tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:/blogs/blog?p=2DeBo Speaks 2023-10-16T10:56:28-04:00Deborah Davis falsetag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375242018-01-16T19:00:00-05:002022-02-20T15:30:43-05:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY CEDAR WALTON<p>HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my home buoy Cedar Walton, born in Dallas, Tx 1934 - 2013. May he RIP . I may have come along a lot later, but I met Cedar in the Forest Theater in my neighborhood South Dallas. I had taken a piano player from college to see him as I was his protection to go into that part of town. If you know what I mean. He is of the Anglo variety. WE sat there listening to the music and I could not keep still. My head was bobbing as I danced in my seat. I saw Cedar catch a glimpse of me enjoying myself. From that night I clearly remember learning Cedar's arrangement of "MY SHIP". This was a song I had heard before but now, I was really into his tempo and arrangement on this particular tune. After the show my friend went to meet Cedar and to introduced himself. As he attempted to shake Cedar's hand, Cedar moved him aside and said, "forget about you, who is this young lady you have with you" (referring to me as he smiled and turned in my direction). No! Cedar wasn't flirting. It's just that he thought I was about 14 years old and he was impressed at how into the music I was. I told him I was 19 and went to NTSU but my parents lived there in South Dallas. We all got a good laugh out of it. By the time I moved to NYC, whenever I would run into Cedar at Bradley's he always remembered me and would call me "TEXAS". I never expected him to remember my name. Hey, Sarah Vaughn called me Bb. (LOL) I didn't expect her to remember my name either. Once at Bradley's Cedar gave me a chart to a tune he had written, and told me he wanted me to sing it with him. WE never got around to doing that tune, but every time I sing "My Ship" I'm thinking of Cedar Walton. Will be celebrating his birthday tomorrow night Jan.18, at <a data-imported="1" href="http://www.smokejazz.com/index.php/event-detail?eID=1040" target="_blank" title="SMOKE JAZZ CLUB">SMOKE JAZZ CLUB.</a> Come and join in the celebration. I'll be the TEXAS bell with a smile always bobbing my head. Much Respect Cedar Walton. You're missed! RIP!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/de8acb18d3427eeef6389f906c81b17dfd6729b9/original/cedar-walton.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375252018-01-14T19:00:00-05:002022-02-21T05:21:48-05:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
<p>In honor of MLK I am seriously thinking about how I deal with extreme adversity. I thought...Sometimes when people are lashing out they are actually reaching out. It's always best to respond in kind to negativity. Two wrongs never make a right. And in the words of my father Douglas Eugene Davis, Sr. (may he rest in peace) "He who acts a fool with a fool is a bigger damn fool than the fool he's acting a fool with." So there! <br></p>
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Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375232017-09-29T20:00:00-04:002022-02-21T06:00:51-05:00VOICES IN MY HEAD ( today)<p>VOICES IN MY HEAD (today) : So many people seem surprised that we're still having the COLOR CONVERSATION IN AMERICA? Where the hell have they been living, under a rock or what? Everyday I walk out my front door there's a color conversation and I'm not the one to start it either. I'm born on the cusp of change so I've seen a lot. I still remember the news on TV in 1960. As an adult, I started to believe America will always reap what it has sown. Spike Lee told 'yall to wake up years ago. Many are comatose. They will not be waking any time soon. Our sons and daughters will be singing the same old song. 'Praying for PEACE.</p>Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375222016-02-19T19:00:00-05:002016-02-20T08:19:15-05:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANCY WILSON
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<p style="text-align: center;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANCY. HERE'S WISHING YOU MANY, MANY MORE. THANKS FOR BEING A LIGHT! <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/ad04faa0ac8a680204145bed15d485c19a1e1016/original/167737-499364539794-3462058-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NzIweDU0MSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="541" width="720" /> </p>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff">FOUND THIS ON FACE BOOK. Had to share......................</span></h1>
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<p>Happy Birthday - "The Great Nancy Wilson".Nancy Wilson (born February 20, 1937 Chillicothe, Ohio) is an American Singer...</p>
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diversityradio22/" data-imported="1">Diversity Music Network</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/diversityradio22/posts/919837084802269:0" data-imported="1">Saturday, February 20, 2016</a>
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Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375212016-02-16T19:00:00-05:002019-04-26T22:02:36-04:00VOICES IN MY HEAD
<p>VOICES IN MY HEAD : Donald Trump is "testing" my ability to be non judgmental and tolerant of all people. Maybe I get a pass. Is he a person?</p>
Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375172016-02-08T19:00:00-05:002016-02-09T13:38:21-05:00UPTOWN BE FUNKING ME UP
<p>Still thinking bout Uptown Funking Me Up. (LOL)<br>I don't need to dance like this doing my show, but I'm gonna start doing the "Queen Bee" walk when ever I come into a room. Don't believe me just watch. Hey, hey, hey, hey (LOL)</p>
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Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375162016-02-07T19:00:00-05:002016-02-07T18:59:32-05:00The Express
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="dlivi-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dlivi-0-0">African American History</span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="2eeam-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2eeam-0-0">Feeling sentimental after watching " The Express". </span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="ct7a5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="ct7a5-0-0">It's a movie about the life of Ernie Davis. </span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="2nhej-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2nhej-0-0">Lots of memories for me in this movie. </span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="fbmvm-0-0"><span data-offset-key="fbmvm-0-0">My family home is only a mile away from the Dallas Cotton Bowl. </span></div>
<div class="_45m_ _2vxa" data-block="true" data-offset-key="t48n-0-0"><span data-offset-key="t48n-0-0">I jogged there and back often and attended so many High School football games there as a cheerleader. My father also lost his life to this aggressive form of Leukemia. For the past 19 years I've held Jazz Benefit concerts for the Cause. Watch the movie.</span></div>
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Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375072016-02-06T19:00:00-05:002022-02-21T05:47:56-05:00SUPER BALL SUNDAY<p>Once again, it is NOT likely that I will be watching football today. I think I OD'ed on sports when I was a Cheerleader from 7th grade through 12th but, all the while I just wanted to be in the band. (LOL) I might tune in just for the Half Time Show. (LOL) Or from time to time to check the score out of curiosity.</p>
<p>Caught Lady Gaga's National Anthem. Cool! </p>
<p>1/2 time 50th Anniversary show. Great! </p>
<p>Not impressed with the commercials at all. </p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Pearl C.Anderson Junior High School Steers</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Steerettes Cheerleader Captain Debo</strong></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/860f9fe4abc6b75a965dfe03774e7ef4413fd224/original/cheerleaderjrhi.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDE3eDYwNCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="604" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="417" /></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Lincoln High School Tigers </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Tiger Cheerleader Captain Debo</strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/a99a635c9c8c0804e0a783bcc9ebaf689ec5b208/original/cheerleaderhischool.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjA0eDQzMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="430" width="604" /></p>
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<p><br> </p>Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375082016-02-05T19:00:00-05:002022-02-21T05:46:14-05:00THE FOUR AGREEMENTS<p style="text-align: left;">You might get rejected on a daily basis or weekly or monthly, but if you make these "4 agreements" with yourself it won't matter. <br>1) Be Impeccable with your word <br>2) Don't take anything personally <br>3) Don't make assumptions <br>4) Always do your best </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> THE FOUR AGREEMENTS" - Don Miguel Ruiz</p>
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<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/c9639b5101740a3172cbaa098bb72773d5f04625/original/four-agreements.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NzQzeDc2OCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="768" width="743" /></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/47cb33b6eac3d17c2204280d53d9c07eb9f47d75/original/the-four-agreementsbkcover.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTU4eDgwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="800" width="558" /></p>Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375092016-02-02T19:00:00-05:002016-02-09T03:00:10-05:00African American History Month
<p style="text-align: center;">AFRICAN AMERICANS <br>ITS TIME FOR A PRAISE BREAK </p>
<p><br></p><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rnWbYqSJ3_w" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="425" class="wrapped wrapped"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375102016-01-31T19:00:00-05:002016-02-07T09:29:03-05:00My Favorite Video This Week
<p style="text-align: center;">OMG, You got to see this. This is favorite video right now. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I keep watching this kid over and over, just to smile. <em class="_4-k1 img sp_6-ALyxN5kwE sx_af8aa1">smile emoticon </em></p>
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<div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fRsoK_Jx1iU" width="425" class="wrapped wrapped"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375112016-01-22T19:00:00-05:002022-02-19T22:51:35-05:00All gigs cancelled for the Blizzard of 2016
<p style="text-align: left;">All things that are COLD are NOT COOL. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I guess we snuck one in on Friday night @ The Rainbow Room January 22, 2016 with Evan Sherman Big Band.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZcBcx6vPtwU" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="425" class="wrapped wrapped"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
<p style="text-align: center;">It might have been COLD outside as the Blizzard descended up on New York City on Friday night January 22, but it was "HOT" in the Rainbow Room. Let me tell you. Glad I was there! I had sung earlier with Evan and small group. At this point I was in the balcony, yelling, ONE MORE TIME. (LOL) Unfortunately .....Saturday night was canceled.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Here's why.........</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This is the morning after the gig. We are totally SNOWED IN at this point in New York City. <br>I went to the car to get my Snow Boots that have been in my trunk since March 2015, when I had to dig out my car to get to the airport to go to Thailand ( the first time in 2015) Now I'm back from Thailand ( January 1st 2016) and wondering why I left 95F weather behind. Ouch! All jokes aside, Besides that FLU I had last week, I'm ok.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/cedb5c0347facaed411d5bfec124a1b8c86f040b/original/cold1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTQweDk2MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="960" width="540" />). </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/543a473b8c12a1ecc06775df683cc8f81bf7d780/original/blizzard3.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTQweDk2MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="960" width="540" /></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/7ea88850151082c32d0199d999f6694026981408/original/blizzard4.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTQweDk2MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="960" width="540" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/716a0dd4cb5ab4ac01b5294cbcc16cc73696931d/original/blizzard5.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTQweDk2MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="960" width="540" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I went out to see just how deep it was. I couldn't find my car. I decided to knock a bit off just to check the depth. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375182016-01-04T19:00:00-05:002023-10-16T10:56:28-04:00Nancy Wilson<p>Recently I've been giving a lot of thought to all the great jazz vocalist that I've met and how grateful I am that I was able to meet so many of the great innovators of jazz song. Now days I think, who's left? I always think about Nancy Wilson and some great times I've spent with her. The thing about having met Nancy Wilson is this.........</p>
<p>When I was in college at North Texas State University ( which has been renamed University of North Texas) I was knowing for doing a lot of local jazz gigs between Denton and the Dallas Fort Worth areas. I had already been singing since age 16 when my high school choir director Robert Sanders added me to his weekend gigs. Now I was booking my own gigs, and hiring my own musicians at age 17,18, 19, 20. I guess I developed a reputation for being the chick to work with. All the young players at UNT wanted to gig so they were all asking little old me. Being a person of integrity, the problem I had was this. If you want to work with a singer, at least be able to tell me that you listen to singers records, know at least a basic repertoire of singer tunes and have done a basic amount of homework for the gig.</p>
<p>Lets face it, at this point in my career I was learning too. A college friend, trumpet player Freddie Jones had given me my 1st jazz LP ever. I didn't even have a record player at home growing up. Not that we were so poor, my folks just didn't listen to music. At this point, I was blown away by Betty Carter's "Social Call". Prior to that I was just singing what I had learned in high school from Robert. This was the beginning of me actually listing, researching and learning all the great jazz vocal LPs that I could find. On the top of that list, is that most famous Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderley record. I had learned it top to bottom and could sing every song. I loved that record and considered it to be one of my top 10 LP's to take if stranded on a desert island. So, I asked every single musician who called me if they knew the record. When they did not I proceeded to ask, "so what singers do you listen to then?" Nine out of ten of them didn't even listen to singers yet they wanted to do a gig with me. Being a person that operates on a more spiritual level when it comes to music, I felt they were all out of integrity. I'd already heard to many musicians dog singers, and complain about how they hate working with singers even at this young age. So when I learned that they don't even listen to singers I wondered why they wanted to work with one? Here's the thing. I told them to call me back when they at least learned the Nancy Wilson & Cannonball Adderley record and MAYBE we could talk. (LOL) When I met the few musicians who already knew this record and had other vocal LP's too, I'd call THEM for a gig first. </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/e74d565864b5d53895fb8b387c262b4838e07b6a/original/nancy-cannonball.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDM5MyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="393" width="400" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Lets jump to years later when I moved to New York City. It was the late 80's when I started to tour in Japan. For some untold reason Nancy Wilson seemed to always be on tour in Japan as well whenever I was there. She performed a lot at the Blue Note so I would always catch here there. One time I went by and she and her band finished their gig and came to the Body n Soul where I was performing. We all had a jam session. Nancy didn't sing BUT she got on the mic and introduced all of us like an M.C. Her piano player was ____________whom had worked with her for years. The bassist was Maurine _______ whom had also done gigs with me in New York and drummer __________. After saying a few words on the mic, Nancy sat with her manager John Leavy as I proceeded to sing. I wanted to sing something I had learned from her, at the same time that could be a disaster if I wasn't sure of myself. I felt like the band would know her repertoire, but I wasn't about to choose anything like her number one hit, "Guess Who I Saw Today". I called Lush Life. This is a song that I simply love singing. Nancy made me feel so comfortable enough to do it. After all she was hanging out with me. Though it's not a song I would call on any jam session, I was playing with Nancy's trio at this point and they knew the changes. A friend of mine from California, Harvey __________ was sitting at the table with Nancy and Leavy and overheard her say to him, "she can really sing". When he told me later I was really glad. Nancy gave me her address and phone number after that meeting so we could keep in touch. Sure I made a few calls sometimes and she always had encouraging words to say about my talent, however she understood exactly how this business could be and was to any aspiring jazz vocalist. At some point it was not longer about whether I'd "make it" or not. I just sing because I'm a singer. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I'm not sure what other songs I sang that night but like Nancy I'm inclined to introduce my songs with a little story about the song out front. I could easily have been going through something that I was singing about at the time and Nancy had a little chat with me. She said I was giving the audience to much information as she could tell I was getting emotional. After that chat, I thought about what she said and in the middle of my sleep one night I wrote this poem. This is NOT what Nancy told me yet it inspired a feeling for this particular poem:</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>"NEVER LET `EM SEE YOU SWEAT"</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> (This poem was inspired by something Nancy Wilson said to me) </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Push 'Em Up When They're Hanging,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Strap It In When It's Loose</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Dust It Off If It's Dirty <br>Bartender, Bring Me My Juice </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Wear A Smile, All The While <br>There's A Knife In Your Heart <br>Drink A Bottle Full Of Pepto<br>When All You Need , Is Just To Fart </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Make The Ladies Want To Be You <br>Make The Men, Dream Of What They Could Get <br>Girl You Better Pull Yourself Together<br>And Never Let 'Em See You Sweat</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">If You Don't Have The Time To Shower <br>Take a P.T.A. Instead <br>Missed Your Appointment At The Hairdresser<br>Put Some Gel Up In That Head </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">You're So Tired That You Forget The Words<br>Well, You Better Scat The Blues <br>Get On That Stage, No Matter What <br>You Have Got To Pay Your Dues </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Sing Your Ass Off For A Dollar <br>Or 50 cents And A Dollar Bet <br>But If You Want To Be A Diva <br>Never Let Them See You Sweat </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">So Push "Em Up Girl<br>Strap It In, Dust It Off, And Wear A Smile <br>If You Can Hold Out Long Enough<br>If You Can Travel Many Miles</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I Can't Say What Your Reward Will Be<br>Along The Way, You Might Forget <br>But The One Thing You'll Remember <br>I NEVER LET 'EM SEE ME SWEAT</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> ------------------------------------</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">On yet another tour in Japan Nancy was performing at the Play Boy jazz festival. I was there with Benny Green as he was on the bill as well. At some point in the evening Nancy and I were hanging out and took this picture which I've always treasured. The funny part about this picture to me is that I thought I was a grown woman at this stage and Nancy makes me appear to be a child. I have always been humbled by her talents, her beauty and her humility as well. She always treated me like I was just one of the girls. I could never imagine why. She has got to be 18 to 20 years older than me. I believe her career was beginning the year I was born. This is one of my favorite pictures. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/ad04faa0ac8a680204145bed15d485c19a1e1016/original/167737-499364539794-3462058-n.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NzIweDU0MSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="541" width="720" /></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">One another time I went to the Blue Note Tokyo to see Nancy and she was going through some personal loss. I believe it had to do with someone like her father dying or something. I just remember it being some tragic personal loss, but something that was expected yet inevitable. I could tell that she was going through something because she cried on stage. Then I realized it was the first time I had ever seen her like this. It was so touching that she had me crying too. As artist we always have to get on stage no matter what. The show must go on no matter what. I started to imagine just how much Nancy had been through in her life. I never really saw her sweat. She always looked like and sounded like perfection. This time she was just special because it was as if she was sharing the energy of her loss with the audience in a way that touched us on a human level far beyond just entertaining us. I imagined I was not the only one touched. </p>
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<p> </p>Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375192015-11-09T19:00:00-05:002018-01-17T17:27:49-05:00Clark Terry
<p style="text-align: left;">I had moved to New York in February, 1986 after visiting for the first time on New Years Eve. My first visit was December 31,1985 and I stayed for 10 days. I spent that entire 10 days hanging out and sitting in at jazz clubs with my friend pianist Benny Green. The hole time I don't think I saw much daylight as we'd hang out till 4am, get to bed 1st thing in the morning and then wake up way past sundown. The whole time reminded me of that song "YOU'RE BLAZE".</p>
<div class="_fdf _odf" style="text-align: right;">
<div class="kno-ecr-pt kno-fb-ctx" style="text-align: center;" data-ved="0ahUKEwjSr8-Nr_DKAhXJ8z4KHV9CDF0Q3B0IHCgAMAA">You're Blasé</div>
<div class="_gdf" style="text-align: center;"><span data-ved="0ahUKEwjSr8-Nr_DKAhXJ8z4KHV9CDF0Q2koIHSgBMAA"><a href="https://www.google.com/search?safe=strict&biw=1237&bih=607&q=Ella+Fitzgerald&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgVuLQz9U3SLGsKAQAwPm91gwAAAA&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjSr8-Nr_DKAhXJ8z4KHV9CDF0QMQgeMAA" data-ved="0ahUKEwjSr8-Nr_DKAhXJ8z4KHV9CDF0QMQgeMAA" data-imported="1">Ella Fitzgerald</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?safe=strict&biw=1237&bih=607&q=Joe+Pass&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgVuLQz9U3MDEuLAMAXl2BXwwAAAA&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjSr8-Nr_DKAhXJ8z4KHV9CDF0QMQgfMAA" data-ved="0ahUKEwjSr8-Nr_DKAhXJ8z4KHV9CDF0QMQgfMAA" data-imported="1">Joe Pass</a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">You're deep just like a chasm<br>You've no, enthusiasm<br>You're tired and uninspired<br>You're blase</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Your day is one of leisure<br>In which you search for pleasure<br>You're bored when you're adored<br>You're blase</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">While reaching for the moon<br>And the stars up in the sky<br>The simple things of normal life<br>Are slowly passing by</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>You sleep, the sun is shining</strong><br>You wake, its time for dining<br>There's nothing new for you to do<br>You're blase</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">While reaching for the moon<br>And the stars up in the sky<br>The simple things of normal life<br>Are slowly passing by</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">You sleep, the sun is shining<br>You wake, its time for dining<br>There's nothing new for you to do<br>You're blase</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Songwriters</strong><br> Ord Hamilton; Bruce Sievier</div>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p>Benny had a little gig every Monday night at a small club called Pats in Chelsea. I played with the band while I was here and the owner asked if I wanted the gig. I told him I didn't even live in New York. He told me if I ever moved to NY that the gig was mine. I went back to Dallas, and paid off my car note, had a garage sale, then packed my bags. I moved to New York before I could talk myself into changing my mind. At the time I had only one gig, one night a week in Dallas. Jazz tends to go in and out of fashion in Dallas so venues come and go. With an offer for one gig one night a week in New York I felt like it might be a good enough excuse to make some changes.</p>
<p>A faithful jazz fan from Pats in Chelsea was a freelance writer. Stuart used to come in every single Monday and listen to us play. He watched the audience grow at Pats in the first month that I was there regularly. I got to know Stuart just as a fan, so when he asked to do an interview I didn't really put two and two together until I saw the paper. It was a nice sized article in the New York News Day that graced the window of Pats for quite some time. I'm not sure who put who on the map but everything seemed to be in divine order as the place filled up for a while. I'd meet people who said that they heard about me. I'd often reply, I'm not sure if it's me you've heard about since I just got to town. They'd always reply then it's you. </p>
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<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/c74c03a8955ba0019521614c16d53cfb26bf99f5/original/nynewsday.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTgzeDcxOSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="719" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="583" /></p>
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<p>Aside from Pats in Chelsea I was picking up as many other gigs as possible in that first month here. I met a trumpet player Bill Kennedy who was a room mate of a college friend. Bill immediately started hiring me on his gigs on the chitterling circuit. I have to confess those juke joints in the Bronx were a lot of fun. Thank God I came from Texas and knew how to sing the blues. I was capable of doing 9 gigs in 7 days and still not having enough money to pay rent. I was not used to living off of anyone as I had been on my own since age 17, but was grateful that Benny had let me crash until things got better. I had no real understanding of how expensive New York was compared to Dallas until after I was already here. It was to late to turn back not. It was a sink or swim situation. I told myself I'd better learn to swim.</p>
<p>I was hanging out a a place called Carlos 1 because I knew Clark Terry was playing there. I had met his bassist Marcus McLaurine so I thought I'd drop in. I also knew that 2 of my best friends in college had played with him at some point. Clark was always good about teaching young musicians and taking them under his wing. I went to talk with him and told him my friends (bassist) Peter Dowdall and (drummer) Michael Baker had played with him while we were all in North Texas. I told him I was a singer and before you know it he was inviting me to do a week with him at Carlos 1. Of course I was elated and welcomed the challenge. I got my charts together and showed up for the hit. It was a lot of fun and I remember the band was saying that I swung like Betty Roche.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/475192c9b44bcadbb55659a53a762574556eac0d/original/deboclarkt.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDU0eDM2MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="360" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="454" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Stuart Troup who wrote the previous interview seemed to be more more excited than I was that I'd be singing with Clark Terry for a week. I thought he wanted to come interview Clark but he insisted that Clark didn't really need any more reviews, he was Clark Terry already. He wanted to review me. I"ll have to find a copy of the review, but I had written to the paper and they sent me a copy of the photo as I told them I'd love to have Clark Terry sign it for me. They mailed me this copy.</p>
<p>Funny thing about this gig. Clark asked me to sing with him but told me to negotiate my fees with the Club owner. Unfortunately I was never paid for the week long gig and ended up taking the club to small claims court just as a matter of principal. That's when I started to say, yea, I guess I do sing for free, I only charge for the amount of bull crap I have to go through surrounding the gig. After filing the small claim I still didn't get a dime. Not even after calling the marshal who said he could never find the guy. <br><br></p>
<p>I saw Clark Terry many times after that, mostly at the Blue Note . Then there was one time I ran into his band in Spain. Singing with Clark Terry has been one of the highlights of my career. I was really sad to learn of his passing last year. May he rest in peace.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375152012-12-30T19:00:00-05:002016-02-07T15:03:00-05:00Traveling Dues
<p>Coming home from Russia another successful stint in Mother Russia. Bags packed and got a few winks before I hit the airport. . I made it home and in true New York fashion was looking for parking for one hour. Since I've been in Russia, lay over in France and finally in America all in one day, IM SO ABOUT TO CRASH. New Years Eve in New York City, just like my very first time in the city. I love NEW YEARS.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/f4ca166a067e0b7c17128ca9fe898348d98cd30c/original/red-square.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Mjk0eDI5NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="294" width="294" /></p>
Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375202012-05-02T20:00:00-04:002016-05-24T13:44:20-04:00My Family of Poets
<p>My family is known for silly poems. I got a feeling it all started with my father who would recite poems at the strangest of times. I remember my one and only brother JR had a habit of driving mom crazy making so much NOISE around the house. Dad would spit out a poem from "who knows where". He said it so many times that I can recite it here without hesitation...........</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">There are such things that a boy can do</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">He can whistle so loud till the air turns blue </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">He can make all the sounds of the beast and the birds </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And a thousand other sounds you've never heard </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This world would be , God bless their noise </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">A dull old place, without little boys </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Other than that my father had other great quotes that also live with me today. One in particular keeps me out of trouble. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">"He who acts a fool with a fool, is a bigger damn fool than the fool he's acted a fool with" </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I've alway been happy that I know this one. People will totally test your nerves. The funniest thing about dad and his poetry was that he had a nick name "STONE FACE" to the guys who wanted to take out all his daughters. He didn't much smile unless it was absolutely necessary. I think the guys would tease, if you want to take out one of those Davis girls you'd better be sure you wear a suite cause stone face is gonna meet you at the door. Dad was what I called pretty even tempered, until the need to be otherwise. </p>
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Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375132011-12-28T19:00:00-05:002016-02-07T13:57:56-05:00Christmas 2011
<p>Christmas in the ATL was fun. It must have been 20 degrees warmer than NYC. I got some body wash & body spray, PJ's, house shoes, Yoga pants and top, A Hoodie, uh.....and I played with nieces and nephews for 7 days while eating WAY TO MUCH and mostly CARBS. (LOL) Now I have to get back to work and consider the upcoming resolutions??????</p>
<p> </p>
Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375142011-11-08T19:00:00-05:002019-02-24T14:33:38-05:00I'm A Little Bit Country
<p>I know I'm Country. ( actually every country ) Enjoying the CMA's. Yee Ha! Wishing I was back home in TEXAS. Think I"ll go put on my coveralls, and my boots just for the fun of it! Hey, my cowboy hat too! </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>COVERALLS</strong> <br><br>Spring Cleaning every year <br>It's that time again<br>30 years in The BIG Apple<br>Rotating the same tiny closet<br>But I can't seem to throw out my ….<br>COVERALLS <br><br></p>
<p>They remind me of home <br>Of summer's on my grandparents farm <br>Running barefoot through rows of corn <br>Picking wild blackberries to make a pie <br><br></p>
<p>Milking Cows and Churning Butter <br>Getting water from the alum well <br>Sitting on the porch shelling Purple Hulled Pea's<br>Lawd the stories I could tell <br><br></p>
<p>Bathing in a #3 tub <br>Washing clothes with a wash board <br>Hanging them on the clothes line to dry <br>Running from my country cousins <br>Being careful not to fall in that poison ivy vine <br><br></p>
<p>Lost my lucky buffalo nickel in the barn <br>Like looking for a needle in a hay stack <br>Going fishing in the creek <br>Grandpa caught a Turtle, Eeeeeek <br>"I'm not eating no turtle soup" <br>When you're not fishing, you learning to shoot <br>I don't wanna eat no coon either<br><br></p>
<p>Now, Grandma's 'bout to wring the neck on that chicken <br>I was just playing with that chicken <br>I made him a tiny little bonnet and everything<br>I named him Henry <br>"I don't wanna eat Henry", I cry <br>"Henry Gonna Be Some Good Eating Tonight", was her reply <br><br></p>
<p>Before bed, Grandma would search my body for ticks <br>She found one and burned him with a match stick<br>Last trip to the out house before I sleep <br>Climbing in bed with my big sister Kat-hy <br>I'd wet the bed anyway, and blame it on her <br>Everybody, always knew it was me <br>Mama said, "my baby shoes always smelled like pee"<br><br></p>
<p>Rising ever morning with the roosters <br>To the smell of Fresh Bacon and Eggs <br>So much work to do on this farm <br>No time for a child to rest her legs <br><br></p>
<p>Eating fresh tomatoes off the vine until my mouth was covered in acidic rash <br>In the pocket of my Coveralls the salt shaker was stashed <br>Deb - rie get out them 'maters and go slop 'den hogs <br>Grandpa put me on kitchen duty with Grandma <br>I couldn't hide sneaking 'maters with that rash around my lips<br><br></p>
<p>Grandma made cakes in a pot belly, wood burning oven <br>While I stood in the kitchen asking questions and wondering how she got 350 degrees <br>Then she'd teach me the secret to her "tater sala<br>And later on lessons on how to quilt <br>We'd share buttermilk and cornbread together in the kitchen at night <br>Sometimes she'd braid my hair<br>But when she got older I loved braiding hers <br><br></p>
<p>I miss my life on that family farm <br>I miss my grandpa's sweaty old hat <br>I miss that barn <br>I miss that horse I named Trigger <br>I miss that plow <br>That Tractor, The Scarecrow, The Pigs, and the Cows <br><br></p>
<p>I miss the time to plant and the time to sew <br>I miss the corn all in a row<br>I miss the peas, the carrots, the 'taters, and all<br>And sweet watermelon, cantelope , I miss it all <br>I miss my country folks and all their country ways <br>I miss my wonderful country summer days<br><br></p>
<p>I miss my grandma telling me bout the herbs <br>I know she thought I never listened, but somehow I heard <br>I miss the sound of the animals <br>I miss the sound of birds <br>I miss the stars at night <br>The unpaved roads <br>The smell of the trees and the clean air <br>I miss the house, my country cousins, the church<br>It saddens me that I'll never again go there<br><br></p>
<p>And that's one of the reasons <br>I can't seam to part <br>With my denim COVERALLS <br>They hold a special place in my heart </p>
Deborah Davis tag:deborahdavissings.com,2005:Post/61375122010-12-30T19:00:00-05:002019-02-24T14:32:17-05:00HAPPY New Year, New Beginning, New Life, New Friends, New Attitude, etc...
<p>HAPPY NEW YEAR to all! And to all a good night.</p>
<p>Every New Year I recall...............</p>
<p>I came to NEW YORK CITY for the very first time on NEW YEARS EVE, 1985 going into 1986. I went to the Blue Note with Benny Green as he was playing with Betty Carer at the time. I hung out so much that 10 days I don't think I saw the light of day as I was going to bed "in the wee small hours of the morning" every single night. During that first 10 days of the new year, I sat in at a club called Pats in Chelsea. The owner immediately offered me a regular weekly gig on Monday nights. I explained to him that I didn't even live in New York but was just here checking out the scene from Dallas, TX. He replied, "well, when you move here, and I know you will, the gig is yours". At the time, I only had one gig, one night a week in Dallas. Jazz was not in fashion in Dallas that year. It was always up and down. So...Giving it some serious thought I went back home to Dallas, had a garage sale, paid off my car, tied up some loose ends, packed my bags, and moved to NY by February 1986. (before I could change my mind or talk myself out of it.). I got off the buss at Penn Station with 2 foot lockers and a stuffed Koala Bear that Peter Dowdall brought me from Australia. I did that gig at Pats in Chelsea and learned that it was only $40 a night. Benny had given me his $40 making it $80 but I only learned that later. He thought it would help convince me to come I guess. Anyway, I got press from my one night a week gig at Pats in Chelsea within my 1st month here. I've been here ever since. It's hard to believe it was that long ago.</p>
<p>Wishing you all joyous memories for your New Year!</p>
<p>May you all grow in positive ways in the coming year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/398077/c74c03a8955ba0019521614c16d53cfb26bf99f5/original/nynewsday.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTgzeDcxOSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="719" width="583" /></p>
Deborah Davis