COME NETWORK IN JAZZ
"If I'd known I was going to live to be a hundred I'd have taken much better care of myself." ~ Eubie Blake
Profile
- Marital Status
- Licensed to love
- Where are you located?
- Milky Way Galaxy, earth, the woods, where next?
- Tell us a little about you....
- I'm a musician, vocalist, songwriter, composer, lyricist, writer, poet, spontaneous inventor, one witty mofo, animal and nature lover - God seeker, gardener, cooker, baker, and bookmaker. I dig anything artfully, brilliantly, and cleverly done.
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A Resounding “Yes!”
A multifaceted talent, Marissa Dodge has created an eclectic and expansive career over the last three decades. The legendary Lena Horne has compared Marissa’s songwriting to Strayhorn, and upon hearing her play and sing Ms. Horne replied, “You are good, you should sing your songs.” When the inimitable Shirley Horn heard Marissa sing and play, her reaction was, “You should be heard. You‘ve got ‘it.’“ “Fantastic,“ is the word Karrin Allyson used to describe Marissa’s lyric writing, and to this Ms. Allyson added, “I’ve always loved what you do, Marissa.” Grammy winning composer/arranger Jeremy Lubbock has called Marissa’s songs, “Gorgeous.” Grammy winning composer/arranger Bob Freedman has dubbed Marissa, “One of America’s finest lyricists.” Jazz luminary Jack McDuff stated, “Marissa is a gem, great, just great!” An impressive list of vocalists and musicians have recorded Marissa’s songs and sung her praises.
Her compositions receive TV and radio airplay in more than 30 countries on TV productions, commercials, and in countless live performances. Day and night, somewhere around the world, Marissa’s music is heard. Some of her lyric work can be heard on the title cut from Grammy nominee, Phil Kelly’s CD, “My Museum,” which was among the Top 10 jazz CD’s of 2007 in Brazil, and also made the Jazz Times Top 50 CD’s of 2007 list. JAZZIZ magazine has featured two of Marissa's lyrics on their compilation CD's. Her song "Black Is," the opening track of Lena Horne's latest Blue Note release, Seasons of a Life, has brought Marissa even wider recognition. “‘Black Is,‘ is a softly powerful affirmation.” - Christopher Loudon (JazzTimes.com)
Marissa not only writes music, but writes about it as well; her erudite reviews and interviews can be found on www.jazz.com. Of her writing, Ted Gioia, author of The History of Jazz, said, “Marissa Dodge is a remarkable writer and lyricist, who captures the spirit of the music and transforms it into words."
Add to her list of accomplishments poet and author; Marissa’s trio of poetry collections; Multiple Poemodality Disorder, The Power of Negative Thinking, and Never Tell An Indian How To Start A Fire, as well as her anthology of short stories, Dust Off The Neurons, are nearing release.
Still, one might wonder who the real Marissa Dodge is; is she a songwriter, a lyricist, a composer, a musician, a vocalist, a piano player, an improviser, a recording artist, a reviewer, an interviewer, a writer, an author, a poet? Yes!
Marissa’s long awaited solo project, Valentino’s Daughter, will encompass all of her elements, enlightening those who are unacquainted with the full spectrum of her work, and will absolutely answer the questions that Shirley Horn once asked her; “Did you write the words and music? Is that you playing piano? Is that you singing?” The answer to every question is a resounding, “Yes.”
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- How did you hear about the Jazz Network?
- I heard it in a song.
- Website:
- http://www.marissadodge.com
Poem of the moment...
Easter eggs with the scene inside
(if you’re too young to remember, you missed out).
And inside it sits Sister Marie,
the tyrannical nun that I took piano lessons from.
The nun who hated improvisation of any kind,
and thought that my free spirit needed breaking.
The nun and only who smacked my fingers with a ruler
when they lost their uncomfortable arch on the keys,
“The boat must go under the bridge!” she’d snap.
Pushing her rough-edged ruler under my tender palms to illustrate.
“Sit up straight! Lift your chin! You didn’t practice!
Bad habits need breaking!” Boy, you got that right.
One day when classical music was playing as I arrived
- after I washed my hands,
and after she asked if I’d washed my hands,
she asked who it was, I answered “Mozart,” on a lark.
She was mighty miffed that I got it right.
“I like to listen to jazz too.” I mumbled.
“Jazz?! That’s not music, that’s noise!” she barked.
But, the most absolute noise ever made was her voice;
loud as a Jake brake and sharp as a scythe,
the ugliest sound in the entire universe.
And many years later, here I am
looking inside this Easter egg
and there's twisted Sister Marie,
dark and tiny,
her voice gone,
her piano on fire,
and the Devil behind her
poised with a ruler.
(c) 2008 Marissa Dodge
Marissa Dodge's Blog
Emergency Dime
Posted on May 27th, 2008 at 1:30am —
2 Comments
(Add)
Ruth Hann Dodge - A Story, A Song
Posted on May 2nd, 2008 at 2:30am —
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SPOTLIGHTED ARTISTS
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Hey there Jaijai ~
It was a pleasure and an honor to be featured on The Jazz Network...the response was warm and generous and I look forward to many other connections over the course of time, again I just want to thank you....please keep up the great work you are doing with this most amazing of all art forms created in the U.S. Wherever I go people always connect with jazz thankfully and as I suspect will continue to in the many years ahead...Your site is a conduit for this connection to carry on ....
Peace and molto leggiero
~Jeff
"I think that what Jaijai Jackson has done with the Jazz Network shows how the eternal love for this music is passed down from generation to generation. The fire her father lit in her has burned brightly and has inspired her to pass this torch on to future generations. I'm very proud to be featured and I'm very happy that Jazz has a voice and spirit like Jaijai looking after it."
~ Ron Kearns
"What a wonderful place is Jazz Network for all of us musicians, we'll get the possibility to know new ones and meet always new musicians from all over the planet, thanks Jaijai for doing this incredible work and for the love you put in it and keep doing it forever..."
~ Giuseppe Continenza
“But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between us. Love one another, and let the love be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.”
This is how I have felt and continue to feel since I joined The Jazz Network on March 4th 2008.
If we look back at our Village Elders one sees how they worked together to achieve and be innovative, and thanks to Jaijai and thejazznetwork.ning we are able to continue on the same path as our Village Elders.
~ Robert Wayne
"Thanks to Jaijai for creating this wonderful site. She has drawn on her own extensive history in music to make a truly comfortable place for "unusual" kindred spirits to meet, share and motivate. It's been uplifting, comforting and facinating to meet fellow musicians from cultures and countries around the world."
~ Diane Hoffman
What a great place you have created, Jaijai. Thank you so much for your dedication and vision. We musicians benefit immensely, as it brings us closer together, allows for many of us to reconnect, or discover each other for the first time. I am still getting acquainted with the enormous benefits of having this independent place for communication between all of us - artists, fans, promoters, etc., and it is a real honor for me to be featured on the Jazz Network Main Page.
~Vana
Hi Jaijai,
Stopping by to show you some love and tell you just how much I appreciate all you've been doing here, not just for me but for this incredible community of jazz musicians. I see that The Jazz Network is growing in leaps and bounds daily and want you to know that I recognize the importance of what's going on here, musicians having a place to connect with each other, young musicians having a place to meet and be mentored by musicians who have been around the block. You've created a beautiful space here and it's obvious that folks are feeling very much at home. Thanks for sharing your time, your heart, your soul. This is a huge commitment and you've taken it on with such determination. I wish you and The Jazz Network continued success and support you in all you're doing.
~ Marcus
Hey there Jaijai ~
It was a pleasure and an honor to be featured on The Jazz Network...the response was warm and generous and I look forward to many other connections over the course of time, again I just want to thank you....please keep up the great work you are doing with this most amazing of all art forms created in the U.S. Wherever I go people always connect with jazz thankfully and as I suspect will continue to in the many years ahead...Your site is a conduit for this connection to carry on ....
Peace and molto leggiero
~Jeff
"I think that what Jaijai Jackson has done with the Jazz Network shows how the eternal love for this music is passed down from generation to generation. The fire her father lit in her has burned brightly and has inspired her to pass this torch on to future generations. I'm very proud to be featured and I'm very happy that Jazz has a voice and spirit like Jaijai looking after it."
~ Ron Kearns
"What a wonderful place is Jazz Network for all of us musicians, we'll get the possibility to know new ones and meet always new musicians from all over the planet, thanks Jaijai for doing this incredible work and for the love you put in it and keep doing it forever..."
~ Giuseppe Continenza
“But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between us. Love one another, and let the love be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.”
This is how I have felt and continue to feel since I joined The Jazz Network on March 4th 2008.
If we look back at our Village Elders one sees how they worked together to achieve and be innovative, and thanks to Jaijai and thejazznetwork.ning we are able to continue on the same path as our Village Elders.
~ Robert Wayne
"Thanks to Jaijai for creating this wonderful site. She has drawn on her own extensive history in music to make a truly comfortable place for "unusual" kindred spirits to meet, share and motivate. It's been uplifting, comforting and facinating to meet fellow musicians from cultures and countries around the world."
~ Diane Hoffman
What a great place you have created, Jaijai. Thank you so much for your dedication and vision. We musicians benefit immensely, as it brings us closer together, allows for many of us to reconnect, or discover each other for the first time. I am still getting acquainted with the enormous benefits of having this independent place for communication between all of us - artists, fans, promoters, etc., and it is a real honor for me to be featured on the Jazz Network Main Page.
~Vana
Hi Jaijai,
Stopping by to show you some love and tell you just how much I appreciate all you've been doing here, not just for me but for this incredible community of jazz musicians. I see that The Jazz Network is growing in leaps and bounds daily and want you to know that I recognize the importance of what's going on here, musicians having a place to connect with each other, young musicians having a place to meet and be mentored by musicians who have been around the block. You've created a beautiful space here and it's obvious that folks are feeling very much at home. Thanks for sharing your time, your heart, your soul. This is a huge commitment and you've taken it on with such determination. I wish you and The Jazz Network continued success and support you in all you're doing.
~ Marcus
RSS
The Legendary Bill Evans On Piano Jazz
Pianist Bill Evans was a giant of jazz piano and one of Marian McPartland's first guests on Piano Jazz in 1979. On this program, the usually quiet and reserved musical genius opens up about his approach and philosophy.
Legends Play 'Jazz in Our Time'
Last March, more than 30 lifelong jazz musicians were celebrated at the Kennedy Center for their contributions to a unique art form. JazzSet presents a recording of the concert companion to the awards ceremony, featuring Dave Brubeck, Nancy Wilson, and more.
New Orleans Park Has Ear For Jazz
Many national parks have myths, legends and tall tales. At the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, the true legends are the musicians. Drummer Benny Jones, leader of the Treme Brass Band, and park ranger Bruce Barnes tell the story of the music.
Theo Bleckmann Goes Back To Berlin Roots
From jazz concerts and cabaret acts to multimedia art installations, Theo Bleckmann has made a name for himself as a New York performer. Now, the vocalist and composer looks back to his native Germany.
Jimmy Witherspoon: Shouting the Blues
During a career more than five decades long, "Spoon" brought a strong dose of blues to many of the jazz world's finest bands. With his full, powerful baritone delivery, he was one of the best of the "blues shouters."
Upcoming Guests on Piano Jazz
Upcoming guests on the award-winning Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz.
Pain At The Pump Curbs Traveling Bands
Musicians longing to play live music spend a lot of time playing bars and basements for little more than gas money. But gas money isn't what it used to be, and taking an act on the road isn't happening as much as it used to. Musicians are having to re-think how they tour.
Uri Caine Trio: Live at the Village Vanguard
A progressive musical polymath famed for his abundant improvisational skills and mutated reinventions of classical repertoire, the pianist and composer kick-starts his acoustic jazz trio. Hear the band perform live from New York.
Patricia Barber: When Life Gives You Pop Songs
The Chicago-based vocalist has steadily been discovering smart jazz standards in the midst of decades-old pop hits. Record producer Nat Chediak picks five songs where Barber takes jazz vocals into the 21st Century.
Violinist Stephane Grappelli on Piano Jazz
In an archival show from 1990, Piano Jazz celebrates the centennial of Stephane Grappelli, one of the jazz world's greatest violinists. Grappelli first found fame in France with Django Reinhart's Quintette du Hot Club. He went on to an illustrious career playing with everyone from Oscar Peterson to Paul Simon to Yo-Yo Ma.
© 2008 Created by Jaijai Jackson aka "Woman of Jazz"
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Comment Wall (331 comments)
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Love your music, would love to do one of your songs.
You can say more in one paragraph than I can in a full page.
Hope you're feeling better.
Hugs and flowers,
Pepe
It has been a joy listening to your music.
Thanks,
Will
Just stopping by to say hello and listening to your splendid music .
I hope you are doing fine .
Have a great week,
All the best to you
your friend Alexis
II happened to be surfing a few minutes ago and just came across "My Room " ..
Great tune !! ..you really outta send Greta M ( and another NW singer friend of mine ,Trish Hatley ) a demo of your stuff. If they don't like your toonz, they don't like exploded chickens! :)
Y'all can laugh at us in the NW today -it's gonna be up close to 90 ..and I got the AC on for the first time this year!
cheers:
Phil K
Tooling around on here just now, came to your page again, am enjoying your clips and getting to know you, and I want to publicly thank you for the gorgeous reviews you wrote on www.jazz.com about a couple of the cuts from my first CD, Something STIll Cool: http://www.jazz.com/music/2008/6/10/elli-fordyce-dindi, on Dindi being the more recent. Personally, I can't even express how wonderful it was to open that email and read your word.
Love,
Elli
hmm, what will be left of your garden in august? due to the birds or the idealist?
working on a song about henry hudson.
need to finish it before monday.
hope all is well (and blooming) with you guys.
Hi Marissa how are you i see your page, very nice, i listen your music, wonderful!!!!!!
Marissa if you want push on the banner, it's a special event!!!!
Respect and always the best, your in music
Mario
We may be coming through in August (like the 6th or the 7th--unless we do a restaurant gig in Shreveport--then the routing changes). It would be wonderful to connect up and have a lunchtime visit. Maybe see what's blooming in your garden in August. (Texas gardens in August are truly symbols of hope and optimism).
Do you two have a cd?
lm
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