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