JNOTE Music

100 Words For Mom (A Poem)

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Mon, 11 May 2026 02:06:00 +0000

100 Words For Mom (A POEM)

Mothers are magical beings from another planet.

They beam through walls that humans can’t.

They wear the skirts, the dresses, and the pants.

Missile beams eject out of their hands.

Their eyes are radars that do ultraviolet scans.

They tie the strands

of their hair up in a bun.

They take the stars and asteroids out the universe

and serve them for lunch.

They put up their hands to fly to where they need to be

Then eject ten arms out their sides to surround their family.

Yup! That’s mom!

Superbeing. That is her.

Master of the whole entire world.

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Happy Mother's Day to you and to all the mothers; especially mine.

Poetry is my first love. I’ve loved it for my whole life. My writing started with poetry and it is one of the things that make me come alive. If you dug this poem, check out my book of poems:

SONGS FOR MY MOTHER

Get your copy on Amazon here:

https://a.co/d/0gZt4Ktv

Happy Birthday Duke Ellington

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:33:00 +0000

My love for jazz grew precipitously once I heard it for the first time. I love mostly the communal and spiritual appeal of it. It draws people together. It is community. It is culture. And what I have always gotten from jazz music itself was a wealth of innovative sounds from the extraordinary works that they are.

Original art piece "Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn" by Stephanie Jeannot

I can only imagine the hype it must have been back then, to have flocked to the clubs to see Duke Ellington's sizzling stage performances. He played dexterously and dynamically. It must have felt like world class joy to have been in that swirling atmosphere of sound, clothed in a floor length gown or tux to listen intently and to also move your body like the ripples of a lake to Ellington’s magenta piano caresses and the alliance of elite musicians who bonded with him to create the most amazing live sounds.

I find joy in swaying my hips around and around to some of the Ellingtonian classics; in my own little oasis or at a live jazz event. If the music is on, I am bopping to it.

Duke’s string of songs with funky licks and climactic cadences still echoes through my life now. All those intricate patterns that he once played. All the many tempestuous chords and melodic ornamentation that he used to use in the iterations of his work continue to nourish my appetite.

His songs are powerful sounds of revolution. His music carries sounds that blended elements of cultural heritage and pride. Listening to Duke Ellington's songs peppers my day with joy. I might respond with a dance movement or with a simple smile but most of all, I will be met with happy feelings.

Duke Ellington was born on this day on April 29, 1899. Celebrating him and jazz all day. If interested, check out this video of a performance of the Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn tune, “Daydream” on YouTube. Here is the link: https://youtube.com/shorts/jVD4fxnavf0?si=Ugx100pUA2a2Rm9K

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If you liked the photo above that I drew of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn,

perhaps you might also enjoy the drawings featured in my book of drawn images and cartoonesque words, Jazz Toons. Get it here: https://amzn.to/3OvegmU

The Bordentown Porch Fest is This Saturday, May 2, 2026

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:49:00 +0000

There is much to fret about. The streets of Bordentown City will be bustling with fascinating live music to see and to hear as musicians gather on various porches around town sharing their unique talents with all the different people crowding the pavement, interested in indulging.

I gazed lovingly at a few of the acts in previous years and I can still yap about that monumental day excitedly as if the visually engaging live music performances happened in the beauty of yesterday’s sunset.

And here we are approaching the Bordentown Porchfest happening this weekend on Saturday, May 2^nd, 2026 and once again, scores of creatively charged musicians will gather on various porches around town, doing what they love to do most, which is music.

It brings a smirk to my face to say that I will also be performing at Bordentown’s Porchfest this year sharing a collection of both cover tunes and original songs. Meet me at 4 East union Street in Bordentown City, NJ at 2PM.

I am so looking forward to the vibrant day unfolding and hope to experience your joyful energy in the midst of it all. See you there!

But until then, check out a video taken from last year's Bordentown Porchfest here: https://youtube.com/shorts/_1DIip4HGIk?si=3o0WZ7MW9jqGH5wn

The 2026 Oscars Was Amazing

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:55:00 +0000

It is no lie that the song “Golden” from the movie K Pop Demon Hunters was and still is a song that penetrates.

Whoever wrote that song had incredible vision. Kids everywhere were singing that song with crazed enthusiasm. They gave it the love and attention that it deserved because it is a great song and the singers are killing it as they sing meaningful words of the boundless dreams we have in our hearts. “Golden” didn’t just move young kids but anybody who has the thirst to excel in the world.

I am happy that Hunter/X got a chance to shimmer in the light at this year’s Academy Award ceremony. Their confidence pushed through on that stage before the sophisticated crowd. It was a magical musical experience. They blew the roof off the place and their performance was met with a well-deserved explosion of cheering.

Their song was the perfect choice to win the Oscar Award for Best Original Song. Truth is, Hunter/X served the world a canvas of magic with their song.

That was just one of the highs of the night that made a smile stretch across my face.

A few of the other moments that stood out for me was seeing a singer I have had the opportunity to sing side by side with, Mike Yung, win an Oscar award for the Film Short, The Singers.

What a blessing to see someone you actually know in real time, walk across the Academy Awards stage to get a well-deserved award.

I also loved the fact the Michael B Jordan got the Academy Award for best actor. Sinners was a good movie and I really liked it. I think he is a great actor and ever since I saw him the movie, Black Panther, I have been rooting him on. He is great in every movie that I have seen him in, so I knew it was only a matter of time.

But what I loved the most was the Best Picture award going to One Battle After Another. If you miss one part in that movie, you miss a lot. This film draws you in and it makes you want to pay attention. The acting is great and the storyline is super unique. Leonardo Di Caprio does some great acting. Any movie with him in it, you are guaranteed to see some great acting because he always does a great job.

Conan O’Brien was a great host for the Academy Awards and my last favorite part was the dance by Misty Copeland with Miles Caton and Raphael Saddiq singing the song, “I Lied to You” from Sinners. It was moving and definitely made the stage come alive.

I guess the entire award ceremony grooved on by as sweet as a love song. This is the first time I watched the awards that I actually enjoyed it from beginning to end.

What were your favorite parts of the award show?

Bad Bunny Inspires a Multitude of People With His 2026 Superbowl Halftime Show

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 03:21:00 +0000

Bad Bunny was a welcomed change to the Superbowl Halftime Show this year.

Everybody deserves to be celebrated. Every culture should be respected. Every person should be able to have dignity.

Bad Bunny’s musical performance was fantastically good.

Don’t judge the moment by the lack of understanding of his language or the cultural symbolisms that he shared. There are millions of people living in the United States and so many different languages that are spoken in this huge melting pot. Don’t let his lack of English speaking be the reason you run into issues with what he had to give on one of the world’s biggest stages. If understanding did not dawn on your face as he represented the beauty of diversity, you are missing the bigger picture. If you are focusing on the truth, every moment of the performance was great.

In my opinion, the cultural references were on point. There were men working out in the fields. There was someone selling Fresco on the side. Pure coconut drinks were being sold by the street vendors. There were people playing dominoes. There were masons with their bricks building. I love that Cardi B was there with him in support and that he brought out Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.

Bad Bunny’s Superbowl Halftime Show was everything you could want in peeling back the stigmas. What he had to give was beautifully influential. There is a gorgeous aspect to being different. Everybody does not have to be exactly the same to be effective. There was nothing mechanical about his performance; he was himself and the message that cascaded from the entire 12 minutes was that cultural heritage matters.

He electrified the atmosphere despite the odds that were thrown at him from a world not ready to totally accept him, and he did it well. I was draped across the couch watching the game and had to get up to dance when the musical halftime show started because the rhythms were fire. He showed the world what he was made of and I enjoyed every moment of it; especially when he gave a shoutout to all the Latinos and mentioned Ayiti. Yes, I am Latinx. I love it.

I think people will be reminiscing about his halftime show for years to come. The entire performance was a symbol of hope for all.

Talk Talk Talk

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:37:00 +0000

I was in the supermarket the other day and witnessed a lady curse out her three-year-old daughter like it was a normal thing. The child got scared and ran away from her but then came back and it was all willy nilly again.

I am all for disciplining children. I mean, you have to do what you got to do to get your child to respect and listen to you but it made me think about a few things.

Children walk into a classroom setting and they will curse out their classmates and teachers at such a young age and the teacher will think that because they are reporting it home that their child is using profanity, that it will change things. I can remember hearing kids who can barely formulate a sentence, use curse words like they were sailors; and knowing exactly what they were saying at that. To me that was crazy. You call home to say something. But if the parent does it as a way of communicating in their normal day-to-day, what will really change?

It was none of my business, I know, but it was so out in the open that it just made me a little sad.

I think about my own upbringing and the first time I ever heard my mom say a curse word was when I was in my forties and I had never been more surprised to even realize she knew them because I never heard her use them. But every family is different.

Back on the writing grind again and I can say I probably wrote about 5,000 words today. The first free write 1000, additional words to the short story book I am gathering together, and a song that I added to my YouTube for Kids Channel entitled “Talk.”

“Talk” is about using your voice to say what you mean and to say it effectively without impatiently yelling, cursing or being rude. It’s about using your voice to speak lovingly when using your voice.

If you are interested, you can check it out at the following link https://youtu.be/k7uq74Fa0Y4?si=MhyyBwWAg3-CfhXi

A Writer Writing

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 03:12:00 +0000

A new month is upon us, and the truth about it is that we have been blessed to see another month. We are well into 2026. Thank God for the January that he brought us through. We survived the frigid temperatures and the days that came to greet us with open arms.

I am on a new reading challenge that I joined, where I committed to read 100 books this year. I read four this month already and am on my fifth one, ironically, which is a book of inspiration for writers entitled "1000 Words: A Writer's Guide To Staying Creative, Focused, And Productive All Year Round," by Jami Attenberg.

This book encourages writers to write 1000 words every day, and one of the things I put to paper was an acrostic poem for the February that is about to embrace us:

Frozen days that have not changed since December

Every day seems colder now than I could ever remember

But hope stands tall when the new month comes to play

Ready or not, February swings into bat and comes in to stay

Under the frigid temperatures that linger in the air is what we ride

A handful of salt we scatter all around us to not slip and to not slide

Running to love because God up above saw it fit to keep us and to bless us

Yes to living life as if it were golden and we leave our lives in his hands and trust

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I don't know about you but, I am grateful to have been kept and am beyond grateful for God's grace that got me through January in its entirety

https://youtube.com/shorts/EfcQ7xedv60?si=TK0CkK5Xqx3Cel0H

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If you liked that poem and are interested in checking out some of my other poetic pieces, please support my creative endeavors by investing in one of my poetry books:

Pulchritudinous: The Poetry Collection

https://a.co/d/6bRnrY3

And Then There Was the Music

https://a.co/d/iiPTpq2

Songs For My Mother

https://a.co/d/40AE8Wo

Songs for My Father

https://a.co/d/fAciQp0

New Year Mindset: Live For Today

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 04:55:00 +0000

Yesterday is a figment of the past. Today is here. Tomorrow is on the way.

Fresh pain that fills your heart from yesterday should be hung up with a pin like laundry on a line. The long journey ahead requires a light load.

No more starving yourself of love and forgiveness.

Feed your spirit with things that give you positive energy. Stop reflecting upon the could’ves, should’ves, would’ves that stay crammed up in your mind. Focus on the cosmic whirlwind of today and be totally present in the now moment. Don’t just tolerate the wind. Flutter and conquer it like the royal being that you are.

Enter into this new week with acceptance of who you are. You are not your mess. You are not a mistake. You are bigger than your falls. Your mistakes do not define you. You are better than your yesterday. Stop letting your past dismantle your spirit. Stop allowing others to dictate how you feel about life.

You are more than enough. You are blessed and highly favored. You are loved by a God who adores you. He molded you uniquely and wonderfully. You amass a whole lot of power. You are worthy of love. Your smile affects people.

Soooooooooo…

Glow up today!

Level up today!

Show up today!

Warrior up; because this fight is your life and you are more than enough…

More Than Enough Short on YouTube

Feel the Vibe of the New Year

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 01:10:00 +0000

Tip for 2026: Enjoy the Music

It is a new year. A new set of 52 weeks. Don’t let the New Year’s Eve ball drop into 2027 without dipping your toes in 2026.

Feel it. Let the ubiquitous appeal of it take over. Lean into it like it is your favorite song. Groove to its rhythm. Experience it. Embrace every miniscule bit of it.

Enjoy it. Let your spirit guide you to the smile to keep that joy vibrantly pulsating through your body.

Feel the rhythm of the unique fusion of this new year. Find your smorgasbord of influence and stick to it. Let it splash over you like the waterfalls of Saut D’eau, Haiti. Submerge yourself into each day with fresh authenticity.

Feel the vibe of every single moment of these next 365 days like the morning alarm. And make sure you stay prayed up in the stretch of your every day as God carries you through each minute that comes embedded in it.

Hope that you are wooed by it and that this year sets your soul aflame to make it your most explosive year ever. I pray that your song and dance gets you relevéeing successfully as you progress forward through the year. May your 2026 be as refreshing as Negroni Sparkling Wine; but don’t get too drunk because I’ll be navigating through it too. Lml.

Enjoy and be blessed!

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As I continue to share parts of my identity and grow into the new year, here is an aspect of a musical atmosphere I was blessed to be in with the wonderful guitarist John Smith, drummer Camille Gainor, and Keyboardist James Preston at the Red Rooster Restaurant and lounge in Harlem, NY. They are consummate professionals and the music they shared swelled in the air like a bird in the sky. They made it easy and fun to join in and sing with them. So thankful for that.

I hope that you feel the strophe of each line as I did. Here is the link:

https://youtube.com/shorts/zNhBaYEBSpg?si=4_4bCysOXOCuJIRr

Happy 2026

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:54:00 +0000

It is 2026.

As the new year approached, I was dancing gently in the cold breeze with my black and metallic gold dress on fluttering in the wind, as the ball dropped and everyone screamed “Happy New Year.” The energy that was radiated at that moment was calm and serene. I snapped some pictures, recorded some videos, and made memories that will last for a lifetime. It became abundantly clear that 2025 was no longer a thing and that the new set of 365 days was upon us.

A whole new avenue of possibilities is here. I know the new year just started but I am looking forward to seeing how it opens up like a flower in blossom. I’m sparkling with excitement for new music and writing projects. I won’t get all sapped and sentimental about it yet but, I look forward to letting it shine like a beacon of hope when these projects are ready.

What I will say is that I have plunged into writing wholeheartedly lately. I have always been a poet and I write songs but lately, I have put more of my efforts and time into weaving in stories that are significant to my cultural heritage from threads of mine and my family’s memories and stories. This year I am going all in.

As for now, here are some of my writing projects that were previously published in 2025:

Winter Jass: Jass Magazine

Features various articles, stories, poetry and a comic strip entitled Jass by Stephanie Jeannot

https://a.co/d/31P8rJd

Storming the Page: Soul Aerobics

A book of writing prompts to ignite the writer in you to put more words down on paper by Stephanie Jeannot

https://a.co/d/2LlVjN9

Sunsets 2026: 2026 Calendar and Plan Book

A calendar book with calendar, writing lines for memo writing, birthdays, important phone numbers, and photographic images of various sunsets captured by Stephanie Jeannot

https://a.co/d/iy0APo2

Jazz Toons: Lena Horne

A comic book about the life of Lena Horne. Sketches and story line are by Stephanie Jeannot

https://a.co/d/4YHn07N

If you are interested, please click on the link and support my writing endeavors.

Thank you for your time. Look forward to communing with you in this 2026 year.

Peace and blessings!

Stephanie Jeannot

instagram.com/jnotemusic

Showing My Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 17:28:00 +0000

One of the reasons I get up early in the morning with a genuine smile on my face is because of you.

I feel the most at peace when I am dabbling into my purpose because it feels good doing the things that I do that make me come alive. Today I want to stop to focus on the positive aspects of my artistic grind.

Your support is worth all the love in the world and I am grateful for you being kind and lovely. You taking the time to veer your attention my way feels magical; almost as if I am a queen and that's more than royal in my opinion.

Thank you for being my peaceful idyll. I appreciate you. I feed off your light. You keep my belief in my works and talent in motion. You are a treasure to me and I appreciate you 100-fold. Thank you.

New projects coming soon and I can't wait to share them with you in the near future. But for now, I am constantly updating my YouTube channel and adding more and more videos. I will admit, I have been digging the shorts and reels thing and been adding more and more of them lately. I also update my IG and FB pages regularly where I post flyers for upcoming shows, video footage from live performances and etc. If you feel led in any way, you can check them out, like, follow. Here are the links:

http://youtube.com/stephaniejeannot

http://instagram.com/jnotemusic

http://facebook.com/jnotemusic

Once again, I want to thank you for your time and for your love. May God's blessings continue to fall fresh over your loves.

Stephanie Jeannot

Poettues: The Potency of Music

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 04:07:00 +0000

Poettues: The Potency of Music

I get intoxicated when I hear a good song come on the radio.

I'm a lush for moving to the beat of a groove when I hear it flow.

I get tipsy when the melody is rocking and it makes me want to dance

Music in my opinion is like potent love that makes you shake your fancy pants.

Intoxicated by my Love for Dancing

Click on link to see associated video

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If you dug my poem, I have an entire book of Music Poetry entitled:

And Then There Was the Music

by Stephanie Jeannot

Click Here to Check it Out on Amazon

What's in your Artist Wardrobe

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 04:03:00 +0000

Artists who get on stage to vocalize their hearts out need a wardrobe.

What happened to the days of old when everybody was dressing up like they were going to be on the red carpet just to go to the local jazz club?

Black dresses always work, or just a black outfit in general works, but what if you want to add some color and pizzazz to your appearance?

I tend to find some lovely pieces when I shop off and online but mostly, I have been finding myself doing Shein.com Hauls and I must say, I get some pretty amazing pieces there. The best part is that the fashion items I get often are unique, one-of-a-kind finds that did not cost much at all; and you didn't have to go to a crowded store to get it.

I am definitely a dress person, and I am short. Long dresses are my favorite thing because they make me look tall. I have found some of the most beautiful dresses on Shein.com and I never have to deal with much drama trying to get the items I want.

I did a haul recently and the beautiful black and white dress with the flowers was one of those many items. This dress was made for a curvy queen like me and I feel happy about the fact that they have clothing items and more for everyone.

If interested in checking out Shein for yourself, here is a link that might help you to entice your onstage artist look: Check out SHEINOFFICIAL.COM.

If you are interested in seeing some of the items that I got with this haul, check it out here: Style Matters, Says the Fashionista❣️

Affirmations for Musicians

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 01:53:00 +0000

Affirmations are everything. Especially for artist’s who constantly put their ideas out into the atmosphere and allows their deepest inner thoughts to circulate through the stratosphere.

So here are some I really like:

I walk steadily in my own rhythm

I never carry the past as a burden.

I meet myself with consistency and care.

I am the best at what I do.

I can make it.

I can endure the adverities.

I persevere.

I am a warrior.

I am more than enough.

And my favorite:

I am clothed in joy… Morning Affirmation: I Am Clothed in Joy

What better way to face the world than to do with joyously and to actually lead through life from the joy within. Being clothed in joy is like having an outer body experience and enjoying life despite the things that come along that might break us.

May your weekend be filled with joy and God’s wonderful blessings.

Enjoy!

Water Yourself

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:38:00 +0000

Thoughts may swirl through the air sometimes that turn your usual upward smiley face into a frown. It doesn’t take a monstrous blaze to notice the embers of doubt coming to fire it’s flames. The truth about you creeps along even when doubt tries to prowl into your system. Don’t get burned; water yourself.

You do not have to frantically search outside for validation. Every exasperating experience does not mean that you have to once again be etched with worry. Resilience usually screams out its sweet words to you and its voice is noticeable because it will start to shower you with good thoughts about who you are. Let that overwhelming sense of love wash over you and soothe what feels lost.

You know who you are. Keeping your mind leveled on the truth easily fixes, soothes and solves. Don’t let lies about your character ruin your delightful heart. You don’t have to yell curses or get angry. You don’t have to let your faith collapse. You do not have to walk around feeling depressed or defeated. Don’t go let out your frustrations on your social media page. There are better ways to handle your situations. Don’t stay thinking that what you are going through is just another sad love song. This is real life.

Instead, find an alternate route. Reach for a pen and a notebook and let the lines be your shoulder to cry on while sitting in a cradle of quietness. Sometimes it takes emptying out what is bottled up inside so you could meet the quiet of your mind; like meditation but only, using writing as the vehicle.

Use your own eyes and heart as your audience and respond to your own situation. How could you have handled it differently? Feedback? What is the next step? How do I move in a better way? What can I learn from all of this?

But while writing, don’t simply stay hyper-focused on the problems, the he say, she says, or the dilemmas. Don’t forget to acknowledge the good things that happened in your life. Root yourself on for standing in resilience. Let out a high-pitched giggle for the things that felt good along the way. You persevered through it all. Remember that!

Keep creating your own dusts of joy and let it sink in. Keep reaching for the sky and rise up to keep meeting the you that makes you smile.

Know yourself. Love yourself. Honor yourself. Trust yourself. Respect yourself. Like yourself. Acknowledge yourself. Celebrate yourself. Give yourself grace. Germinate.

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Speaking of persevering, I write songs to help inspire, motivate and celebrate the champions that we are in this world. Don't ever let go of the warrior in you. You are powerful. You are more than enough. You got this. Here are a few songs that might help to inspire you along your journey:

Perseverance by Stephanie Jeannot
More Than Enough by Stephanie Jeannot
Warrior by Brian Fury & Stephanie Jeannot
Breakthrough by Stephanie Jeannot (featuring Jazz E Matt)

I hope that these songs might add some joyous light to your day. Thank you for reading and for clicking on the song titles to listen to my music. Let me know if you actually did listen and if you did, which song was your favorite. Thanks for the feedback.

Peace and blessings!

Learning is Fun

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:46:00 +0000

School is a great place to learn. They say go to school and learn something each day from a teacher that cares about your mind. That means the teacher must have a good mindset that holds on to the idea of teaching with love and focus on developing minds to grasp the information that they are sharing.

Make sure then that the information being shared is the information that is needed and not ideas that “you are not smart enough,” or “you are not worthy of respect or care,” or “your needs or voice or ideas do not matter,” or “you are beneath me and not worth the time.”

If students are coming eager to learn and a little behind the curve, answer the questions they have and respond to their requests for help. Don’t just assume that all students are at the same level just because they are the same age and in the same classroom setting. Don’t just take a student’s acting out as being a person who is out of control. Sometimes that is the request for help without them actually asking for "attention."

Did you pay attention to their need for help? Did you see that their hand was up when you were asking for student input? Did you put off their request or need, treating them just like everyone else with a need, or did you use it as a distraction, and instead something to be frustrated by?

We get it, they are your students, not your kids. Yes, you came to educate and not babysit. No, it is not your job to console because your title is teacher, not carer of a child’s feelings. Yes, they did not obey your first command, but that does not mean manhandling is the only way to get the desired result.

School is a great place to learn. It is a great place to see how to act and to formulate a mindset. Let the mindset be, you can do this, and you got what it takes, and you are an intelligent young lady or gentleman, and you matter so that the desire to learn escalates. Let them know.

Don’t let the mindset be based on stinking thinking. Adding value should always be the goal. Let’s add value for our future. The students are the future. They deserve quality learning experiences and treatment to carry on into their future so they can also have the mindset that learning is fun because it can be if you show them the way. Happy belated World's Teacher's Day to those who take the time. You are loved beyond measure.

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I created a YouTube channel for kids: Learning with Ms Steph and it was started on the basis of getting kids to learn how to read with the idea that "Reading is Fun." Check out the first song written for the channel, Reading is Fun

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BTW! What did you think about my drawings? I love landscape photography the most; working with lines to tell stories. If you liked them even a little bit, let me know or give me advice on how to improve them. Thanks for your input.

Happy Birthday Billie Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:04:00 +0000

Happy birthday to…

Billie Holiday

who put her energy into the music

with her instrument.

She had a tone like no other.

She wore in her hair a flower.

She sang with timing power.

She got on stage and towered

Any song on the repertory.

“God bless the Child” and her musicality.

Like poetry in motion.

Like her sound was an ocean.

Like what a great fortune to listen to her bend her voice in contortions.

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During the course of my day as I sat at my desk, moments away from the work found me trying to sketch her face. I find lines to be like poetry. I find art to be so soothing. It makes me feel good and I love it a lot.

If you are interested in coming to see some live music showcasing some good jazz and some funk tunes that will make you want to move your feet, I want to invite you out to an event I will be singing at this Friday night.

I will be performing live with the Yaacov Mayman Band

This Friday, April 11, 2025

8-10PM

Duet Restaurant

located at 6181 Strickland Avenue

in Brooklyn, NY .

The restaurant is great and the music is awesome.

Fr all future events and postings, you can check out my IG page at

http://instagram.com/jnotemusic

Sunday Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 05:50:00 +0000

Sundays are for extricating myself from the normalcies of life and for using the shackle-free moments to show gratitude for the things I love. Recently, I started using a daily gratitude journal. Although some days it gets pushed aside, I realize the importance of doing the internal work to make sure that you stay grounded in peace and knowledge of who you are. Being thankful for what you have is a great way to set your mindset for being joyous in life.

I decided to write a poem to express some of the things I am grateful for.

Gratitude

Sketch drawing by Stephanie Jeannot

I love granny pajamas because they are comfortable

I love a warm bubble bath with salt because it's wonderful

I love trying new recipes out because I love a good meal

I love wearing beautiful high-heeled shoes bcecause they have a sexy feel

I love conversations with people who know how to encourage me

I love a good book by a great author because they seem to inspire me

I love to write down words or phrases that seems like they are out of this world

I love trying to do something fantastic with this head full of 4C curls.

I love a good album to spin on my record player.

I love a song I can bop to that makes my spirit enliven my dancer.

I love a blank canvas that I can draw on and then later fill with metallics.

I love a vocal exercise that gives my voice improvement

I love listening to Sarah Vaughan and her wide vocal range

I love it when I can write in a book and fill up an entire page

I love the night, the sleep, the sheets, the room that I sleep in

I love my family, my talents, the ability to use them and I smile with the biggest grin

I’m grateful for every limb, sense and leveling up opportunity I have been blessed with

I am thankful for all the times God saved me when I had been sick

And I can’t thank him enough for surrounding me with his love every day

I am not perfect and yet, in spite of it all, God loved me anyway

__________________________________________________________

If you are interested in writing prompts to help to ignite the writer in you a bit more, maybe you can try my writer's prompt book entitled, "Storming the Page: Soul Aerobics." Check it out here on https://a.co/d/frXJrnd

Thank you again for stopping by my blog!

Gratitude, the Poem

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Sat, 05 Apr 2025 03:38:00 +0000

Don’t look at the sumptuous moments

that are spent improving the rooms that I walk in

Don’t revisit the ideas I extricate from my mind

and apply to precipices of our fusions

Forget about the thickets I chopped away

from minds who were not ready until I got there

Leave behind the energy I poured into

everything I did just because I cared to share

No, just think of how my slaving wasn’t apple watched

Despite the months that I was there without my meets to swap

I lit up minds. I watered hearts and inspired paths.

I got my foot caught all up in the mouse's trap.

I was there doing what I do best like no other ever will

I was built more different than any cable you'll find in a mill

But thank God for rest and the strength that he builds

For resets and for steps to wipe up the spills

It’s the weekend now and I'm celebrating sleep

Let’s not pretend that alarms don't sound if you never counted sheep

And rest doesn't happen if doubt piles up like a desk's work heep

Thank God for the ability to level up on my knees

Day Three: A Horse-and-Carriage Ride

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 02:50:00 +0000

It feels almost as if I have been sketching my life with a graphite pencil lately. Intentions have led me to unravel the evolution of words within me. It feels good to simply write and enjoy the process.

And then reality hits: the more you write, the more inspiration you find, and then you write even the more. Inspiration to stand before a crowd and share becomes a thing. The motivation to submit to contests starts happening. The power to write more than just the one and set some aside for future books and submissions becomes your mindset. It’s great!

So here is my day three poem inspired by a recent trip I took to Cape May. The beauty of the place and discovering some of its history was awesome. Definitely hope to go back there sometime soon but for now, here is 1000 words to talk about my “Horse-and-Carriage-Ride.”

Horse-and-Carriage Ride

A fresh spring of words to say about

my horse-drawn carriage ride through monumental streets

It was as if a cathedral of lights

Encircled all around me

As we promenaded through the historical sites

The wind so strong that day, it would fly the perfect kite

History lurking in the wings

The spirit of the past echoing

Above the sound of the hooves of the horse

He walked with the striking elegance of a king on course

The air wrinkling my hair and making it dance

So I held onto the seatbelt tighter with my hands

Miles and miles through the streets

Down past the house museums and parked cars

To the beach where onlookers went to see the evening stars

As if there were an ekphrastic poem written in the sky

The sunset, so beautiful and coloresque, as it hit your eyes

And we gazed through the chordal measures of the evening tide

Suddenly soothed by the rays of the golden moonlight

Back on to the carriage to ride on through the night

Holding on to the desire to take an even bigger bite out of life

_______________________________________________________

Questions for the reader?

What is a great place to go to capture the best sunset pic that you can imagine?

What did you think of my poem?

What was your last writing piece? Please share your link.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog.

Interested in reading some of my other works. I have a few self-published projects on Amazon. Please check out my Amazing Author Page at Amazon.com: Stephanie Jeannot: books, biography, latest update

You can always follow me on my Instagram page. I am constantly adding new posts of live events, performances and things of that sort at http://instagram.com/jnotemusic

P is for Poetry

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 10:54:00 +0000

P is for poetry

A rhyming story

set to melody

rhythm

and words at play

P is for poetry

So sweet and buttery

Oh yesiree

Makes me feel so fluttery

Free and so merrily

Twinkling jazz do-re-mis

The lingual flattery

In the soliloquies

Perfume like Chantilly

Metaphor simile

Poetry literally

Is just so dope to me

Release the inner me

Meters and melodies

Waving like over seas

Lyrically vocally

April Poetry Writing Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 02:18:00 +0000

The earth has been revolving beneath our feet and here we are; the first day

of National Poetry Month and Jazz Appreciation month.

I love both poetry and jazz. I could venture down any given thoroughfare, pivoting over

my favorite jazz tune and I would be just in my nature singing it, as natural as cherry

blossoms when spring comes into swing.

Thickets hardly ever stand in the way of my desire to write a couplet in rhyme in my time when I feel the vibe, and it's in my design, READY to rain on a blank page.

As I stole glances at the sun peeking its way through the curtains of the night sky, it dawned on me that This brand-new season that has come upon us with this new set of 24, is a special month.

I need to write more. I want to get into the swing of appreciating a musical genre and culture I really love. It's time to let my poetic voice ring-a-ling-a-ling louder than a Cynthia Erivo vocal belt.

I mean, what is jazz anyway? It is poetry in rhythm. It is a metaphor for love. It is an onomatopoeia for life.

With that in mind, I decided to set myself on my own 30-day writing challenge, just to try to reframe my mind to focusing on completing a task and actually writing like I ought to. A poem a day with a jazz twist; something like a margarita with a twist of orange. I am celebrating both jazz and poetry through art and words, harmoniously.

My 30 days of poetry have begun. I accept the challenge. I'm getting tipsy already. My first installment is here.

The Soothing Sounds

A broad swathe of music wraps around my aching body.

It soothes.

It empowers.

Its waves exhilarate me.

My emotional tide waves are at high.

The jazz in me be-bops melodic sighs.

My tears fall when the music inclines.

A jolt of poetry vibrates 9.5.

My soul starts its dance atop the leather of congas.

It’s legs shuffling in a full-blown tantrum,

casually winnowing away from the discord notes,

and catapulting into a tri-tone.

Microgrooves of 78s.

Santana’s “Shango” and “What Does it Take.”

The sound of Samba invites me to dance and engage

I was clad in music which was a band-aid for my aches.

_______________________________________________________________

Now, here is an idea. If you are a writer and you want to join in the fun of writing and also the challenge of getting your thoughts out daily, join in this challenge. Let me know if you also will try to be consistent for the next 30 days, post it and send me the link. I'd love to read it.

Also, tell me what you think. Would love comments, suggestions on how to improve, or just a hello to say that you stopped by.

Either way, thanks for reading.

Happy poetry and jazz month.

Peace!

JNote

http://instagram.com/jnotemusic

Storming the Pages by Doing Soul Aerobics Using Writing Prompts

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Sun, 16 Feb 2025 20:54:00 +0000

There is nothing like a good writing prompt to help me redefine my boundaries and write something remarkably different.

A good starter sentence or question that makes those nostalgic moments swim around your brain, is a great way to get your mind flowing and the words onto the page.

I find prompts to help me to dive deeper into my strengths because they force me to think before writing something startlingly new; almost as if I am doing soul aerobics to storm the page with the sweat of my newfound energy.

A little direction and I am writing with a new supply of ideas that take me beyond what I would normally write. What I put on the paper is then crafted with warmth, realness, and soul.

Not only that, a good starter sentence or question gets me into the groove of yielding something surprisingly good and I really love that.

If you are a writer like me who enjoys using prompts every now and then to get the words rippling through your body, then maybe this new book is for you.

I created a book of prompts that I think you might enjoy. The book is entitled Storming the Page; Soul Aerobics. It features over 50 prompts for writers to ignite their passion and release their brainstorm. Each prompt features three writing pages behind it for the writer to let loose. It has been said that writing three pages a day can increase your creative and ideating flow. Perhaps this book will be the perfect addition to your writing tools library.

Storming the Page; Soul Aerobics is now available on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/eibB7Pr. Get your copy today.

Ten Ways to Make The Most Out of 2025

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 18:15:00 +0000

The liberating truth you get when the ball drops and knowing that the old year has left us and the new year is here, is unmatchable.

It is 2025. What a true blessing to know that we survived another year unscathed! It is a brand-new year now, and I realize how similar it is to opening a new sketchbook and starting fresh on your first pencil stroke.

I am sketching in a new heart to embrace the new year with love and the willingness to share as much of that love as I can. Whether that means that I will be more open to being a part of collaborative environments or whatever else is in store for me, I will allow myself to be immersed in that.

2025 already has its vibrant rhythms spiraling out of it. Here are a few ways to make the most out of 2025.

1. Embrace each moment with joy and intention. The more positive you approach life, the more glamorously radiant your smile will be.

2. Stretch yourself a little bit more, so you can find better ways to innovate.

3. Find ways to be engulfed with peace. Rest is essential and if you don’t take quiet moments just to breathe, you might choke. Take a brain break. Walk through nature. Have that second cup of coffee. Get a mani/pedi. Sit in the tub for 45 minutes. Take care of your mental health. It is super important.

4. Don’t stumble over your mess-ups. Get your ass up and try again. Keep going for the things you want to see this year.

5. Get a true grip on life. Take it seriously. It’s yours.

6. How many times can you watch the same old series? Be open to watching new things, seeing new things, and experiencing new things. Try that new restaurant that you have been dying to eat it; even if it is on a solo date. Watch that new movie everybody is talking about. Read that new book that you want to get your hands on. If you only indulge in the same old things, what can you actually get new out of it? Did somebody say new travel destination? Seek out the new.

7. Don’t think that just because you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders well means that you have to bear it all alone. Ask for help. Allow someone else to help you carry it.

8. The most important thing to carry through 2025 is faith. Stay prayed up. Believe that God has something wonderful in store for you and rely on his truth. Know the fact that you are phenomenally blessed and ready to receive good things in your life.

9. Work on whatever It is that you are passionate about. The more that you work on it, the better you get. The more you put into it, the more you get out of it. And the more that you believe that you are “More Than Enough” to get to where you want to go with it, the more the universe will bend to you. Never forget that you are more than enough.

10. Enjoy the brand new set of 12 months as much as you can. Don't take the time allotted in the year for granted. You have 525600 minutes to make a difference in your own world. Make sure you do more than just live mundanely through it. Experience it with intention and don't let it slip you by.

I hope that you enjoyed this list. I hope to look back over this year when the ball is about to drop into 2026 and having a smile on my face. But until then, here is a song to carry with you throughout the year. https://youtu.be/u02NS1UUpu4?si=XdCRE-JiNfBaj0uh

Have a fantastic 2025. Happy New Year!

Music for the Ultimate Holiday Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (JNoteMusic) — Sun, 17 Nov 2024 02:48:00 +0000

It is weird how time changes and we change along with the time that keeps moving forward.

Years ago, it used to bother me that the Christmas holiday became so materialized that it was being exploited so early.

The music started blaring super early and everywhere you would go, there would be decorations and displays of holidays in your face, way before even Thanksgiving; as like it is now. I walked into my local supermarket and the music over the airwaves had me singing down the aisles like I was the star of the show on a stage on Broadway singing my favorite carols. It put the spirit of the holidays in my heart; super early but here we are watching holiday-themed movies and enjoying it.

I won’t have the holiday heart this year. I am ready to celebrate and even feel like I might be getting into the pomp and circumstance of decorating. So keeping in the spirit of the holiday music that always seems to get me into a great mood, I created a music playlist filled with some of the holiday songs that have caught my heart lately and I wanted to share it with you with hopes that it might get you into the mood and perhaps you will enjoy listening to. Perhaps you will enjoy it so much that you'll feel like playing it at your next holiday party or while you are riding in your automobile or while decorating your tree or throught the season. Here is the link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0OdsBVvfiWvF4NnCqNslL1?si=fdda7baa586e4a77

The following is a list of some ofthe songs that are featured on this Christmas-Themed holiday playlist:

1. “All I Want for Christmas” by Mariah Carey is a fun song with great vocals and a wonderful choir singing lyrics that almost dances charismatically to the up-beat music. It has always been a favorite of mine since it first came out and I think that it still is until this day.

2. “Jingle Bells” by Ella Fitzgerald is a cool, jazzy version of an old popular holiday anthem that is adored by young and old. I like the swinging nature of this tune and her syncopated voicings that make this song come alive in a really awesome way.

3. “Santa Baby” by Taylor Swift is a nice guitar-heavy tune that I like because I can see this song getting a whole dance party on the floor moving their bodies and enjoying the groove on their feet.

4. “Last Christmas” by Wham never seems to get old to me. No matter how many times I listen to it, I love it more. It is an enjoyable song to listen to and I love it a lot.

5. “This Christmas” by Destiny’s Child is a nice trio version of this beautiful Christmas tune. I like it because they made it their own and it sounds really nice to listen to with its bop and its pomp.

6. “Snowman” by Sia. I like different songs that are not traditional but are good tunes that are out of the

ordinary and still keep the holiday in the center of it all. Her creativity and voice shines strong int his tune and it rings beautifully.

7. “Jesus is the Reason” by Stephanie Jeannot is a nice tune because of the harmonic value of it and the music is really hot. I also like the singer’s voice. The hook is super catchy and not a regular everyday carol that you hear all the time.

8. “Santa Doesn’t Know You Like I Do” by Sabrina Carpenter. I mean, who isn’t loving what Sabrina Carpenter has been doing with her music lately. This song is just all that and definitely a song that will have people singing along like all the other songs that have hit the waves.

9. “Winter Wonderland” by Pentatonix featuring Tori Kelly is just a song that will make you want to listen because of the amazing harmonies and arrangements on this song. Really great version of this lovely holiday tune.

10. “O Holy Night” by Norah Jones. I like the jazzy smoothness of this tune and her scratchy vocals that make it a cool listen. Plus the hits of the music that seem to make this song dramatic and exciting.

Other songs featured on this playlist include, “Joy to the World” by Nat King Cole, “Sleigh Ride” by Kelly Clarkson, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by the Jackson 5, “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano, “Let it Snow” by Luis Fonti and more.

Check out the full playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0OdsBVvfiWvF4NnCqNslL1?si=fdda7baa586e4a77

Here is to a fantastic holiday season ahead!