His Purpleness Has Arrived

Hey JayeScribers....

SOO!!!!  I just saw prince in CONCERT after SEVEN years!!!!!!!!!  First words out of my mouth are AWESOME, EXCITING, INVIGORATING....Prince is so much more than a persona, he truly is a musician and musical genius.

With his bohemian-esque attire, flashy jewelry, signature high heeled pumps, Prince brought down the Forum with smash hits like "Little Red Corvette", "Musicology", "Kiss", and of course he couldn't leave the stage without pouring the storm down with his "Purple Rain". 

With opener and special guest Mary J. Blige at his side this show was definitely a concert that you didn't want to miss.  Vivica A. Fox even came to show the star his props.

I bow gracefully in the presence of musical greatness and Prince has DEFINITELY earned his name of "The  Purple Majesty".

For tour dates please visit Ticket Master. 

~Till next blog I'm Danyol Jaye with The Jaye Spot~

Celebrating A Legend

From the greased hair to the upward pointing trumpet; nothing captures this legends legacy quite like his puffy cheeks and genre inspiring contributions to the world of Jazz, Afro-Cuban and Caribbean music, just to name a few.  John Birks Gillespie was born October 21, 1917 in Cheraw, South Carolina.  An American Jazz musician, singer, composer and band leader, John Birks Gillespie, better known to the world as Dizzy for his on-stage antics, has built the platform for Jazz music and many other genre's as we know them today. 

Playing the piano at the age of 4 and teaching himself how to play the trombone and trumpet by the age of 12, it was no secret that this little boy from South Carolina would grow up to be the world reknown Dizzy Gillespie.  Having played for acts such as Charlie Parker, Cab Calloway and Bud Powell, Dizzy was instrumental in the birthing of Bebop in the early to mid 1940's.  With the growing popularity of Swing music, Bepop was thought to be an outgrowth of Swing rather than a revolution.  Gillespie compositions like "Groovin' High", "Woody n' You" and "Salt Peanuts" sounded radically different, harmonically and rhythmically, from the Swing music popular at the time.  However, Dizzy found a way into the hearts of America with his crazy cheeks, amazing sound and genius composition.  It is said that the vocal Jazz inflection known as Scatting was also due to Mr. Gillespie.  Recording a song for his album, Dizzy accidentially dropped his sheet music and simply began creating sounds with his mouth to imitate instruments and thus birthed the first scat. 

Going on to conduct and play in a plethora of small bands and headlining his own big band, Gillespie toured the world performing for audiences everywhere and becoming the icon for the Bop era of the time.  Having past away on January 6, 1993 from pancreatic cancer, Dizzy had been known around the world as the "Ambassador of Jazz", the "Sound of Surpise" and most importanty a Jazz Legend.  Having been a part of a movement that included greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Mary Lou Williams and having inspired artists such as Miles Davis and Max Roach, Dizzy has definitely stamped his prints in the cement of music forever.

In honor of his legacy and amazing artistry Google celebrates a legend by creating a "doddle" of Dizzy doing what he loves to do best....playing that horn!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Dizzy Gillespie!!!!  You are truly missed and will remain alive in our hearts for generations to come.

~Till next blog I'm Danyol Jaye with The Jaye Spot~

Being Honored.....But Still Humbled

It is always a humbling experience when you find that the very things that fuel your passion are things that people wish to acknowledge and support as well as honor.  I have been working with youth and non profits since the age of 14.  I am 24 (soon to be 25) and in 10 years I've had the amazing priviledge to see some of the most amazing youth grow and develop their talents in the arts. 

Art Share Los Angeles has been on of those places that will forever be etched into my heart and has become a staple in the legacy that I wish to leave behind when I leave this world.  Studenst like David, Robert, Enrique, Rocio, Jennifer, Gaby, Evelyn, Rene & Abel, just to name a few, are the reasons why I do what I do.

Every so often you are blessed by someone else that wishes to
acknowledge your work.  The Life Through Arts Foundation wishes to do just that.  During their 6th annual Red Party Fundraiser, they will be Honoring Me for my contribution to Art Education and Youth Involvement.  Tickets are $75 and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see some familiar faces as I except this award.  For more Info & to purchase Tickets please visit http://www.ltaf.org/

Although I am recieving this award, I accept it on behalf of ALL my students, because without them this award wouldn't be possible.

In addition to all of this I will be a featured artist during Art Share LA's Valentine's Day Fundraiser.  Tony White & The Tony White Quartet will be spreading the rhythms of Jazz and romance and they will be featuring me to help spread the love. 

Tickets are $20 w/RSVP and $25 @ the door.  For more information on this event please visit http://www.artsharela.org/


Once again I thank you ALL for your continued support!!!!!

~Till next blog, I'm Danyol Jaye with The Jaye Spot~