original song.

What a day it was to be on the big stage situated inside of Six Flags Great Adventures Theme Park where the COBANY celebrated their annual family day hosted by Norman Seabrook. Together with the ATM Band, we provided a portion of the musical entertainment and it was so live.

Other performing acts included the legendary Force MDs, the doo-wop group Legacy, Singer Bobby Wall, Comedians Purnell Halloway and Talent, and rapper Fat Joe.

Great stage! Wonderful crowd! Exceptional soundmen! And yes, the song selections we decided to work with was wonderful. One of those tunes was an old classic by Bernard Wright entitled "Who Do You Love."

It's a great tune. It's funky and the groove is really nice. And so, we got onto the band stage and as part of the celebration, we performed this song. Please check out the YOUTUBE clip from the September 19, 2014 performance of the cover of "Who Do You Love" performed live at Six Flags Great Adventures. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzw0a5ivwJI

Thank you for taking the time to read my blogpost and for watching my YouTube link. I truly appreciate your support. God bless you and have an amazing week.

Cover of "You Send Me"

2014-09-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

Sam Cooke popularized it and Rachelle Ferrelle added a taste of honey to it and made it even more beautiful, jazzy and sassy. I'm talking about the tune "You Send Me."

A nice ballad when sung as one and when turned into a swing tune, a grooving melody. Either way it is beautiful and I enjoy the listen.

It was one evening on the North side of Long Island when the band I was working with introduced me to the song. I had never sang it and barely heard it once. Crazily, the first version I'd ever listened to was Rachelle's, but they played Sam Cooke's version and asked me to sing it. You know what I did that night right? I went home, did some homework and now, it is one of my favorite songs to sing.
I love the lyrics, the attitude and that there is room to improvise over it.

The other night, I stopped by Essence Bar in Brooklyn. I had already put the idea of going there out my head because it was kind of late and I almost did not make it, but I decided to stop by for a short minute to show some birthday love to my friend and got a chance to rock on the mic with the Jimmy Hill and the Black Ivory Band. When they asked for my song selection, I chose, "You Send Me!" Glad to have found out the musicians all knew the song and were able to swing it. And so, I performed it there and had a great time doing it.

I would like to invite you to check out the complete video of my performance of the cover of "You Send Me." Here is the link:

Thank you for checking out my blogpost!

Please Vote for Me in the Sarah Vaughan Internation Singing Competition

2014-08-16T23:55:00.000-07:00

I love Jazz music and have been truly inspired by so many jazz artists that have come and graced the world with their wonderful talents. Sarah Vaughan is definitely one of those artists.

Her voice is da bomb. She has such an incredible range and her vocal stylings are fantastic. Some of the riffs that you hear in her songs, you do not hear from any other vocalist's voice. I love the depth of her voice and I like her approach a lot.

Often times, I find myself doing searches on artists or singing opportunities on Google. And surprisingly, I came across the Sarah Vaughan International Singing Competition and so decided to join in. For one, Sarah Vaughan has the biggest playlist of songs on my IPOD. I could listen to her voice and sing along with her all day and never get tired. Her songs and the way she sings them always makes me feel like getting on my feet and singing; wherever I am.

So when I went to the Indaba Music site and saw that this competition was live and on-going, I decided that it would only be right to honor such a wonderful singer as the Divine One.

The contest directs each singer to upload three selections that Sarah Vaughan sang by either downloading the track made available to competitors or some other suggested songs featured on a PDF file to choose from.

I'd like to invite you today to listen to y submissions and please if you listen and you liked what you heard, vote. The only way for me to advance to the next round is by the votes of anyone willing to vote for me. I hope you will! Here are the links:

What Is This Thing Called Love https://www.indabamusic.com/opportunities/sarah-vaughan-international-jazz-vocal-competition-2014/submissions/7dfe51ca-257f-11e4-a0d0-22000b300299

Tenderly https://www.indabamusic.com/opportunities/sarah-vaughan-international-jazz-vocal-competition-2014/submissions/9f9ae646-257e-11e4-ad7b-22000b238357

I Can't Give You Anything But Love https://www.indabamusic.com/opportunities/sarah-vaughan-international-jazz-vocal-competition-2014/submissions/371c2f62-257e-11e4-816c-22000b2808b7

Thank you in advance for voting!

Cover of Mother's Finest "Baby Love" by Eric's Top Groove featuring Stephanie J at Farafinas

2014-06-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

God is always working on my behalf and opening doors to great opportunities for me.

For instance, I was blessed with the opportunity to perform live at the YSYM Showcase at Farafinas in Harlem, NY with Eric's Top Groove.

Eric Durham is a wonderful guitarist who always adds the right amount of funk to any song that he plays. Kind of cool to work with him whenever and wherever it is.

Together, we did a series of old school and new school. The event was in honor of music from the seventies and eighties. How perfect was it to add to the set list, my favorite song; Mother's Finest's Baby Love. It is funky and I love Joyce Kennedy; one of my favorite entertainers because she kills it when in a live setting and if you have never had the opportunity to see her perform, please log on to youtube and type in Mother's Finest.

June is Black Music month, a month to celebrate music of old and new and to honor those who have inspired and contributed to the form of art that we love so much. I'd like to start this month by honoring my favorite song and would like to share with you our performance at Farafinas: A cover of Baby Love recorded by OMG Entertainment. Please check it out here:

Thank you for watching. For more videos, please visit my youtube channel at www.youtube.com/sj1and0

A Tribute to Billie Holliday

2014-04-08T03:45:00.001-07:00

A tribute to Billie Holiday (A poem)

( (c) by Stephanie Jeannot)

Eleanora Fagan

Started sangin

While a lil thang

She had that swing

And all that jazz and blues

And the fanciest poppin shoes

And a white gardenia

A Billy Holiday signature

Creative and vivacious

Added her own touch

To standards and poems

U2 described her as the Angel of Harlem

And dem Gershwin tunes

Or that song "Blue Moon"

And "God Bless the Child"

On April 7, 2014 would've been 99

Thankful she shared

this that and those

And her singing of the poem

"Strange Fruit" by Abel Meeropol

Added a sophisticated touch to songs

That even now have us be-bopping along

With that raspy sound

The diva won over crowds

Billie Dove

Happy birthday to you in heaven up above

(She did inspire something in my life which has also become part of me as it was in her. Flowers in my hair! If it's not a flower, it's a hat with a flower on it. All I know is I dig her style. So much that it's a part of mine:

Thanks for reading my poem. Have a great day.)

Btw. . .

If you never heard The song Strange Fruit, first read the poem written by Abel Meeropol in the 1930s and then follow the link to a YouTube clip of Billie's performance of it:

Strange Fruit

By Abel Meeropol

"Southern trees bear a strange fruit,

Blood on the leaves

And blood on the root,

Black body swinging

In the southern breeze,

Strange fruit hanging

From the poplar trees.

Pastoral scene of the gallant south,

The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,

Scent of magnolia

Sweet and fresh,

And the sudden smell of burning flesh!

Here is a fruit fir the crows to pluck,

For the rain to gather,

For the wind to suck

For the sun to rot,

For a tree to drop

Here is a strange and bitter crop

And here is the link: http://youtu.be/h4ZyuULy9zs

Forever Love

2014-04-05T09:40:00.001-07:00

Still remarkable to me how love like that of my parents still remain through thick and thin, seasons of growth and regardless of changes in life or imperfections. Years never seem to grow old but the two individuals grow bolder in love and continue on through life as destiny suggested. This poem is dedicated to longevity.

Forever Love

Love is meant to be celebrated

especially if the romance is heaven sent

like a relationship that lasts forever;

time seems to only get sweeter

as the days go by.

So like birds of a feather you fly

on a journey of forever; two of a kind.

From sunrise to sunrise; timeless you shine

as one with love forever on your side,

as God intended.

The following is a video clip of a celebration of love. After 20 years of marriage, the wife dedicated a live performance of their wedding song, Anita Baker's Sweet Love, to her husband. Please check out the YouTube link here: http://youtu.be/YfGoaO2gqa8

Day Two: Doctor's Orders (poem)

2014-04-02T11:40:00.001-07:00

Day two of National Poetry Month and I’m fueled with a poem and hope that you’ll desire to read it; for it came to my heart inspired by life’s trials.

Doctor’s Orders

The doctor told me life is but over.

Maybe I heard the wrong words wash over.

I seem to take things in like a coper.

I’ve been known to be an innovator.

Create in me a cause to want to be creative.

To the lines of a page, I am a native.

Life, as short as it is, is what you make it.

Love never made me feel oh so naked.

I walk with my heart like an outfit in fashion.

My face, so expressive, I emote a caption.

Whoever said life was to be approached in caution,

probably never purchased emergency medicine that had to be bought in an auction.

By medicine, I mean getting out there and letting go

For what tomorrow brings one may never know.

Today I awaken to the mighty star’s glow;

but what if there is no tomorrow?

So I asked him, “Doc! How should this knowledge be applied?

Should I let it wash over me like a tide?

When the wind blows should I take it for a ride?

Or is this my moment to let out a cry?

But then, I realized what he really had said.

For words, depending on how you cook them, is what you’re spoon fed.

But if you’ve envisioned tomorrow, dancing in your head,

you should let your life be spirit lead.

So I went to the pharmacy to fill my prescription

with no desire to swallow pills as per my doctor’s direction.

For I know what is for me, in my own dimension

but how could I be left with all these unanswered questions?

Like, why should I be the one to go without my smile?

And why am I to answer sad calls arrowed at me when dialed?

And why feel it in my heart for all this time?

And why are these dreams so deep within me that they run in my bile?

Sour sop was one of the meds I was to take

But singing seemed to be the sweeter healing to bake;

especially when it came from the pen when my mind spake

as if it were a hot summer day and the page was a refreshing lake.

Now on the follow-up visit to hear what doc has to say;

a check-up of some sort to put me in my place

before my living comes to one that is erased

and the many mansions of God stand before my face.

Words can tend to puncture holes in a shadow

and the circling of a message can dim the sun’s glow

so much that the stage that awaits for one to put on a show

can change its song and dance to a flow God enables.

What will be the healing over my own fate?

Because with tomorrow, I planned an intimate date

And hope to keep it and let faith sizzle in my plate

And choose today to live because even still, tomorrow might stand me up and never make its way.

Thank you for reading my poem. With all the ups and downs of life, sometimes you are left uneasy. Especially when faced with situations not used to. God is still awesome and makes miracles happen; perfecting what we have come to see as imperfect. As long as there is faith, there is a way.

With that in mind, please check out a cover of Yolanda Adams' "Open Up My Heart" performed with Ladeezinthehouse Band here: http://youtu.be/i1kOZPvxoDA

Prayerfully it will inspire at least one person who takes a gander at it.

Peace and blessings!

Happy Birthday Sarah Vaughan!!!

2014-03-27T00:43:00.001-07:00

That singer and musician with the incredible range who inspired the world with her amazing voice and 4-octave range, was also known as the incredible Sarah Vaughan.

90 years ago today, March 27th, the divine one was born and throughout her life, used her beautiful talent to croon songs that we all have grown to love and that still play on many of the world's jazz radio stations today. I think the songs I appreciate the most or at least the jazz vocal works I heed the most are pieces from Sarah Vaughan's huge collection of music. That is actually how I came to know that it was the birthday of one my favorite singers in the world.

Every Wednesday night is jazz night at the Proper Cafe located at 217-01 Linden Blvd in Cambria Heights, NY and like most nights, I am blessed with opportunity to vocalize a few jazz tunes that have touched my heart; often a tune that Sarah Vaughan did a rendition of. Last night was no different. I heard The Divine one's version of "Black Coffee" and instantly fell in love with it and wanted to cover it. And I did!

Jazz night usually ends around midnight and that's when I have to drive back to Brookkyn, NY. While driving, music keeps me energized to find my way back home safely. Who would have thought I would have heard her best rendition of "I Cried For You" spinning on WBGO and also find out that today would've been Sarah Vaughan's 90th birthday? Blessed to know and thankful to be able to celebrate her life and her legacy, even in this minimal way.

Her gift was amazing and I am so very inspired by her ability. How many singers you know that can hit the types of notes that she was hitting back in the forties? So classy and great stage personality! Her voice was definitely an instrument and she used it well. And her scatting; incredible. Thankful to know of such an awesome singer and to be able to listen to her recordings and to even attempt to do some of the things she was doing vocally.

For instance; I went down to Smalls Jazz Club in Greenwich Village, NY for a jazz vocal workshop with Marion Cowings and was so inspired by her rendition of "Just One of a Those Things," that I tried to sing it. Check out the live footage of it here: http://youtu.be/zt1t0Z51_uc

Blessed by her legacy. I think I will be going on a Sarah Vaughan musical escapade, listening to her instrument, the whole day long.

Happy 90th birthday way up there in heaven! RIP Sarah Vaughan and thank you!!!

75th Anniversary of Blue Note Records Celebration with EpistrophyEnsemble

2014-03-24T23:04:00.001-07:00

Monday, March 24, 2014 is a day to remember. Especially for those who were fortunate enough to be at York College in Jamaica, NY for the 75th anniversary of the Blue Note Record Label featuring the Epistrophy Ensemble. The event was held in the lobby of York College's Performing Arts Center and the music was beautiful.

The exciting musical event started with John Coltrane's Blue Train, and continued With Dexter Gordon's Cheesecake with a tenor sax feature by Omar Daniels. Followed by that was John Coltrane's Lazy Bird featuring alto sax player Carl Bartlett Jr.

Other notable songs were Horace Silver's Song for my Father, Freddy Hubbard's Up a Jump Spring and Wayne Shorter's Speak No Evil just to name a few.

What was great about the event was that it was more than just the music but also featured educational components about the Blue Note Records itself including the who, what, when, where and why about the label. The sound, the atmosphere, the knowledge; awesome!

Tribute to Whitney Houston

2014-02-11T22:54:00.000-08:00

Whitney Houston really touched my heart when she sang those million songs that she was born to sang. It is almost as if she was a family member because her music and life was part of my household and filled my life ever since I was a kid and still has yet to part from my company.

The day she died was a day that I will never forget! I felt as if music would never be the same. From collages to slideshows and singing her songs. I don't remember sleeping that night even for a wink. I guess you can call me a true fan of hers. She was definitely one of my favorites to listen and learn from.

What a better way to celebrate her life on the second anniversary of her death, then to participate in a tribute to Whitney Houston which also happened to be a singing competition.

I considered all her songs that I loved. I guess “Saving All MY Love” has always been a favorite of mine; but I always cover that song. I wanted to do something I do not usually do. And so, I went with “All At Once.”

What a fantastic night of music tonight by Track 1 Entertainment and hosted by Radio Personality, Barry Mason as a tribute to Whitney Houston with a singing competition. It was really great to join in with other artists and sing all of our favorite Whitney songs. I was happy to be amongst wonderful talent and really happy to have been chosen as the winner of the competition. Wow!!!

Here is the video footage taken at Track 1 Entertainment’s event.

Thank you for all of your support. God is awesome!

In Rehearsal Mode: Sing Away Snow Day

2014-01-22T18:58:00.001-08:00

All snowed in here in New York City.

I hate the cold and as fiery hot as music is to me, it definitely has the potential for warming me up. You probably didn't know this but music is my boyfriend. He treats me right and makes me feel so beautiful. You are what you attract and music is truly in its entirety the epitome of pulchritude.

So on this cold day, I decided to do the thing I loved doing the most; singing.

What a perfect day to sing the tunes of a person I started listening to when I was barely in grade school and loved all my life. I think when Whitney Houston died, I cried like a baby. She was definitely a favorite.

Today, I was inspired to practice some Whitney songs because I just recently entered into a contest sponsored by Track 1 Entertainment called "So You Think You Can Sing Contest, Tribute to Whitney" that will be held on February 11, 2014 from 9PM to Midnight at Brooklyn Night located at 497 DeKalb Avenue in Brooklyn, NY.

If other true Whitney fans are amongst those in the competition, then it is going to be a really good competition because Whitney was definitely someone to exemplify as a singer. Hopefully if you are not doing anything that night, you will make it there.

But for now, please check out Episode 3 of Rehearsal Modes of JNote: Sing Away Snow Days" featuring my cover of Whitney Houston's version of the Isley Brothers' "For the Love of You."

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. God bless you!!!

Rehearsal Modes of JNote: Live Till I Die

2014-01-22T00:54:00.000-08:00

I was asked by a friend to give to him a video of myself in rehearsal mode.

LOL! Who knew it would turn out to be something that got me not only singing covers but also sharing some of my graphic designs. the following video is what a typical rehearsal would be like for me. I come home from my 9 to 5 and get right into it when the opportunity arises.

This video includes two covers. A piece of Kim Burrell's "Since Jesus Came In" and Al Hoffman's "Live Till I Die." Also included is original sounds of music by JNote and Beatlife LI. All art and video by Melodiaz Creations.

God knew exactly what he was doing when he ushered friends into my life. For if it had not been for the inspiration of a good friend, I would have never got the idea of creating the following video blog post. Please watch!!!

Thank you for checking out my blog everybody. I love you with the love of God. Peace and blessings!