Black History Month Tribute.

In honor of Black History Month I decided to take the time to remember an icon of the music industry. She's not played in your car today, in fact it would be kind of weird, but she has influenced our music today and is a legend of the Harlem Renissance. Ms. Lena Horne is known as one of the most popular African American entertainers of the twentieth century. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 30, 1917, Horne was an actress, singer, and civil rights pioneer, who was considered one of the most talented and influential women of her generation. She drew her influence from her grandmother, Cora Calhoun a philanthropist, advocate of education for Blacks, and a seasoned political activist.  Lena became a member of the NAACP as a toodler.

That is until she moved with her mother and started to work at the Cotton Club to help her family. There, Horne was influenced by such major figures as Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. She eventually joined the orchestra of famed band leader Noble Sissle and toured the country, where she first earned her fame and recongnition. She credited Sissle’s mentorship as the bedrock on which she built her future career. She became the first Black actress to sign a long term contract with a major Hollywood studio, and starred in movies such as, Panama Hattie, Cabin the Sky, Stormy Weather,and the classic The Wiz. But ,Stormy weather is where she got her break as a singer, singing the song "Stormy Weather". She was qouted saying, “Whatever petitions I’ve signed or benefits I’ve played I’ve not done because I had any broad or deep political program I was pushing. I had just learned from my father and from my grandmother not to take any nonsense from anybody.” Ms. Horne has been honored as a recipient of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The honorable Lena Mary Calhoun Horne passed away on May 9, 2010, but her music and inspirational spirit  lives on today and forever. 

Talks With Egan...

Today my mentor, Mr. Egan, and I had our first chat of many and as always it was very liberating. We discussed my adventure to meet my sponsor and how it all went. I informed him that our meeting went well and that I was looking forward to the next one. Being that my mentor is such a busy man I made our chat short and sweet, letting him know that my next sponsor meeting is on Friday and he was please with my progress. Also, Egan was very concerned that he couldn’t view or comment on my blog, so I offered to make him a personal blog for himself. By our next meeting I hope to have his blog up and running so that he can feel that blog experience that we all love so much. I will also update him on the new things I learn while visiting my sponsor.

Voyage #1-"WAKE ME UP FOLGERS"

My first visit to my sponsor was a very nice introduction for what is to come. Ron and I, meet up with our sponsor Mr. Randall Johnson at his in house studio this week. During our visit ,Mr. Randall was in the middle of a studio session with a friend his, helping with the Folgers Jingle Contest. It was a amazing, her voice, Mr. Randall's influence with the beat, and the jingle as a whole was polished and clean. Unfortunately, I do not remember her name, but her sting and ken eye for her music set in on me. I then wondered if I could ever be comfortable enough to the same.
For instance, when I sing, although it may seem as if my confidence is at an all time high, I am holding back with each note. The Folgers contestant sang her jingle with pose and passion; for someone who doesn't drink coffee , I could've went for a cup with each time she sang it. Also, Ron and I came up with several ideas for our one hour presentations that are sure to be a hit,(details will come later). I can definately say this should be a great and eye-opening experience for Ron ,also. As we sat and watched Mr. Johnson compose the music as a whole he was teach Ron how to make notes longer or short and the different types of engineering programs there are. We both got the chance to showcase our talents, and Mr. Johnson seemed impressed.  I am extremely excited for our next journey to Mr. Johnson.

*The picture to the left is of Mr. Randall, His friend (unknown), and Ron. Just seemed like a great picture.

Super Bowl NO NO!

 Just like most Americans I was tuned into Super Bowl XLV, and might I say the opening was one to miss. I say this because Ms. Aguilera stumbled over a few key words in our National Anthem, and I’m sure she may have hoped no one caught it, but the whole U.S did. How can you forget the National Anthem?  

The announcer clearly stated that she would "now honor America" with her presentation of this nation's unifying theme. However, she did anything but. Yes I am a fan but, I think she was so obsessed with her own vocal style that she couldn't even remember the lyrics properly, and misquoted them. She played off the mistake saying, “I am truly sorry for my mistake and I happened to be going through a lot, so unlike the football players I didn’t come in with my head in the game”. I hope she does next time because I don’t think the world can go through that again.

Some say she may have been drunk or she just really forgot the words ;either way she made a fool of herself. Below is a video of the event , see if you can point out which line she missed , trust me its not very noticeable.

Welcome To Me.!

Hello parents, mentors, and sponsors, welcome to our Senior Project kick off event.My name is Jasmin Davis and although I have no one here with me tonight my amazing mentor Mr. Egan, new sponsor Mr. Randall, and family members do send their apologizes. My topic is about music and I would like to explore the legal and cruel aspect behide it. For instance, young performers in the industry have to make sure that their manager and the team behide them have their best interest at heart, or in the end  their hard work will be for nothing. Pretty soon the class will have to individually write an essay about a thesis statment of our choice. My topic is mainly about the challeges to be aware of when entering the music industry. Although it seems as if a wide spead topic I will be sure to be insightful in firm with my thesis. Thank you for listening and enjoy the rest of the night.