Dolores "DeeJazz" Jackson -- On The Move!

When Dolores "DeeJazz" Jackson sings, it's nottechnique of awakening called, The Pathway's, by Ken
surprising to see why her listeners are are dynamicallyKeyes, Jr. His book is titled, Handbook to Higher
captivated. DeeJazz delivers something unique:Consciousness.FB: Your album continues to receive
inspirational, message-rich lyrics, against theraving reviews from the music industry. What kind of
background of a beautiful and spiritual, jazz sound. Herreception have you had from listeners?DeeJazz:
voice is as readily remarkable to the human ear as it isFrequently, people come to me after performances
definitively, distinctive. Particularly engaging, each one ofproclaiming they were deeply moved or helped in
her songs demonstrate her ability to easily hit a widesome way. I have been referred to as "anointed" and
range of octaves. Her debut album, titled, "A Musicalpeople have expressed gratitude that I have followed
Messenger," has the potential to inspire and transformmy divine calling. I've heard people say they have been
lives for the greater.Born in Michigan, USA, DeeJazzhelped through relationship problems, recovery from
has spent most of her life in Detroit. Currently, shedrug and alcohol addiction as well as money and health
makes her home in North Carolina. As a collegeissues by my songs. Recently a woman in church told
student, she was the recipient of thousands of dollarsme that she was dealing with a situation that she had
in scholarships. The singer/songwriter earned her B.A.expected to benefit her life tremendously when
in Advertising from University of Detroit, Mercy, andsuddenly it came to a disappointing close. She felt bad
graduated Magna cum Laude.I recently sat down andbut then quickly decided to look for the good in the
was honored with a rare, inside look of this amazingsituation. Instantly, one of my songs, Darkest B4 the
artist. Her CD, "A Musical Messenger," has a generous,Dawn, began playing in her head and she started
14 tracks, and can be purchased at: Good Morning,singing it. She said she knew it was a message from
DeeJazz. Thank you for meeting with me. And,God. I've been told my songs are therapeutic, uplifting,
congratulations on your spectacular accomplishment oftimeless, and one never gets tired of listening. I am
masterfully blending jazz, inspirational, and spiritualdeeply honored by their comments and give credit
music.DeeJazz: Thank you so much, Fran. It is awhere it is due, to the Most High.FB:How long have you
pleasure to be with you.FB:You produced your ownbeen writing, arranging and producing your own music?
album; was that a difficult decision?DeeJazz: ProducingIs it as challenging as it is fun?DeeJazz: I started writing
my own album was not at all a difficult decision. It hadpoems when I was around 10 years old and I began
been a dream of mine for a long time. I have beenputting music to them at 13. I would play the music on
writing songs and playing them on the piano since Ithe family piano as I sang the songs. Sometimes I
was 13. So, by the time I produced the album, I hadwould make up instrumental songs and play them with
quite a few years of writing and recording experienceintense passion. I didn't know at the time but it was a
under my belt. But yes; there were times when Iway for me to release tension.Writing music has been
doubted by ability to do it by myself. After I completedchallenging, but mostly it's been fun. I had two music
several songs I presented them to some experiencedclasses in my life. But I found the literal writing and
producers for their opinions. One told me myreading of musical notes tedious and too technical to
production wasn't good enough and that I would needcontain my interest. I play and write by ear. I hear the
their help, I sensed their desire for control and, not tosongs in my head and then play what I hear. I feel the
mention, compensation. Another told me mymost important thing to learn about songwriting is
productions were great.However, by this timestructure. For example; verse, chorus, verse, chorus,
confidence in my writing ability had matured to thebridge, chorus, ... etc. There are several structures but
point where I was feeling pretty secure. Nevertheless, Imost songs follow the same basic structure. Once I
wanted the opinions of experienced writers/producers.learned song structure it became easier because I
I found out that they are people too."I encourageknew where to put what. What I love most about
anyone that loves real music to purchase this CD. I amsong writing is hearing it grow from what I heard in my
confident that you will be uplifted. Musically, everythinghead, to what I hear outside of it.FB: Who are the
is there. Whether you're into up-tempo, ballads,individuals that you recognize as your
introspection, inspirational, motivational, jazz, vocals, ormentors?DeeJazz: Just recently, Maya Angelou has
instrumental, "A Musical Messenger" has it all!"- Michaelbecome one of my mentors. After hearing my CD
L. Jones Producer/Director, Eye-On-U Productions, N.she took an interest in me -- and I in her. I am learning
Hollywood, CAFB: What are some of the mostso much from reading her autobiography. She is an
powerful truths you discovered about yourself afterextraordinary woman. She overcame many obstacles,
completing your first album?DeeJazz: One of the mostone after another and still, she rose. I am learning from
powerful things I discovered about myself afterher example.I have always liked reading biographies of
completing this CD was that I could actually fulfill myother songwriters/artists and using them as inspiration.
lifelong dream to be a composer. It was thrilling.I've read about Barry White, Patti Labelle, Barry Gordy,
Secondly, that I had something worthwhile to offer. ForQueen Latifa, Dolly Parton and others.FB: The lyrics in
a long time I felt like a failure. After a failed marriage, Iyour song titled, This Gift of Mine, include:Every day is
was struggling financially as a single parent of twoblessingA gift to us with loveBut we must heedThe call
small children and I had no direction for my future.to succeed,That's our gift to GodFB:What would you
Music was always a dream for me, but with little or nosay to the individual who is struggling with hearing -- or
encouragement from my family, I felt discouraged.seeing -- their "call to succeed?"DeeJazz: I feel we all
Completing this project taught me that I couldhave a "calling," so to speak, for our lives. There is
accomplish what I put my mind to as long as I didn't letsomething that you were born to do. Hattie states in
anything or anyone stop me.FB: It's our understandingher book that Michael Jordan says he was "born to
that you are an avid reader. How, and when did youplay basketball." That might sound frivolous to some,
acquire your love for reading? And, what books arebut as anyone can attest to, Michael Jordan's
you reading now?DeeJazz: My love for readingastounding athletic skill is nothing short of miraculous
started when I was kid when the bookmobile used toand would most likely be considered a divine gift. If a
come to our neighborhood. I loved it! Growing up inperson is struggling with discovering their "call to
Detroit --where not much was given to you andsucceed," it is probably because it's the thing they've
sometimes things were stolen from you -- I was soalways dreamed of, but are most afraid to do.FB: In
impressed that you could borrow books without payingher book and on her website, Hattie shares a touching
for them. Actually, I'm still impressed by the library! I gostory on her website about her longing for not only a
every three weeks and sometimes more than thatsister -- but a companion. Could you summarize it for
(laugh).Right now I'm reading Dr. Maya Angelou'sus?DeeJazz: I guess it was supernatural but some
four-volume autobiography; also, a book titled, Wordpart of her was waiting for me. She was graduating
Smart. It teaches you how to improve yourfrom high school when I was born and she truly loved
vocabulary. And, Seth Speaks. It's a new-thoughtme unconditionally. Growing up I cannot recall one time
phenomenon written in the early 70's by Jane Roberts,that she raised her voice to me or made me feel bad
a woman who channeled a non-physical entity withabout anything. We have always been mentally and
some powerful spiritual information. I also just finished aspiritually close, sharing our love of ideas, self-help
great, great book called, The Disappearance of theinformation and spirituality. Now, this CD/Book project is
Universe, by Gary R. Renard. It's an enlightening readbecoming more successful than we initially anticipated.
mostly about the miracle of forgiveness. This book hasWe are in the process of preparing ourselves for
changed my life.FB: Dr. Maya Angelou -- a phenomenalwhatever it brings.FB: Tell us about your current and
woman. You actually met her, correct? Would youforthcoming projects.DeeJazz: Hattie and I are in the
describe the experience?DeeJazz: Yes. I met Dr.planning stages of a nationwide tour. We'll be doing a
Angelou in August of this year. After hearing my CDfull stage production/concert. I will sing with a live band
she invited me to New York to sing for an "open mic"orchestra including background singers. And, at times, it
night at Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar. I saw herwill be accompanied by interpretive dancers/actors.
when she began walking down the aisle way. SheHattie will expound with spiritual insights during
appeared majestic in her red evening dress withextended instrumental sections of the songs. Also, we
escorts in front, and back of her. When she got close,will do workshops consisting of her speaking and my
she smiled and touched me on the shoulder. I felt like Isinging. The participants get lots of hands-on
had been touched by an angel. She was then taken toawakening experiences using tools and methods we
a private area where she would watch the show byhave used and that have worked in our own lives.
monitor.A little while later her assistant came to HattieWe're also planning another CD/book combo.FB: That
and I and guided us to her table. She shook our handssounds like a magnificent production... In reference to
and was incredibly gracious and warm. She treated usyour use of "awakening experiences," would you say
like we were royalty. Amazing ... Hattie recited one ofthat in our natural state we are simply unaware of, or
Dr. Angelou's quotes that had made an impression ondo we intentionally suppress the Greatness within
her life and Dr. Angelou expounded on it eloquentlyus?DeeJazz: In our truly natural state, we are awake.
adding even more insight. We felt blessed and honoredAwake within our Spiritual Oneness with everything
to be in her presence. Afterward, I was told sheand everyONE. However, in our unnatural state, which
commented on my performance saying it was,is nearly everyone's daily experience, we most
"Delightfully impressive."FB: What was it likedefinitely suppress the Greatness within us. How many
collaborating with your sister, Hattie Maeof us suppress acceptance, understanding and
Jackson-Pembrook, as she completed the companionforgiveness in everyday situations? Most of us, most
text for your album?DeeJazz: Collaborating with myof the time."Awakening" requires a decision. A decision
sister as she wrote the companion text, Messages tothat says the way we have been living, is not working.
Awaken yourSelf, was a most exciting and rewardingA decision that if "we," meaning, "If I don't accept the
time. When she was challenged around her abilities Iresponsibility to change it, who will?" In our workshops
would encourage and prod her along the way. I knewwe seek to inspire an awakening experience in the
that she could do it and I reminded her how she hadparticipants so they can have a personal encounter or
been my inspiration. When I was a teen, Hattie was aa remembrance of what it feels like to be "awake."FB:
motivational speaker. I loved attending her speechesIs there anything you would like to add before we
and I heard her say many times that she wanted togo?DeeJazz: Lately, I've been experiencing intense
write a book. Well, the messages in my songs allgratitude. The information that I am being guided to is
came from books/classes and workshops she hadliterally changing my life experience. The powerful
exposed me to, so I knew this was the perfectideas and methods that I learn and practice are what I
opportunity for her to write her first book. After sheconvey in my songs in an effort to help people wake
completed a chapter, I would edit it to our mutualup to their innate divinity. We are spiritual beings and
approval. We had minor clashes about which picturesuntil we wake up to this fact, we will remain asleep
to use, and occasionally she lamented: "Anotherand will not experience our true reality, which is love.FB:
rewrite?" But, we settled them quickly without muchThank you, DeeJazz for taking the time to share. I
dissension.FB:In the forward of Hattie's Book,certainly enjoyed my time with you.DeeJazz: Thank
Messages to Awaken yourSelf, you mention that youyou, Fran for allowing me this wonderful opportunity to
experienced mental telepathy with a dog. Was itshare.On assignment with eMediaCampaigns!, Fran
deliberate?DeeJazz: Yes, it was deliberate. I don'tBriggs interviewed Dolores "DeeJazz" Jackson in
know exactly how I discovered it, but I noticed the dogOctober, 2005.DeeJazz can be contacted at:
could hear me when I would "think" a command to him.e-mail:
It was a Great Dane. I told him to get up and come towebsite: Hattie Mae Jackson-Pembrook may be
me, and he did. Then I told him to go lay down, and hecontacted at:
did. After doing this several times I was very surprisede-mail:
and decided I would show my little 9-year-old neighbor.website: Briggs is an author, peak performance coach
I said, "Watch this, I'll tell him to get up in my mind andand motivational speaker. She is also the Director of
he will." So, I did, and the dog responded. Then, I gaveOperations at eMediaCampaigns! and the President of
the mental command to lay down and he followedThe Fran Briggs Companies, an organization dedicated
again. Needless to say, my little friend was highlyto the personal and professional development of
impressed. However, mental telepathy as well as otherindividuals and groups around the globe. The
so called extra-sensory perceptions, are commoncompany's personal development website offers a
place when we remove the erroneous belief offree, exciting twice-monthly newsletter designed to
ourselves as mere, human beings. At that time I hadhelp individuals live a happier, healthier and wealthier life.
been faithfully practicing for three months a powerfulPlease visit for more information.