Donna M's Unlikely Journey to the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards
February 7, 2011 at 4:00 AM
If someone would have told me five years ago that I would (1) love jazz music (2) be interviewed by NPR's A Blog Supreme, (3) create an increasingly popular jazz blog and (4) attend the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards show in Los Angeles in 2011, I would have laughed heartily in disbelief for at least five minutes. :P
Here I am, though, about to leave mid-week to attend four days of GRAMMY events in Los Angeles. It's all quite amazing to me.
I grew up with the classic Soul and R&B sounds of the 70s. I was exposed to a heavy dose of doo-wop and Motown by both my mother and maternal grandfather. The first album that was purchased for me (after I begged and pleaded for it) as a young child was "ABC" by the Jackson 5. The first 12 inch single that I bought for myself with saved lunch money was Parliament's "Flash Light".
An interest in opera was stirred because of the passion that my 7th grade music teacher, Mr. Nelson, had for it. I had to find out what he was so excited about every week in class.
Charlie "Byrd" ParkerHowever, an appreciation of jazz music eluded me. I would hear it on occasion. As I got older, I heard about artists like Thelonious Monk, Dinah Washington, and Charlie "Byrd" Parker from a few of the men I dated. Still, I could take it or leave it.
As some of you know, a person near and dear to my heart died suddenly in late 2006. I was totally caught off-guard. He was my best-friend. His calmness fascinated me; no matter how tempestuous my personality was, he was always Mr. Serene.
The void that was left in my life by his death paralyzed my mind and my heart was hurt. It was the first time that I took in just how big the world was and I felt alone. The grief overwhelmed me. I couldn't will it away. Nothing worked.
One day out of desperation, I decided to find some jazz music online. Why jazz? My best friend really enjoyed jazz and bossa nova when he was alive. He would try to get me to listen. Needless to say, he was rarely successful. The day that I decided to finally listen to it, I rationalized that maybe it would assuage the despair that I felt.
I started listening to Pandora. It didn't happen overnight but as I heard it on a daily basis, the debilitating grief slowly lifted.
My first blog was on MySpace. I left that website around the beginning of 2008. This coming month of May will mark my third year on Twitter.
After a period of incubation and hesitation, I lauched ElementsOfJazz.com in March of 2010. As I mentioned earlier, an interview with NPR's A Blog Supreme was published. It happened during the first week that my blog went live. What a blessing that was!
Esperanza SpaldingNow - fast forward to November of 2010 when I was asked to join the group of Community bloggers for GRAMMY.com. Another life-changing moment that lead the way to the upcoming weekend of music that will culminate with the GRAMMY Awards ceremony on February 13th, 2011.
I'm going to see many amazing artists while I'm in Los Angeles this week: Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, Stevie Wonder, Bobby McFerrin, Seal, Barbra Streisand, Esperanza Spalding, Tony Bennett, Nikki Yanofsky, Vijay Iyer, Kirk Whalum, Mavis Staples, Roy Haynes, Julie Andrews - the list goes on forever.
My hope is to bring some sense of the excitment and special GRAMMY moments to you - whether you follow me on the website, Twitter or Facebook.
I'm still in touch with a lot of the people that I befriended on MySpace long ago. My Twitter family grows day by day. And I have recently expanded to Facebook. The EoJ Facebook page has been warmly received.
Thank you! Thank you for sticking with me on this unlikely path that I find myself on. May each and every one of you be blessed in 2011 like never before!
Donna
Reader Comments (10)
Donna,
Most of us feel rewarded when we see any kind of music-related talent being recognized and appreciated. Like it or not, your success brings us this kind of inspiration, even though it is really your success not ours. I am sure most people in the twitter jazz community feel the same way.
You are certainly up for an extraordinary experience seeing all those great musicians live - that will drag you even deeper into jazz. Very good. The right person in the right place, that is what you are. Wish you a lot of joy and continued success!
I believe that things happen for a reason and this was less no the case. I remember when you told me of your friend and what you were doing. You have definitely been an inspiration to me(in a couple of ways, actually) & the accolades you're receiving are more that well deserved, dear. :) Also, that is an awesome lineup to be privy to! I continue to wish you well & support in your endevors. You truly are an amazing soul.
You deserve it, Donna! We're lucky you found jazz. Your tireless support is good for musicians and fans alike.
Have a great time and I look forward to following along online.
Hope you found a fabulous outfit for the banquet! ;)
Jason
OneWorkingMusician.com
Warm Greetings to Zoltan, Rodney and Jason!!!
Z Thank you - you have always been supportive and full of insight. I also believe (and hope) that this upcoming experience will drag me "even deeper" into the jazz world. I feel that it is everyone's collective success. I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing right now if it weren't for artists and people in the business such as yourself and Jason. :)
Rodney If it isn't Mister "I'll make an online appearance once in a while"! (teasing you, of course!) Thank you for being with me almost since the beginning of my Twitter "life". Your presence is appreciated (now, if I could just get you to visit online more often....). :D
Jason Even though it's been almost five years since PLG passed away, I still grieve his death. But, it stopped paining my heart long ago and every time I hear jazz or get to be around musicians like you and @RedRaspus, I feel complete. Thank you for being receptive to having a tyro in your midst. :)
♥♥♥
^DM
So pleased that you have found jazz. I discovered jazz around about when I was 15 - a long long time ago... It's been my companion ever since. If I feel down, going to a gig or listening to a few tracks never fails to lift me.
Congrats on your success - may one day my blog Bebop Spoken Here emulate you (dream on Lance).
Beautiful story.
Donna...
It's done! I just wanted to wish you warm, heartfelt congrats! I knew you'd be the BEST for the job and represent us jazz lovers worldwide, well!
Best!
Doug
Hi Lance! My apologies for not responding sooner. I heard some jazz when I was a teenager but I could take it or leave it.
It is now an integral part of my life and I'm thankful for that. Just like you, if I go to a gig or listen to a few tracks when I'm down, I'm always uplifted. :)
Thank you so much for your congratulations - I appreciate it! Dreams are meant to come true. Whatever is in your heart, it will manifest for you in all areas of your life. :)
Take care!
^DM
Doug!
Yes ~ It's done! Thank you for all of your encouragement over the past few months. I wouldn't be where I'm at right now without that. {{hugs}}
One Love,
DM
Having been on Twitter 2 years or so, and you being one of the first "jazz" related folks I met, I've watched your evolving and blossoming with fascination , awe and excitement. SO WELL DONE, Donna, and thank you again and again for all your support, informative writing and your way of pulling your family together and expanding it so organically!
Move to come ...
Love,
Elli
Elli!
Thank you so much, Lady E! I had no idea that in the 2 years that I've known you all of this would happen for me.
You're welcome for the support - I'll do more in the future with more focus and purpose.
Thank you again for your gracious words!
One Love, DM