How do I begin to tell what this year has brought me? The last day of May, 2016 marked the day I entered a new fantastic phase of my life. What a landmark year for me! It was a special gift to me because after a near death experience in my 20’s I had never dreamed I would still be living and experiencing so much life. What a roller coaster ride! Growing along the way brought me hurdles I thought I’d never be able to overcome but now I have been given the opportunity to see it was all a divine growth experience—and yes, those growth experiences are still happening. I have been given grace and gratitude.
Allow me to speak of gratitude for those things that happened when I decided to tell my three children what I would like for my 80th birthday. I had thought long and hard and weighed the possibilities, I finally decided rather than a large party or concert with family and friends from across the country (which could be costly for many of them to attend either physically or financially New York) I would like to have another adventure. I love jazz and travel. I told them I wanted to attend Barry Harris’ Jazz Workshop in Rome, Italy in September. I had never been to Italy (though I did step over the border in the 80’s on my first trip to France). But Rome; magnifico! When I announced my desire, the three of them said together over (quite appropriately) pizza, “You’re going to Rome!”
Posts By ejayetraceysongstylist
Nubuko Cobi Narita is 90!
Friday culminated a wonderful week of the music I enjoy. I was privileged to give tribute to Nubuko Cobi Narita at her 90th Birthday Celebration at St. Peter’s Church Friday March 18 along with many other jazz greats she has helped and supported along with her late husband Paul Ash. Her guests of honor were Mable Lee a fabulous dancer/singer who is now 93 and sassy as ever with gorgeous legs from a dancing career and Yvette Glover the mother of Savion and a marvelous inspirational vocalist. Cobi has helped me in my career by producing me in concert and promoting and allowing me to present my coaching session Me! The Diva Project. I am very grateful for her love and encouragement. Earlier in the week I was also in attendance at St. Peters for the Memorial and Celebration of the life of Mark Murphy. Both celebrations were glorious events. So many of my inspirations were performing or in attendance at both events. … Continue Reading
One Day on the 405 Freeway
One day on the 405 Freeway on my way to a therapy session (while my car was over-heating in snail crawl traffic) I got it! Yes, he had gotten me good! But I could handle this. Twenty-two years with Mr. Urban-Urbane had taught me to fight. Then, then came a terrorist attack on my main man! I must go back to him! Mr. Smooth wasn’t giving up easily. I had a fight with one of his ’97 Pontiacs running a red light in the rain while I crossed a street. It sent me to hospitals and rehab for six months of learning to walk again” –told you “Soothe & Smooth” was a killer. I wound up crooning to my crushed leg, often. I also became focused, centered and philosophical because there was plenty of time to evaluate my life. I was wiser and older and Mr. Smooth hated aging women. And now there was a war. My country was at war! (Medley) My final plea with Mr. Urbane to forgive me for deserting him and preparing for forgiveness and looking to the future. It was agreed that this had to be. Thought some might work–the bold