Please Vote for Me in the Sarah Vaughan Internation Singing Competition

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!

 

 

Happy Birthday Sarah Vaughan!!!

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!!!

Rehearsal Modes of JNote: Live Till I Die

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!