When
Dolores "DeeJazz" Jackson sings,
it's not surprising to see why
her listeners are dynamically
captivated. DeeJazz delivers
something unique: inspirational,
message-rich lyrics, against the
background of a beautiful and
spiritual, jazz sound. Her voice
is as readily remarkable to the
human ear as it is definitively,
distinctive. Particularly
engaging, each one of her songs
demonstrate her ability to
easily hit a wide range of
octaves. Her debut album,
titled, "A Musical Messenger,"
has the potential to inspire and
transform lives for the greater.
Born in
Michigan, USA, DeeJazz has spent
most of her life in Detroit.
Currently, she makes her home in
North Carolina. As a college
student, she was the recipient
of thousands of dollars in
scholarships. The
singer/songwriter earned her
B.A. in Advertising from
University of Detroit, Mercy,
and graduated Magna cum Laude.
DeeJazz's love for learning,
creative style, and gift for
music, makes her an obvious
choice for eMediaCampaigns!
OnTheMove! Interview Series.
EMC! features a rare, inside
look of this amazing artist. The
CD, "A Musical Messenger," has a
generous, 14 tracks, and can be
purchased at: http://www.deejazz.com/
EMC!: Good Morning, DeeJazz.
Thank you for meeting with us.
And, congratulations on your
spectacular accomplishment of
masterfully blending jazz,
inspirational, and spiritual
music.
DeeJazz: Thank you so much
Fran. It is a pleasure to be
with you.
EMC!: You produced your own
album; was that a difficult
decision?
DeeJazz: Producing my own
album was not at all a difficult
decision. It had been a dream of
mine for a long time. I have
been writing songs and playing
them on the piano since I was
13. So, by the time I produced
the album, I had quite a few
years of writing and recording
experience under my belt. But
yes; there were times when I
doubted by ability to do it by
myself. After I completed
several songs I presented them
to some experienced producers
for their opinions. One told me
my production wasn't good enough
and that I would need their
help, I sensed their desire for
control and, not to mention,
compensation. Another told me my
productions were great.
However, by this time confidence
in my writing ability had
matured to the point where I was
feeling pretty secure.
Nevertheless, I wanted the
opinions of experienced
writers/producers. I found out
that they are people too.
"I encourage anyone that loves
real music to purchase this CD.
I am confident that you will be
uplifted. Musically, everything
is there. Whether you're into
up-tempo, 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
EMC:
What are some of the most
powerful truths you discovered
about yourself after completing
your first album?
DeeJazz: One of the most
powerful things I discovered
about myself after completing
this CD was that I could
actually fulfill my lifelong
dream to be a composer. It was
thrilling. Secondly, that I had
something worthwhile to offer.
For a long time I felt like a
failure. After a failed
marriage, I was struggling
financially as a single parent
of two small children and I had
no direction for my future.
Music was always a dream for me
but with little or no
encouragement from my family I
felt discouraged. Completing
this project taught me that I
could accomplish what I put my
mind to as long as I didn't let
anything or anyone stop me.
EMC!: It's our understanding
that you are an avid reader.
How, and when did you acquire
your love for reading? And, what
books are you reading now?
DeeJazz: My love for reading
started when I was kid when the
bookmobile used to come to our
neighborhood. I loved it!
Growing up in Detroit --where
not much was given to you and
sometimes things were stolen
from you -- I was so impressed
that you could borrow books
without paying for them.
Actually, I'm still impressed by
the library! I go every three
weeks and sometimes more than
that (laugh).
Right
now I'm reading Dr. Maya
Angelou's four-volume
autobiography; also, a book
titled, Word Smart. It
teaches you how to improve your
vocabulary. And, Seth Speaks.
It's a new-thought phenomenon
written in the early 70's by
Jane Roberts, a woman who
channeled a non-physical entity
with some powerful spiritual
information. I also just
finished a great, great book
called, The Disappearance of
the Universe, by Gary R.
Renard. It's an enlightening
read mostly about the miracle of
forgiveness. This book has
changed my life.
EMC!: Dr. Maya Angelou -- a
phenomenal woman. You actually
met her, correct? Would you
describe the experience?
DeeJazz: Yes. I met Dr.
Angelou in August of this year.
After hearing my CD she invited
me to New York to sing for an
"open mic" night at Ashford &
Simpson's Sugar Bar. I saw her
when she began down the aisle
way. She appeared majestic in
her red evening dress with
escorts in front, and back of
her. When she got close, she
smiled and touched me on the
shoulder. I felt like I had been
touched by an angel. She was
then taken to a private area
where she would watch the show
by monitor.
A
little while later her assistant
came to Hattie and I and guided
us to her table. She shook our
hands and was incredibly
gracious and warm. She treated
us like we were royalty. Amazing
... Hattie recited one of Dr.
Angelou's quotes that had made
an impression on her life and
Dr. Angelou expounded on it
eloquently adding even more
insight. We felt blessed and
honored to be in her presence.
Afterward, I was told she
commented on my performance
saying it was, "Delightfully
impressive."
EMC!: What was it like
collaborating with your sister,
Hattie Mae Jackson-Pembrook, as
she completed the companion text
for your album?
DeeJazz: Collaborating with
my sister as she wrote the
companion text Messages to
Awaken yourSelf, was a most
exciting and rewarding time.
When she was challenged around
her abilities I would encourage
and prod her along the way. I
knew that she could do it and I
reminded her how she had been my
inspiration. When I was a teen,
Hattie was a motivational
speaker. I loved attending her
speeches and I heard her say
many times that she wanted to
write a book. Well, the messages
in my songs all came from
books/classes and workshops she
had exposed me to, so I knew
this was the perfect opportunity
for her to write her first book.
After she completed a chapter, I
would edit it to our mutual
approval. We had minor clashes
about which pictures to use, and
occasionally she lamented:
"Another rewrite?" But, we
settled them quickly without
much dissension.
EMC!: In the forward of
Hattie's Book, Messages to
Awaken yourSelf, you mention
that you experienced mental
telepathy with a dog. Was it
deliberate?
DeeJazz: Yes, it was
deliberate. I don't know exactly
how I discovered it, but I
noticed the dog could hear me
when I would "think" a command
to him. It was a Great Dane. I
told him to get up and come to
me, and he did. Then I told him
to go lay down, and he did.
After doing this several times I
was very surprised and decided I
would show my little 9-year-old
neighbor. I said, "Watch this,
I'll tell him to get up in my
mind and he will." So, I did,
and the dog responded. Then, I
gave the mental command to lay
down and he followed again.
Needless to say, my little
friend was highly impressed.
However, mental telepathy as
well as other so called
extra-sensory perceptions, are
common place when we remove the
erroneous belief of ourselves as
mere, human beings. At that time
I had been faithfully practicing
for three months a powerful
technique of awakening called
The Pathway's, by Ken Keyes,
Jr. His book is titled,
Handbook to Higher
Consciousness.
EMC!: Your album continues
to receive raving reviews from
the music industry. What kind of
reception have you had from
listeners?
DeeJazz: Frequently, people
come to me after performances
proclaiming they were deeply
moved or helped in some way. I
have been referred to as
"anointed" and people have
expressed gratitude that I have
followed my divine calling. I've
heard people say they have been
helped through relationship
problems, recovery from drug and
alcohol addiction as well as
money and health issues by my
songs. Recently a woman in
church told me that she was
dealing with a situation that
she had expected to benefit her
life tremendously when suddenly
it came to a disappointing
close. She felt bad but then
quickly decided to look for the
good in the situation.
Instantly, one of my songs,
Darkest B4 the Dawn, began
playing in her head and she
started singing it. She said she
knew it was a message from God.
I've been told my songs are
therapeutic, uplifting,
timeless, and one never gets
tired of listening. I am deeply
honored by their comments and
give credit where it is due, to
the Most High.
EMC!: How long have you been
writing, arranging and producing
your own music? Is it as
challenging as it is fun?
DeeJazz: I started writing
poems when I was around 10 years
old and I began putting music to
them at 13. I would play the
music on the family piano as I
sang the songs. Sometimes I
would make up instrumental songs
and play them with intense
passion. I didn't know at the
time but it was a way for me to
release tension.
Writing
music has been challenging, but
mostly it's been fun. I had two
music classes in my life. But I
found the literal writing and
reading of musical notes tedious
and too technical to contain my
interest. I play and write by
ear. I hear the songs in my head
and then play what I hear. I
feel the most important thing to
learn about songwriting is
structure. For example; verse,
chorus, verse, chorus, bridge,
chorus, ... etc. There are
several structures but most
songs follow the same basic
structure. Once I learned song
structure it became easier
because I knew where to put
what. What I love most about
song writing is hearing it grow
from what I heard in my head, to
what I hear outside of it.
EMC!: Who are the
individuals that you recognize
as your mentors?
DeeJazz: Just recently, Maya
Angelou has become one of my
mentors. After hearing my CD she
took an interest in me -- and I
in her. I am learning so much
from reading her autobiography.
She is an extraordinary woman.
She overcame many obstacles, one
after another and still, she
rose. I am learning from her
example.
I have
always liked reading biographies
of other songwriters/artists and
using them as inspiration. I've
read about Barry White, Patti
Labelle, Barry Gordy, Queen
Latifa, Dolly Parton and others.
EMC!: The lyrics in your
song titled, This Gift of
Mine, include:
Every day is blessing
A gift to us with love
But we must heed
The call to succeed,
That's our gift to God
EMC!: What would you say to
the individual who is struggling
with hearing -- or seeing --
their "call to succeed?"
DeeJazz: I feel we all have
a "calling," so to speak, for
our lives. There is something
that you were born to do. Hattie
states in her book that Michael
Jordan says he was "born to play
basketball." That might sound
frivolous to some, but as anyone
can attest to, Michael Jordan's
astounding athletic skill is
nothing short of miraculous and
would most likely be considered
a divine gift. If a person is
struggling with discovering
their "call to succeed," it is
probably because it's the thing
they've always dreamed of, but
are most afraid to do.
EMC!: In her book and on her
website, Hattie shares a
touching story on her website
about her longing for not only a
sister -- but a companion. Could
you summarize it for us?
DeeJazz: I guess it was
supernatural but some part of
her was waiting for me. She was
graduating from high school when
I was born and she truly loved
me unconditionally. Growing up I
cannot recall one time that she
raised her voice to me or made
me feel bad about anything. We
have always been mentally and
spiritually close, sharing our
love of ideas, self-help
information and spirituality.
Now, this CD/Book project is
becoming more successful than we
initially anticipated. We are in
the process of preparing
ourselves for whatever it
brings.
EMC!: Tell us about your
current and forthcoming
projects.
DeeJazz: Hattie and I are in
the planning stages of a
nationwide tour. We'll be doing
a full stage production/concert.
I will sing with a live
band/orchestra including
background singers. And, at
times, it will be accompanied by
interpretive dancers/actors.
Hattie will expound with
spiritual insights during
extended instrumental sections
of the songs. Also, we will do
workshops consisting of her
speaking and my singing. The
participants get lots of
hands-on awakening experiences
using tools and methods we have
used and that have worked in our
own lives. We're also planning
another CD/book combo.
EMC!: That sounds like a
magnificent production... In
reference to your use of
"awakening experiences," would
you say that in our natural
state we are simply unaware of,
or do we intentionally suppress
the Greatness within us?
DeeJazz: In our truly
natural state, we are awake.
Awake within our Spiritual
Oneness with everything and
everyONE. However, in our
unnatural state, which is nearly
everyone's daily experience, we
most definitely suppress the
Greatness within us. How many of
us suppress acceptance,
understanding and forgiveness in
everyday situations? Most of us,
most of the time.
"Awakening" requires a decision.
A decision that says the way we
have been living, is not
working. A decision that if
"we," meaning, "If I
don't accept the responsibility
to change it, who will?" In our
workshops we seek to inspire an
awakening experience in the
participants so they can have a
personal encounter or a
remembrance of what it feels
like to be "awake."
EMC!: Is there anything you
would like to add before we go?
DeeJazz: Lately, I've been
experiencing intense gratitude.
The information that I am being
guided to is literally changing
my life experience. The powerful
ideas and methods that I learn
and practice are what I convey
in my songs in an effort to help
people wake up to their innate
divinity. We are spiritual
beings and until we wake up to
this fact, we will remain asleep
and will not experience our true
reality, which is love.
EMC!: Thank you, DeeJazz for
taking the time to share. I
certainly enjoyed my time with
you.
DeeJazz: Thank you, Fran for
allowing me this wonderful
opportunity to share.
eMediaCampaigns! Interviewed
Dolores "DeeJazz" Jackson in
October, 2005. She can be
contacted at:
e-mail:
deejazz111@yahoo.com
website:
http://www.deejazz.com/
Hattie
Mae Jackson-Pembrook may be
contacted at:
e-mail:
hmpembrook@yahoo.com
website:
http://www.hattiemae.com/