Talks of Jazz, The Music and The Culture with Lon Ivey

On Sunday evenings when New York is being illuminated by the light of the moon, some folks log on to their computers or phones to listen attentively to the positive vibrations of my radio show, Jazz on the JNote.

Because April was Jazz Appreciation Month, I thought it would be fitting to capture the energy and excitement of the melodious artform by featuring some of the world’s many men and women of jazz who could talk to a meaningful extent about their momentous journeys as craftspeople of music. The idea danced through my head for a while. I am thankful for the most part that I was able to shape the vision into reality and remained remarkably consistent throughout the entire month of April, even in these benighted times.

Our special guest on April 5, 2020 was NYC drummer, Lon Ivey who had an endless supply of ideas that he was willing to share about how his career started, about his definition of jazz and about how young aspiring artists can prosper in their efforts to yield their fruit. 

He definitely had some knowledge to pass on that you might get in a typical classroom situation from a teacher delivering a lesson and leaving students well-equipped to move forward. I admire his courage and was honored to have him present on the show. For the most part, it was an intelligent discussion of unique viewpoints, shared stories and prodigious knowledge.

The question, what is jazz alone, can set someone off on a spate of wondering. And so, it is interesting to tap into the brain of different people to see what their philosophies are. The engaging melodies, the conversation and the cultural landscape of jazz is what the show is centered on.

Some of the viable community of listeners tune in while plopped on their couches in the comfort of their living rooms. Some of the members of the diverse audience, listen to the montage of jazz while driving in cruise control down the thoroughfares of their hometowns. Others enjoy the creative freedom of jazz that is built into this show while sitting on the sand at the ocean and taking in the atmosphere.

I thought the content of this show was worth sharing for folks who didn’t get a chance tocapture the energy of the show when it was aired. On any given Sunday, Jazz on the JNote can be heard all around the globe at 7PM EST at http://theenglishconnectionmedia.com.

If I aroused interest in you and you are willing to patronize of the arts and to take in the absorbable, joyous sounds, you can get your fix on the episode of Jazz on the JNote Radio Show which was hosted and produced by Stephanie Jeannot and featured NYC drummer Lon Ivey; as previously aired on April 5, 2020. Here is the link:  https://youtu.be/8-O_Syg_8PQ via @YouTube. 

Listening might do a few things. It might lift your spirits and fill your heart with content. It might calm the mind that is usually full of busy thoughts. It might birth new feelings of creativity in you. It might get you moving them undulating hips to the twists and turns of the music. It might even compel you to want to listen to a live show on a Sunday evening at 7PM EST at http://theenglishconnectionmedia.com.  You might have negative feedback to sting me like a bee because it was a dismal experience for you. Or, you might be in the absence of care just because it is not your thing.

Regardless, I feel mightily blessed that you took the time to read my blogpost. Your simple act of kindness means everything in the world. I am content that there are still ways to have a connected presence with people all over the globe such as in the human connection that is present in reading, writing and music. I am eternally grateful to you.

Music Put Its Arms Around Me And Forced Me To Fall In Love

There is a quote by W.H. Auden that says, “music is the best means for digesting time.”

I wouldn’t doubt that because it has definitely got me through this quarantine, being trapped in my home with ample time to do while the spinning world takes a repose from the business of it all that it used to be. 

In this social distancing world where we are more and more creating these digital communities and finding time to learn something new every day, I have definitely been feeding my soul with purposeful creativity. Being in isolation made me realize how to access and control my superpowers better than I had before.

I have been unleashing my mindset through song and poetry. I have found different ways to give the world a taste of my skills. Music has found its way to dance quick circles around me and I had no choice by to simply jump in with a listening ear and a butterfly of speech to add my own creative juices into the universe. My time in quarantine has been a singing revolution from my heart because it has fueled me with confidence.

If music didn’t move me before this pandemic contagion, it has put its arm around me and forced me to fall in love with its sophisticated soul. It has been my wing of security. It has helped me to generate chuckles and smiles. And so, while I am trapped in my home, I seize every moment to listen to sultry voices of different instruments blaring through my amplified speakers and also, different podcasts and on-line seminars that have helped me to rise above the circumstances that the coronavirus has left us in which has helped me go gain more self-esteem and I am so thankful for that.

If you are like me and in these trying moments, music make you think differently, perhaps you might be interested in discovering some music sounds that you may not have heard before. Music has given me an overwhelming sense of comfort and I would like to invite you to check out this music playlist created by E.N.D.I.E. FIYA, which has made a positive impact on my world.

While every spoon-fed thought about the coronavirus is being served that sends me into a frenzy, this playlist has spread love around the world. It features music from different indie artists, and it is a great listen. I am also excited to have one of my songs featured in this playlist among the many other songs that are presented which I found to be through enjoyable and heightened the mood of encouragement that felt just right in these crazy moments we are facing.

So here is the link to it if you are interested in listening:  https://youtu.be/RJvEtD_aVYQ.  

Hope you enjoy it. God bless you and be safe out there. Much love!

"In My Quietude..." by Stephanie Jeannot

April is National Poetry Month. It is a month dedicated to celebrating the art of the many poets and poetesses in the world. 

My first experiences writing came in the form of poetic verse. I love to write and during this world crisis and in my quietude, I have found ample time to put my pen to paper and to just let my thoughts flow. 

I am sad that I have not been able to place my 2020 American Poets' Society National Poetry Month Poster on the wall of my classroom this year but I am happy to put some of my own poetry on to the wall of this blog and I hope that you will take the time to read it. This poem is entitled "In my Quietude"

In My Quietude

In my quietude

I have spent a good deal of time 

inside lately

The coronavirus has been 

attacking our livelihood lately

But I don’t take 

my blessings for granted

I still acknowledge and steward 

over each day that I am handed

Surely this COVID 19 

has shifted my thinking

I’m bombarded with so much news of it 

that has left me crippled broken

In my quietude, I wonder

How many can handle 

all this darkness with ease?

How can I truly operate 

through all of this in victory?

I don’t want to accept the idea 

that this is a losing battle.

This pandemic contagion has come 

and the earth it has rattled.

In my quietude, I have come to the conclusion that 

These are some of the darkest moments 

I have ever seen.

I’m affected by all the ambulance sirens 

and this shifting economy.

I can definitely say 

that I have been pierced with sorrow.

In the twinkling of an eye, 

I’ve lost so many that I won’t be able to physically embrace tomorrow

I am hoping that these dark times 

won’t sway my viewpoint of faith

I am praying that sooner than later 

this disease will get out of our way

I guess you can say with this quarantine 

I have quiet time dedicated to my thoughts

I am trying to overcome 

the circumstance of the coronavirus that haunts

The beat goes on 

even if I let the doubts of surviving take over

My hurts sting for the world 

as it continues to lose soldiers

In my quietude, I realized that 

I have faced many trials in my life 

but not like 2020

So many good times experienced 

stay frozen in my memory

I only hope to move from the empty cityscapes 

and get back on to non-virtual social track soon

I give credit to all my inspirers 

who keep me from totally being blue

And all the essential workers 

diligently working to save so many lives

And all the prayer warriors praying 

for healing over the world and for better times

_______________________________________________________

Thank you for taking the time to read my poem. I am a poet at heart and also have a few poetry books that you might find interest in reading. Please check them out here: Stephanie Jeannot's Author Page on Amazon

But if The Doors Are Open, "I'll Be There."

As a singer, it is my job to find tunes that fit my tessitura. 

If I have the opportunity to serenade a roomful of folks, I want to try to champion my efforts by doing a song that properly fits my voice. This means that I should know every lyric and every nuance of the songs chosen and must also  be open to speculation if I forget even one lyric or utter the song a little different than what the listening audience knows. 

But even while doing cover songs, we as singers still work hard to try to create our own distinctive sound. Lately, I have had this willingness to just  experiment from the confines of the bandstand in front of whoever is there and so, I decided to start sharing my original compositions more and more because I am not just a cover artist; I am a songwriter. 

Such was the case the other night when percussionist, Rick Santa, asked me to co-host their open mic night at Hat City Kitchen in Orange, NJ. 

In spite of all the talks of the coronavirus, I feel that there is a sort of healingness in music and so, I showed up ready to sing. 

If God put me on this planet with a purpose, my duty is to share my gift and talent and so I did. The Corner Pocket Band was subtle and flexible which made it easy to be able to flex with them as I scanned the crowd and tried to send out some encouragement to the people and the establishment which saw less of a crowd because of growing concerns of their customers about the pandemic, as I sang the words to my song "I'll Be There." Please check out a snippet of my performance 

here: https://youtu.be/QRWA0FvntKs

It always feels good to be able to do my own material and to see folks who are open-minded and willing to participate in my effort of getting people to have some type of response to what I am doing. 

I guess I will be home working on my music and craft until everything passes over. This is a time where we can focus on improving who we are and getting things done that we need to do until the light at the end of the tunnel appears. 

I won't say that I am not scared of becoming ill with this ailment but in growing times of uncertainty and unrest, I think this is the perfect time to even if you stay home from everything else, to make it to church on Sunday morning. Why wait until you actually get the disease to access God?  

Use your smarts. Be safe out there. Wash your hands. I see people who come out the bathroom stall and leave the lavatory without even sprinkling a bit of water onto their hands. 

Do you know if the person who touched the doorknob you just touched before you did, just picked their nose or sneezed without washing their hands? You just never know. 

Let's stay safe. If you feel sick, stay home. If you feel under the pressure and not sure of how to handle all the news reports, have an intimate conversation with God and see what happens. 

We should be actively praying for a healing over the world. I'll play it safe and be at home doing everything I can to keep my mind engaged and not get weary and lazy but on Sunday morning if the church doors are open, "I'll Be There."   

Please check out the original version of my song "I'll Be There" on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/track/11V3lJph5uzycZa2Qa8azp?si=wZKX5QifQMC_mYkMXAyFiw

Thank you for checking out my blogpost.

God bless you all! 

Sometimes a Song Lyric, Filters Through Me Like "Wherever You Are"

Sometimes a song lyric, filters through me and it comes striking my thoughts, so full of color that I can’t ignore the vibration; I am forced to write. And so, I write.

“Wherever You Are” is one of those songs. My emotions were just right there and somehow I transferred what I was feeling at that very moment, musically. My Korg Triton was turned on and not that far after was I laying down piano chords onto my Cakewalk Sonar recording software.  

Getting into an environment where positivity is just flowing through the air makes me feel more than desirous to share what I conceived and gave birth to. Such was the case at Rustik Tavern.

There was live music and the night was being hosted by my friend Eric Frazier and the fact that the location of it was right there not too far from me in The Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, NY, made me get over my weariness real quick so I could be right there amongst the music lovers, musicians and locals enjoying the atmosphere.

The musicians were inspiring each other and blaring out a potpourri of wonderful sounds, appeasing to the heart. It was an open mic jam forum and so, I was excited to be able to join in the experience. My original song, 

“Wherever You Are” was in my heart 

and so, I pulled out my fake sheet for 

the tune, handed it to the musicians to accompany me and sang my lyrics.

Please check out a clip of the live performance here: https://youtu.be/uqJrXs9tVmk

The song lingered on and it just became a call-and-response thing and felt good to just let out my sigh for the day and to have a conversation with the warm hearts that let me in with their connecting.

Salute to all the songwriters unafraid to let you own words tumble out over your tongue and into the atmosphere. We conceive songs like babies being created fearfully and wonderfully. We put melodies together and then our children are born; our songs created with the spirit God crafted within us. Thank you for every watch and every like and every comment and every furtherance of action and any support that you have lent to me in my mission to be who I be more. To be able to share my gift with you means everything. Hope it inspires you in some way. And, if it does, please check me out on Spotify and follow, listen or like the song. Keyword: Stephanie Jeannot. 

https://open.spotify.com/album/0UZOWgejheSU2clMnqQR6c

Thank you for listening/watching.

Jazz Keeps Unfolding in the Walls of My Heart

My hearts unfolds like a flower when I get the opportunity to experience the culture of jazz.

 I was squealing with delight at the idea of celebrating nature’s abundance of simple joys.  What was being celebrated?

Black history.

Jazz history.

The history of jazz dance.

The event was hosted by the Harlem Swing Dance Society and was held at the Pelham Fritz Recreational Center in Harlem, NY and featured me and my band, Stephanie Jeannot’s Savoy Four Band.

Please check out the mini clip of the event that was held here:

https://youtu.be/NmgnLuWKMBI

The ambiance was great there in that Harlem venue located at Mount Morris Park. The art on the walls gave an appeal that just melted my heart. 

I walked in and saw dancers dancing with an instructor teaching them a bit of jazz dance from its history at the Savoy Ballroom where the lindy hop was first introduced. I always enjoy these events because of the air of knowledge and jazz that I am able to breathe in while history is being shared until the band is ready to play the music to set the dancers up on a rhythmic fleet.

An eclectic array of standards was hoisted into the air met by the swinging dancers on the floor who met our sounds with energetic body movements. We played finger snapping rhythms, evocative classics, and modernized versions of antiquated songs. The instrumentalists did not shy away from improvising solos or showcasing their unique flavor which made it easy for me to be drawn in by their sounds to sing before the host of people rhythmically propelled to dance to the music. They danced to throbbing beats played by Napoleon Revels-Bey who approached the counter rhythms with brushes of purposeful soulfulness. They bopped to the thumping of the technical virtuosity of Hill Greene. They hammered their heels to the floor to the variety of tinkling sound played by pianist Danny Dalelio and I sang to the twists and turns of their music as the music gave a cultural salute to the sounds they played.

I was suddenly flooded with memories of earlier times when purveyors of the music would gather dressed to the nines to share their artistic expression. I thought of artists like Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and Max Roach. Music was definitely their vehicle for improvisation whether it was playing, singing or dancing to it because music is all about self-expression and sharing.  They were always draped in the finest of threads and communicating to the audience with their hearts full of music. It was a fertile harmonic ground for joy to be sprung. It was the world’s most glamorous atmosphere and jazz history at its best. How could one not absorb the cultural influences and be inspired by those troubadours of yesteryear who made great triumphs with their music?

With each deep-throated growl, the onlookers danced and danced and danced. 

That day still remains imprisoned in the walls of my heart. I have a growing admiration for the culture of jazz which makes my heart skip a beat more and more each time I dabble into it. Music infuses me enthusiasm and makes me feel alive. And so, I have grown this insatiable hunger to listen and to learn and to sing and to dance and to just take in music as much as I can; because it is my first love and because I have a growing appetite for it. 

The more I sing, the more it calms my rage. Thankful for every musical opportunity and for the beautiful gift of song that God planted in me when he fearfully and wonderfully created me.

Rehearsal Modes of JNote: Just A Sittin' And- a-Rollocking

Trying out my new camera I got for my computer. The C270 HD Webcam to be exact. I set it up and now just checking to see how useful it really might be to me.

So, why not try it out the best way I can; with my web series Rehearsal Modes of JNote.

This is the 17th edition. I never tried it live before so, this was a trial run.

Would you please watch it and tell me your thoughts. I love criticism because it is helpful for my furtherance.

I practice singing more than piano. I guess I always have. But I liked playign piano; especially for songwriting. I used it to produce my original tune

"Wherever You ARe." If you have never heard it, you can check out my tune here:

I'm not use to all this piano stuff but it's coming to me more and more because I was really using it mainly for writing songs prior to this.

Join my rehearsal and give me some feedback. I take lessons every now and again but this is my practice session one-on-one with my creative space, airing out my musical roar.

Hope you enjoyed this episode.

God bless!Check out my website for more http://jnotemusic.com