tag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:/blogs/jeri-brown-s-blog?p=4JERI'S BLOG2021-07-06T18:17:14-03:00Jeri Brownfalsetag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/66804962021-07-06T18:17:14-03:002024-01-10T14:14:36-04:00Winfield<p>winfield </p><p>A metal plate in his head,</p><p>he had survived deployment to the battle zone.</p><p>His purple heart meant that he had suffered head injury </p><p>defending his country: a war hero of WWI,</p><p>his mind crowded with dreams of recriminating guilt,</p><p>visions, nightmares, clanging medals for bravery, </p><p>memories of dead bodies and body parts,</p><p>he returned home from a war that he did not fully understand.</p><p>No one really knew the bulk of what went through his mind. </p><p>Once a brave warrior who had faced and overcome insurmountable danger,</p><p>he searched for a scapegoat with the help of Jack Daniel’s. </p><p>What is a disabled warrior? </p><p>Do they stroll and run on false legs, riding bicycles, </p><p>playing cricket and football on crutches, chopping wood and playing golf with one arm? </p><p>Do they train to become carpenters, engineers, bookkeepers and chauffeurs? </p><p>A bionic man, Winfield survived gangrene and infection, popular among severely injured soldiers.</p><p>With no experience of trench warfare, </p><p>he was shot in the head </p><p>when he popped up over a trench one time too many </p><p>to face a hail of machine-gun bullets. </p><p>The jagged fragment of a bursting shell tore open his scalp </p><p>leaving him the victim, </p><p>a permanent object of repulsion to others, </p><p>and a grievous burden to himself. </p><p>Despondency, melancholia, dark suicidal thoughts, </p><p>and psychological effects left him </p><p>a stranger in a living hell. </p><p>A stranger to himself, he was a maladjusted person,</p><p>his hidden history of the First World War. </p><p>He was never officially celebrated as a wounded hero. </p><p>He kept the medal in his dresser drawer,</p><p>his room spotlessly clean unless he was stinking drunk – when he usually wet his bed. </p><p>Clean mattresses were replaced several times. </p><p>He’d get up early, eat a breakfast and take his place </p><p>—the front porch rocking chair </p><p>from late spring, summer to early fall. </p><p>Kids in the neighborhood laughed at him as they all had seen him staggering home </p><p>or lying drunk in an alley needing rescue from friends, passersby and Big Daddy. </p><p>We all loved him. </p><p>Our hero.</p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/66804752021-07-06T17:55:48-03:002024-01-07T14:05:50-04:00Aging<p>Certain bodies give off a distinctive odor, </p><p>a quick puff or slight gust, </p><p>a special inauspicious whiff. </p><p>The bleak ammonia aroma waft of death, </p><p>part rot, </p><p>part mildew, </p><p>part ferment, </p><p>spew-puke odor from an aura, </p><p>the stench from day-old Atlantic fished herring heads, </p><p>and uncooked-cooking chicken decaying, </p><p>stuffed and captive in a hot garbage bin. </p><p>Aged still from distinctive old-person body chemistry, </p><p>babies notice well that certain aged smell, </p><p>a ripened hell, they can tell. </p><p>Shying away they swiggle, wiggle and sway, </p><p>avoiding extinction. </p><p>Frail, old, short, a young Einstein, hair similarly worn,[a young Geo. Wash. Carver] </p><p>his permanent aura walked softly, </p><p>gliding with mystical presence, </p><p>casting subtle-strong deathly corpse, </p><p>buried and uninvited scents, </p><p>each gesture, every word a new discovery, </p><p>from inside a deep cavern with womb to tomb signals, </p><p>of life-cycle’s ominous doom and finality. </p><p>Crazed and dazed his lively maddening rage-raved rants, </p><p>displayed parts of his failing frame: </p><p>fragile skeletal bone of grey, </p><p>with crusty lack-lustered hue, </p><p>deep sunken watery eyes, </p><p>glazed-over and greyish-blue. </p><p>Blue veins thick protruded thin-dry, </p><p>through cracked scaly ashy raisin crinkled shell confinement. </p><p>A shepherd boy at boarding school in Palestine, </p><p>he’d fought in Israel’s War of Independence until capture. </p><p>After Lebanon he worked in Los Angeles— </p><p>Western Union bicycle messenger, taxi driver, </p><p>teacher, foreign press photographer. </p><p>An irrepressible kibitzer, </p><p>comfortable interacting in show biz, </p><p>he covered film and television. </p><p>He spoke of his passion for Gustav Mahler, </p><p>proud He was a member of the tribe. </p><p>Proud to share my musicality, </p><p>quench his curiosity, </p><p>peak his interest, </p><p>“ I’m a double threat.” </p><p>His face blossomed, summoning a flood </p><p>of contrasting vocal textures, </p><p>cultural hues of classical and jazz. </p><p>Unearthed, I burst, Hush, baby, don’t cry… Motherless Child, </p><p>his unbridled pleasure formed my goose bumps, </p><p>fueled our kindred spiritual connection. </p><p>His aura spoke a lot like grandpa, </p><p>gingerly on this 83rd birthday. </p><p>Weighted stale breath, </p><p>shallow and gradually disappearing, </p><p>a permanent odorous residue of sour limburger stink, </p><p>spoiled yellow colored milk stench, </p><p>aged cream gone bad, </p><p>fowl and curdled now, </p><p>his instruction, direct in a caring sort of way, </p><p>guided my launch into the vastness. </p><p>/// </p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/66804742021-07-06T17:48:53-03:002021-07-06T17:48:53-03:00Dustbuster<p>Dust devil </p>
<p>by Jeri Brown </p>
<p>Tale spinner, </p>
<p>intent to ensnare </p>
<p>my fluff, humoring, </p>
<p>agitating and vexing me. </p>
<p>You get to me, visible, </p>
<p>without relief. </p>
<p>Common, maddened attraction, </p>
<p>I abhor your invasion to my senses </p>
<p>as you unload powdery earth </p>
<p>sweeping tattered remnants wiping. </p>
<p>You are still there hiding. </p>
<p>Scram! </p>
<p>Hurled and thrown down stairs, </p>
<p>tucked in corners in sly cryptic places, </p>
<p>languished in door-way crevices of cunning sinister scheme, </p>
<p>I scoff as your poorly concealed presence unfolds each day, </p>
<p>frying my brain. </p>
<p>Wandering vagrant, </p>
<p>wreaking havoc through recurring sequences, </p>
<p>your woven fuzzy image cycles morality </p>
<p>of stunning lasting-stamina, </p>
<p>offending and condescending. </p>
<p>Camouflaged, </p>
<p>you boldly prance through my abode at will, </p>
<p>an invader leaving your trail of disgust-dust, </p>
<p>making your unwelcomed presence in unforeseen places, </p>
<p>uninvited. </p>
<p>Have you no voice? </p>
<p>If only you could utter your disdain, </p>
<p>your scorn. </p>
<p>Dust bunnies, </p>
<p>my foot! </p>
<p>Cowardly and cunningly, </p>
<p>you appear when least expected </p>
<p>from gusty skyward wind bursts of cross and upward flows, </p>
<p>to increase my instinctive sense of guilt; </p>
<p>poor housekeeping. </p>
<p>Dishes rattle as I spot you reposed in unforeseen places, </p>
<p>affronting my awareness. </p>
<p>“I just swept there.” </p>
<p>Deft, jeering silent taunts of stunning, coy, corroded caresses, </p>
<p>covert furry physics particles that pester your presence, </p>
<p>with be-devilled heightened enkindle </p>
<p>to jar my teetering flask as it spews forth, </p>
<p>then abruptly shatters. </p>
<p>Stomped, ripped, plugged in and turned on, </p>
<p>alas, I hoover. </p>
<p>Farewell! </p>
<p>Eureka! </p>
<p>Gone. </p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/64585372020-10-18T16:21:04-03:002024-01-07T14:15:15-04:00Human Touch Track Release<p>Memorable Selections for Our Times from Jeri Brown.</p>5:45Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/61848422020-01-27T19:33:23-04:002024-01-07T14:07:54-04:00Nightwind Elder <p>nightwind elder </p><p>Confused in the night, his big-boned face, large flat nose, large bone-chilling hands, hairy muscular thighs, thickset flattened nose and huge lips descended without consent. He towered over my 5 foot 6-inches on the cold-dank floor slightly bruised from switchblade pressed against my throat. Bent with muted cries and black rubber goulashes removed, he tossed my charcoal grey wool coat, black tights and white undies. I crouched to his bestiality as he entered pulling my shocked swollen face to the cold cement basement floor. </p><p>Stale, fermented, damp and imposed, the warm yet desolate area was interposed with intoxicating odors of rusty pipes’ toxic grime and sewer mold. Stained from the umbrage of piss-mist residue, my gore-stained face thirsted for a desperate waft of gentle air as I obeyed the loyal father figure in an eerie quiet, resilient with all my might as he stole.</p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/61848022020-01-27T19:26:20-04:002024-01-07T14:11:50-04:00Jenny’s Dust devil <p>Jenny’s Dust devil </p><p>A tale spinner, intent to ensnare my fluff, humoring me, agitating and vexing me, it finally got to Jenny, visibly, </p><p>without relief. It was a common, maddened attraction that riled me. It felt like an invasion to her senses when unloaded onto her floors. She’d wipe the powdery earth after sweeping with a tattered remnant. Yet it was still there, hiding. </p><p>Scram! </p><p>Hurled and thrown down stairs, tucked in corners in sly cryptic places, languished in door-way crevices of cunning sinister scheme, she scoffed as the poorly concealed presence unfolded each day. It fried her brain, wreaking havoc through recurring sequences, with woven fuzzy image cycles of stunning lasting-stamina, offending and condescending. Jenny simply couldn’t keep up the clean-up pace. </p><p>Camouflaged, it boldly pranced through her abode at will like an invader leaving a trail of disgust-dust, making unwelcomed presence in unforeseen places, uninvited. If only Jenny could utter her disdain, her scorn. </p><p>Dust bunnies, my foot! Have you no voice? </p><p>Cowardly and cunningly, it appear when least expected from gusty skyward wind bursts of cross and upward flows, </p><p>to increase Jenny’s instinctive sense of guilt from poor housekeeping. Dishes rattled as she spotted its furry symbol, reposed in unforeseen places, affronting her awareness. </p><p>I just swept there. </p><p>Deft, jeering silent taunts of stunning, coy, corroded caresses, covert furry physics particles that pestered its presence, </p><p>with be-devilled heightened enkindle jarred Jenny’s teetering flask as it spews forth, then abruptly shattered. Scattered. </p><p>Stomped, ripped, plugged in and turned on, alas, Jenny hoovered with her Eureka.</p><p>Jeri Brown, 2018</p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/61557002020-01-23T18:33:35-04:002024-01-07T14:13:40-04:00Big Daddy Virgil <p>Big Daddy Virgil </p><p>Carter never met his Dad. Grandma Callie taught Big Daddy all about math, spelling, geography and science. </p><p>Looks </p><p>He was smart beyond his years. <br>Head smart and handsome. <br>Like a tall glass of water. <br>That Clark Gable, <br>no, <br>no, <br>no, <br>Langston Hughes, <br>Johnny Hartman kind of handsome. </p><p>6 ft. 4 inches tall, <br>light skinned with shiny straight hair, <br>he used a pomade to help it lay flat. <br>Mulatto was how some would describe him. <br>That’s what they called a person of mixed white and black ancestry, especially a person with one white and one black parent. </p><p>A private man, <br>with a pipe, </p><p>He took great care of her when he was able. </p><p>Wherever he lived she had a home. <br>A two-story brick house was always his choice. </p><p>Big Daddy brought Callie with him after he settled in St. Louis. </p><p>I thought that was neat. </p><p>Tinkering </p><p>Big Daddy was always tinkering either with the coal furnace in the basement or in some dedicated space wherever we lived <br>with his electronics books and his television and radio tubes. <br>He was always repairing something. <br>He could be working with his soldering iron and lathe in the basement putting metal things back together. <br>The most brilliant man I’d ever know. </p><p>His Money </p><p>He knew all about money. <br>How to earn it, <br>grow it and keep it. <br> <br>Daddy was tight with his money, too. <br>Made him seem even mean to most. </p><p>But I respected that about my Big Daddy. <br>Even when Jerry and Sweetie Pie asked… <br>no, begged for enough to get a truck. <br>Yeah, he had it. <br>Eventually, Daddy loaned them the money for that red truck. <br>I’m not sure if they ever got it back to him, though. <br>He’d only bring it up at the worst of times. <br>Like if they needed another loan. <br>That’s when they really needed Mama’s help. <br>Daddy was stern, tight and generous. </p><p>Work Experience </p><p>Illinois Central Railroad until he got the gold watch. <br>Respected by the union, too. <br>A porter, and <br>first black union representative, <br>it must of been something to see him at a union meeting. <br>Not just his looks, <br>but his tone. </p><p>An articulated and educated man was the best way to describe him. <br>He knew what he wanted. <br>And he knew how to plan, <br>save, <br>get it <br>and keep it, too. </p><p>Love Story </p><p>Their love was deeply romantic. <br>Called her M. A.…. get it! <br>She didn’t have book smarts. <br>She couldn’t really read. <br> <br>She had qualities that softened Daddy’s stern ways right quick. <br>He didn’t have a chance if she was not happy with him. <br>“Carter this.” “Carter that.” “You know better, Carter!” </p><p>Big Daddy loved Emma.</p><p>Jeri Brown, 2016</p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/61556772020-01-23T18:32:49-04:002020-01-27T14:29:48-04:00Gram Callie <p>Gram Callie </p>
<p>Past <br>School teacher from Mississippi. The south. Education system in her day meant she could practically teach anything for a school ager to a young man or woman. Grandma Callie taught till she married and set out to raise Big Daddy in Aberdeen. </p>
<p>Hair </p>
<p>It was a big job maintaining Grandma Callie’s <br>long black, <br>silky hair. <br>Almost to her waist, </p>
<p>I used to comb, <br>brush and scrape her scalp. <br>That hard caked-on dandruff left noticeable <br>signature flakes on any top that she wore. <br>Light or dark colors didn’t matter. </p>
<p>Smell </p>
<p>She smelled different, <br>Kind of like a wilting rose. <br>Sweet but a little tainted. </p>
<p>Skin </p>
<p>Hers was the softest light skin, <br>almost too soft, you know. <br>Her skin so soft but dry as ash. </p>
<p>She could’ve passed for white. </p>
<p>Big Daddy certainly could. </p>
<p>Features </p>
<p>Big bosomed, <br>big boned woman, <br>but not too fat. </p>
<p>Style </p>
<p>Grandma Callie was stern and direct. <br>Always needing somebody to wait on her <br>meals, <br>bath time, <br>changing her, <br>lotioning her down upon request. <br> <br>“Hand me my drawers from the dresser drawer, Sweetie.” </p>
<p>Attire </p>
<p>Soft silky slips, <br>sleeping gowns, <br>huge bras, <br>panties of white, ivory and pale pink, <br>she was a very feminine woman.</p>
<p>Jeri Brown, 2016</p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/61556302020-01-23T18:32:05-04:002024-01-07T14:14:25-04:00Big Mama Emma <p>Big Mama Emma </p><p>Past </p><p>She’d been born in Mississippi at a time when her twelve sisters and brothers were younger spending most of the time helping to care for them with her mother while her charcoal black, Cherokee Indian dad ran his own smoke meat house and supply store. </p><p>House mom </p><p>She was stern with us, <br>a wiz in the kitchen, <br>with a needle and thread, <br>ironing, <br>anything domestic, <br>a master of so much, <br>she didn’t really teach us girls how to do the cooking. <br>Her meals could never be topped or duplicated. <br>Measuring tools were in the cusp of her hands, <br>kneading the dough. <br>Molding baked goods was within the strength of her wrist. <br>She was miles ahead of us <br>so why bother! </p><p>When she wasn’t doing that she’d be sitting at the kitchen table reading scripture. <br>She’d learned some words in her life and used that to plow through miraculously. <br>We all taught her a little. <br>And she wasn’t embarrassed. <br>Not one bit. </p><p>Sundays she’d wear beautiful hats, <br>jewelry, <br>furs around her neck, <br>and lovely dresses and shoes. <br>She knew just how to whip herself into shape… <br>into an elegant woman who would sit at the front of the church in the pew next to the pastor’s wife.</p><p>Jeri Brown, 2016</p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/61556102020-01-23T18:28:58-04:002020-01-27T14:30:28-04:00Enzee in the Glass Cage <p> </p>
<p>Enzee in the Glass Cage </p>
<p>And on that July morning this is how it all started. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>One morning Enzee woke up to find himself captive in a glass cage. How he got there we will never know. He was not tortured or sentenced for committing a crime that he could remember. He was simply alone, or so he thought. He was not completely uncomfortable either. He had food, a bed, a sink, lean water and a basin. </p>
<p>Unable to do anything about his circumstances, Enzee was forced to see all that was around him…all that surrounded him for the first time ever. </p>
<p>And in that moment, the cage which had enslaved him, suddenly engaged him. It became his threshold, his port hole, his protector, and his maternal sheltress. </p>
<p>What Enzee was forced to see within the light of day would change him forever. Within his sight, in the light of day were colors and stains and strains of natural light. He saw leaves in rich </p>
<p>shades of green that seemed suddenly vulnerable, and innocent in the light …to the sunlight with delicate, rippling streams of water, and branches trembled from the morning breeze. </p>
<p>So many sprays of colors presented a wash within Enzee’s eye line. A blue sky with spots of white and not so white cirrus clouds in wisps of soft, </p>
<p>feathery colors appeared so close to him now. It was as if he could touch everything with his eyes. It was as if the cage forced him to take the time to see and to witness his environment. When a flock of </p>
<p>brown and orange robins, red cardinals, and blue jays passed by, Enzee immediately ducked his head </p>
<p>for shelter. He was certain they were about to collide on him in his glass cage. So vivid were the colors. How majestic and perfect they appeared as they flew high in the sky. It was a marvel that he had never </p>
<p>seen before. Or had he just never noticed? His reaction was so intense that he fell back on his side. He hid his face. He needed a break from the wonder. </p>
<p>Looking inward in his glass cage on that sunny day, after finally witnessing his environment, the splendor of nature changed Enzee in many ways. For when he tried to turn away from his gaze, he was forced to look at himself. And in that moment the cage, which had provided Enzee with a vision </p>
<p>into his natural surroundings suddenly revealed to him his own identity. </p>
<p>For the first time in a long while Enzee saw himself in that cage. He noticed his long arms, hairy chest, matted hair, torn shirt, scratches on his index finger, scar on his right elbow, and his dull look. He felt his </p>
<p>parched mouth. He heard the cracking of his knuckles. </p>
<p> Upon this discovery of reflection, Enzee made a slight yet deep sigh of relief. He could finally see who he really was. Like a fish in a fishbowl Enzee was exposed to the light, to the world around him. Instead of viewing life as an invader, often attacking and defending and being utterly lonely, Enzee felt vulnerable as he looked from his glass cage. And he felt an uncontrollable urge to cry. </p>
<p>Tears of happiness flowed from his eyes, as he rejoiced in awe of the feeling. A new feeling on a very new day. Now Enzee was ready to truly see his community. A world around him was full of wonder with many special features and many interesting creatures and elements. Everything seemed free to have space. Everything that he saw seemed to be content in their places. Things appeared to move through time and place freely serving and supporting one another. Suddenly two small deer strutted by. A loon flew over, followed by a fuschia colored hummingbird. Just before him on the glass of his cage was a daddylonglegs. It seemed to take an afternoon stretch on the glass near his chin. </p>
<p>Enzee was overwhelmed. That was his cue. These creatures of nature never had significance in the past. Enzee remembered how he usually smashed, squashed, swatted and moved past nature most of his life as if it had no valuable purpose. Now, in his glass cage he was forced to see.In the light </p>
<p>of day he had spent hours noticing the movement, the features of living creatures, of plants. He smiled. </p>
<p>And now he was taking a cue from an arachnid to take a nap. How curious Enzee thought. And how appropriate. “Why not!” he suddenly found himself uttering. </p>
<p>Enzee smiled and felt his whiskers move toward his cheeks for the first time ever. The smile was new to him. He embraced it and his new sights and insights, feeling somehow refreshed and connected to the land. There Enzee felt inner peace. He drifted into a deep sleep. He slept for hours, uninterrupted in his glass cage. It was there that he had the single most restful sleep of his life. A restoration swept over him. </p>
<p>When he woke the cage was gone. He was no longer observing in a vacuum. He was actually back. Now he was one in his environment. Enzee felt the breeze as he touched his skin. He smelled the lilac flowers, and the waft of heather from the plants just to the left of him. He felt the heat of the sun </p>
<p>against his body as he attempted to stand on his big rock. He was home again. This time, no longer lonely, </p>
<p>Enzee felt his sense of community. He welcomed nature around him. He smiled more. And so, he continued his life as peacefully as he could have ever imagined in a world that he now belonged in. And Enzee was never lonely again. </p>
<p>Think of it – a peaceful place for all creatures big and small.</p>
<p>Jeri Brown, 2017</p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/61544232020-01-23T14:44:36-04:002024-01-07T14:16:28-04:00Fiefer <p>[NEW SHORTS JAN 23, 2020]</p><p>Fiefer </p><p>by Jeri Brown</p><p> </p><p>In the mountainous part of Giuseppe, </p><p>a region of Austrandic alps, </p><p>a world with extreme hot and cold, </p><p>where hunting is keen, </p><p>lived a green-minotaur interloper named Fiefer. </p><p>Naked on all fours, wandering through a Germanic forest in 1709, </p><p>raised by wolves, Fiefer ate with hooves and couldn’t speak. </p><p>Surviving the harsh three feet of snow that covered the bitter cold forest, </p><p>Prancing through backyards Fiefer became local lore with sightings, </p><p>footage from wildlife cameras set up in the area. </p><p>A local celebrity, Fiefer attracted two groups: </p><p>those rooting for its survival, </p><p>and those determined to shoot and eat it. </p><p>Eventually captured, adopted by a naturalist family, </p><p>Baby bull Fiefer was treated like a pet. </p><p>Living a relatively normal life, </p><p>kept in a large cage for safety, </p><p>farmers thought they had trained Fiefer successfully, </p><p>and gave him privileges at the homestead without leash, </p><p>until four months of age when his future changed overnight. </p><p>Cows were rounded up and sold after the farm owner died. </p><p>To preserve its own safety Fiefer took a chance, trotting into the brush, </p><p>boldly racing away, fleeing into the nearby forest. </p><p>Into the woods, he was forced to leave his home, </p><p>presumably never to be seen by human owners again. </p><p>Fiefer’s farm family searched high and low. </p><p>No matter how hard they looked Fiefer continued to evade them. </p><p>No human was fast enough to catch him. </p><p>Years passed and there was still no sign. </p><p>Each year a local virgin girl would disappear. </p><p>Man-like figure at a whim revealed Fiefer’s transformation, </p><p>sexual compulsive animalism as he grew older, </p><p>luring innocent females into its lair, </p><p>his healthy appetite for the delicacy, </p><p>devouring most. </p><p>With a pack of wild deer, Fiefer, survived </p><p>—eating, sleeping and running together, </p><p>making a family all its own in the forest, </p><p>clearly knowing it would need human attention, </p><p>to mature into a happy minotaur. </p><p>One local woman, Hildajan, started to bring food, </p><p>water, fresh bedding to Fiefer. </p><p>She spent eight months nurturing it in the woods, </p><p>continuing to do the right thing, </p><p>to do what she felt in her heart. </p><p>Hildajan continued to help-out her new bovine friend, </p><p>earning his trust, rarely separating, </p><p>knowing challenges of leaving the woods, </p><p>Their new friendship astounded everyone. </p><p>Fiefer truly loved her and spared her life. </p><p>After eight years Jeremiah was born. </p><p>Surprised at first that they could create a calf-human, </p><p>Hildajan took care to nurture her new little calf, </p><p>a bit hairy with odd-shaped hands and stubby mane, </p><p>oddly resembling a human baby, </p><p>Something wasn’t quite right with Fiefer. </p><p>One day, he passed out, dead. </p><p>after stirring in circles on the kitchen floor, </p><p>Frantic Hildajan knew nothing would make up for her loss. </p><p>She would always have her beloved in her heart.</p><p>Jeri Brown, 2019</p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/61544212020-01-23T14:43:02-04:002020-01-27T14:31:11-04:00Zola and the Sirens <p>Zola and the Sirens : Jan 23, 2020</p>
<p>by Jeri Brown </p>
<p>In a timeless place on the small Zina island up north lay Zola, </p>
<p>a large lake near Nova Scotia coastal shore, </p>
<p>three siren sisters took the form of mermaids, </p>
<p>beautiful humans above the waist, </p>
<p>fish below with human head and arm. </p>
<p>Surrounded by an elongated sheet of shallow water a mile long, </p>
<p>the wide island gently curved a dune of fine white sand. </p>
<p>During the season smooth sand lilies between the bay and the lake. </p>
<p>Strange bulbs buried in the sand sent up thick green leaves, </p>
<p>white flowers resembling a glacier blossoming at early night fall on </p>
<p>calm seas. </p>
<p>Sea-witch Mereminum, cold hearted femme fatale motivated by lust, </p>
<p>earthly pleasure and vain pursuits, touched hearts in melodiously sweet songs, </p>
<p>lured enchanted ignorant sailors, sea-travelers, </p>
<p>lulled asleep with her harmony and pleasing blandishment, </p>
<p>beguiled, devoured by her. </p>
<p>An easily angered immortal gorgon, </p>
<p>long strands of hair of venomous snakes appeared. </p>
<p>When love relationship soured, killing her shepherd lover, </p>
<p>ashamed and insane, Mere jumped into the ocean, </p>
<p>took the form of a fish resorting to evil, violent ways. </p>
<p>Thessa and Water, equally beautiful water spirited priestesses of the night, </p>
<p>brought redemption, wealth and good fortune to those favored through music, </p>
<p>Exotic sweet peaceful powerful melodies and rhythms </p>
<p>surrounded them of African and European instruments </p>
<p>as they straddled both land and water giving serenity to ignorant sailors. </p>
<p>Instead of drowning in their tears and the open-sea, </p>
<p>grief-stricken after the death of their King Enzee, </p>
<p>under watchful eyes on mariners across the seven seas they allowed safe passage, </p>
<p>only rarely did they transform into raging gorgons to cast their raft, </p>
<p>turning some to stone. </p>
<p>The stern reaches its maximum height, </p>
<p>as it strikes the broad breast of a small fisherman’s paddle boat, </p>
<p>lifting up into the air and dropping down again in one thump. </p>
<p>Tiny ripples speed over the moonlit sea and breathe with relief, </p>
<p>as the men reach the shore at last. </p>
<p>Sailors do not notice the effect the wash has had for some time </p>
<p>The noise of their engine drowns frantic calls of help </p>
<p>from the small boat that floats near them. </p>
<p>Once the men set their anchor against the sand they stand knee deep, </p>
<p>scowling down into transparent waters as shoals of fish flick around their feet.</p>
<p>Jeri Brown, 2019</p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/32301762014-10-13T15:35:24-03:002024-01-07T14:14:53-04:00Some artist profile material of Jeri<p>>Here are you tube links to a few PHILOSOPHICAL (Artist profile) VIDEOS ON VOCAL JAZZ I have done for Jongleur Productions:<br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAJrIUXXjU4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAJrIUXXjU4</a><br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi6gwEHaOrk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi6gwEHaOrk</a><br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://youtubemp3.club/download/lagu_jeri_brown_live_in_montreal_jazz_is/">http://youtubemp3.club/download/lagu_jeri_brown_live_in_montreal_jazz_is/</a><br> </p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/32301752014-10-13T15:34:21-03:002014-10-13T15:34:21-03:00Some vocal improvisation of Jeri>Here are you tube links to a few VOCAL IMPROVISATION VIDEOS I have done for Jongleur Productions:<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Irs7uCthk0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Irs7uCthk0</a><br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoXU1dqRhLE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoXU1dqRhLE</a><br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2bZihQdOF0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2bZihQdOF0</a><br><em>Sun Song</em> with Leon Thomas: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlqsmPV5GJY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlqsmPV5GJY</a><br><a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550876-Come-Come-And-Play-With-Me.htm">Come, Come And Play With Me</a> | <a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550877-Wandering-Love.htm">Wandering Love</a> | | <a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550879-Fresh-Start.htm">Fresh Start</a> | <a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550880-The-Moment-I-Look-At-You.htm">The Moment I Look At You</a> | <a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550881-Bohemia-After-Dark.htm">Bohemia After Dark</a> | <a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550882-Moonray.htm">Moonray</a><br>http://youtubemp3.club/download/lagu_jeri_brown_live_in_montreal_jazz_is/<br> Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/32301742014-10-13T15:33:31-03:002014-10-13T15:33:31-03:00A little gospel for Nov. 2014 from Jeri>Here are you tube links to a few VOCAL IMPROVISATION ON GOSPEL JAZZ I have done for Jongleur Productions:<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYzkXgVQmkM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYzkXgVQmkM</a><br> <a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550886-Shall-We-Gather-At-The-River.htm">Shall We Gather At The River</a> <br> Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/32301732014-10-13T15:32:39-03:002014-10-13T15:32:39-03:00Some vocal jazz original videos of Jeri>Here are you tube links to a few VOCAL JAZZ ORIGINAL VIDEOS I have done for Jongleur Productions:<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcKpt_YSLXg">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcKpt_YSLXg</a><br><a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550884-Vision-Is-The-Key.htm">http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550884-Vision-Is-The-Key.htm</a><br><a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550876-Come-Come-And-Play-With-Me.htm">Come, Come And Play With Me</a> | <a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550877-Wandering-Love.htm">Wandering Love</a> | <a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550879-Fresh-Start.htm">Fresh Start</a> | <a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550880-The-Moment-I-Look-At-You.htm">The Moment I Look At You</a> | <a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550884-Vision-Is-The-Key.htm">Vision Is The Key</a> | <a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550885-Orange-Sky.htm">Orange Sky</a> | <a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550886-Shall-We-Gather-At-The-River.htm">Shall We Gather At The River</a> | <a href="http://www.musicsense.org/463793video6550887-Fresh-Start-Reprise-.htm">Fresh Start (Reprise)</a><br> Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/32301102014-10-13T15:31:42-03:002024-01-07T14:16:57-04:00Some of Jeri's vocal jazz standard videos for October 2014 viewing<p>>Here are a you tube links to a few VOCAL JAZZ STANDARD VIDEOS I have done for Jongleur Productions<br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5Z59aXidHE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5Z59aXidHE</a><br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlwtiPJX30M">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlwtiPJX30M</a><br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6BB6fQThaM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6BB6fQThaM</a><br>http://youtubemp3.club/download/lagu_jeri_brown_live_in_montreal_jazz_is/<br> </p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/32300782014-10-13T15:30:09-03:002014-10-13T15:30:09-03:00Some of Jeri's Arts Projects for Viewing>You can find more of my arts projects on : HERE<a href="https://soundcloud.com/jeri-brown">https://soundcloud.com/jeri-brown</a><br>Smudge (aka Fathom) musical by Jeri Brown excerpt<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebfETDSHXOg">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebfETDSHXOg</a><br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xqKHE23C3Y&list=ALBTKoXRg38BBZ4fmsQDHHmEfRNkpQZ2jf">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xqKHE23C3Y&list=ALBTKoXRg38BBZ4fmsQDHHmEfRNkpQZ2jf</a><br> Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/32300742014-10-13T15:27:51-03:002024-01-07T14:18:25-04:00Jeri's Favorite Fall 2014 Playlist<p>A short song list by Jeri Brown for Jongleur Productions thanks to qobuz.com.<a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/firm-roots-jeri-brown/0068944018420">http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/firm-roots-jeri-brown/0068944018420</a><br><br>Enjoy!!<br>· 1 What is Life<br>00:04:12<br>Ron Paley, Writer, Composer - Jeri Brown, Main Artist - Copyright : (c) 2003 Justin Time Records, Inc..<br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/firm-roots-jeri-brown/0068944018420">Listen </a><br> <br>· 2 Calls from the Other Side of a Dream<br>00:04:35<br>Billy Robinson, Writer, Composer - Jeri Brown, Main Artist - Copyright : (c) 2003 Justin Time Records, Inc. <br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/firm-roots-jeri-brown/0068944018420">Listen </a><br> <br>· 3 The Root of Life<br>00:04:50<br>Cedar Anthony Walton, Writer, Composer - Doug Carn, Writer, Composer - Jeri Brown, Main Artist - Copyright : (c) 2003 Justin Time Records, Inc.<br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/firm-roots-jeri-brown/0068944018420">Listen </a><br> <br>· 4 Love's Free<br>00:05:41 Unavail. individ.<br>Sherry Scott, Writer, Composer - Ade Scott, Writer, Composer - Jeri Brown, Main Artist - Copyright : (c) 2003 Justin Time Records, Inc. <br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/firm-roots-jeri-brown/0068944018420">Listen </a><br> <br>· 5 Feelin' Good<br>00:09:55 Unavail. individ.<br>Leslie Bricusse, Writer, Composer - Anthony Newly, Writer, Composer - Jeri Brown, Main Artist - Copyright : (c) 2003 Justin Time Records, Inc.<br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/firm-roots-jeri-brown/0068944018420">Listen </a><br> <br>· 6 What the World Needs Now<br>00:04:59<br>Burt Bacharach, Writer, Composer - Hal David, Writer, Composer - Jeri Brown, Main Artist - Copyright : (c) 2003 Justin Time Records, Inc.<br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/firm-roots-jeri-brown/0068944018420">Listen </a><br> <br>· 7 With a Child's Heart<br>00:04:18<br>Vicki Basemore, Writer, Composer - Henry Cosby, Writer, Composer - Sylvia May, Writer, Composer - Jeri Brown, Main Artist - Copyright : (c) 2003 Justin Time Records, Inc.<br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/firm-roots-jeri-brown/0068944018420">Listen </a><br> <br>· 8 Straight Ahead<br>00:05:37<br>Abbey Lincoln, Writer, Composer - Mal Waldron, Writer, Composer - Leon Baker, Writer, Composer - Jeri Brown, Main Artist - Copyright : (c) 2003 Justin Time Records, Inc.<br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/firm-roots-jeri-brown/0068944018420">Listen </a><br> <br>· 9 Will it Go Around in Circles?<br>00:06:43<br>Billy Preston, Writer, Composer - Bruce Fischer, Writer, Composer - Jeri Brown, Main Artist - Copyright : (c) 2003 Justin Time Records, Inc.<br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/firm-roots-jeri-brown/0068944018420">Listen </a><br> <br>· 10 Life's Journey<br>00:04:35<br>Erich Kory, Writer, Composer - Jeri Brown, Writer, Composer, Main Artist - Copyright : (c) 2003 Justin Time Records, Inc. <br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/firm-roots-jeri-brown/0068944018420">Listen </a><br> <br>· 11 We May Never Pass This Way Again<br>00:03:52<br>JAMES SEALS, Writer, Composer - Darrel Crofts, Writer, Composer - Jeri Brown, Main Artist - Copyright : (c) 2003 Justin Time Records, Inc.<br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/firm-roots-jeri-brown/0068944018420">Listen </a><br> <br>· 12 Loving Words<br>00:04:24<br>Ron Paley, Writer, Composer - Alexander Marshall, Writer, Composer - Jeri Brown, Main Artist - Copyright : (c) 2003 Justin Time Records, Inc.<br><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/firm-roots-jeri-brown/0068944018420">Listen </a><br> </p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/21915152013-12-08T12:33:38-04:002014-01-24T12:09:32-04:00Jeri Brown Master Class/Jazz Choir Nov. 28 ConcertIn the illustrious international Oscar Peterson Concert Hall, an entire day was spent instructing supervising and directing 25 talented singers, instrumentalists and audio recording technicians for an evening concert on a very icy cold night in Montreal to a good, warm audience! Mic technique, stage presence, and interaction with rhythm section was my focus during the day. Long day - but well worth it!<br> 1:01:25Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/21913932013-12-08T12:16:04-04:002024-01-07T14:30:07-04:00Jeri Brown performs with Friend and exceptional spoken word artist Denise Cook - The Oracle!<p>From Nov. 8 til departure at separate airports i could not have had a better time in Washington, D. C. this year. Hats off to the organizers, friends of Denise Cook who welcomed me into their homes during our brief stay. My production company has just released the single in a rough form of IN THE TIME OF SUMMER - HUSH! This single was passed out to audience members at the 2nd Annual Billboard Spoken Word Awards Show. And, yes, Denise Cook won the award, 2nd time in a row!! Whoohoo!! Highlight for me was also performing with jazz trio in the city, and in the interraction of so many young people interested in the arts. Also, spent a few minutes with a lovely Delta sorority sister! Roy Hargrove was in rare form at Blues Alley during the say - saw his show twice. Did not get to connect, but was very supportive of old friend. The show was stellar! Looking forward to performing there in the future with my own show.</p>4:44Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/9992302013-06-23T12:00:00-03:002024-01-07T15:10:41-04:00Regina Jazz Festival presents JERI BROWN<p>June 15 performance in Regina was a grand time with a great audience and wonderful group of staff and jazz festival volunteers. I had my fill of delicious foods while there at Craves - supah! Wht a great band Dead Bones horn Ensemble. I hope to perform with you someday and the singer. I apologize for getting your name wrong. I do know that the name is symbolic of the history of Regina, thanks to Al, my driver! Woody Woods could not get enough of the music. We hope to get back really soon. Also, it was great meeting new faces, including Ms. Brown (are we related???) and my former student from Montreal..... Great times in such a short span.<br> </p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/9992382013-06-21T12:15:00-03:002013-09-06T12:26:36-03:00Jeri Mentors Vocal Artists for Prism Agency in Halifax as Artistic Director June 21 at the Music Room in Halifax was popping with musical energy. As Artistic Director for Prism Agency in Halifax, I was so excited and pleased to be a feather in the audience while enjoying the performance of Prism Artist, Nadia Moore. As her mentor, we only had a brief time together. She is a first class talent. Best to you, Nadia.<br>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/7751462013-05-19T17:07:34-03:002013-05-19T17:07:34-03:00Yardbird Suite Performance - 2 nites - Edmonton!!!Edmonton was great! Beautiful sun! Loved Dadeo restaurant!!! Cpuldn't stay away from their New Orleans hospitality! Great audiences both nites at Yardbird! Thanks, Mr.Spence for excellent transporting of us. And yes, special appreciation to Lizo sound and video guru.Great to see you Jermaine. Let's keep in touch, Adrien, you're the best.<br>
Thanks for the photo fan from Montreal!<br type="_moz">Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/5534022013-04-17T17:17:15-03:002013-04-17T17:17:15-03:00It really was a Night in Tunisia!Awesome! Musicians, riding on the camel, five star hotel and red carpet treatment, plus beautiful weather and people! I felt so fortunate. Concert was tremendous and filmed! Six radio and press interviews, along with a photographer and in house reviewer. They were wonderful...interesting to feel the pulse of an audience - lovers of rhythmic and melodic improvisation and lovers of lyrics ....in a beautiful land where Arabic is primary language made for great energy. Too cool! I am humbled by it all!!<br type="_moz">Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/5533422013-04-17T17:12:02-03:002013-04-17T17:12:02-03:00Salford U.While it was cool and damp upon arrival, perched next to the BBC, this very contemporary university was so modern - just my cup of tea! I loved it. The classrooms, wall of twitter, wall of dvds, and the bathrooms were so modern...a perfect place to speak about future in jazz, even if it was premised by denouncing the authenticity of swing and all that WyntonMarsellis inspired. With no mention of vocalists in the past or present I have my work cut out for me in bringing attention to the historical and futuristic importance of females, and vocalists in particular. I remembered when Stanley Crouch first took me to McKell's in New York to see Wynton and his trio during his first tour. What an exciting night! What great music! What a memory!<br><br>
Quite a controversial key note address by Mr. Ade. Food for thought..., My talk was great, also. Power point worked well and it was filmed! Great questions from scholars...fascinating. And about Fred Hersch and my suite on time, I hope to present it in a more rhythmical context in the future.<br><br><br type="_moz">Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/5532472013-04-17T17:02:23-03:002013-04-17T17:02:23-03:00Georgia State U.It is great when communication can go so smoothly so that 'a poster can say it all'. A lot of thought has gone into my research on vocal improvising. I am happy to share with so many people in such a short span. I want to return to this symposium soon!<br type="_moz">Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/4424512013-03-30T19:19:02-03:002013-03-30T19:19:02-03:00April Showers with Activities!!April ia just around the corrner and I have just completed the poster of <i>my research Vocal Ecosystem</i> for the Improving Brain Symposium at Georgia State University from April 6-9! Very exciting!<br>
I have allso just put the finishing touches on my research presentation of <i>my research Vocal Ecosystem</i> at Salford University in England on April 12. This will be exciting and intriguing to present my research on vocal improvisation to a large audience of musicoligists.<br>
Lastly, in my history I actually performed A Night in Tunisia with the late phenominal Dizzy Gillespie. It was many moons ago, too. Who would ever have thought that I would perform his tune in Tunis, Tunisia this month! Yes, I will bring my Paris trio to the Carthage Jazz Festival in Tunis on April 13. I had a live radio interview the other day which was awesome! <br>
Will share more on these activities as they unfold!<br>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/4424492013-03-30T19:05:00-03:002024-01-07T15:12:31-04:00March Skype & Radio Activities!!!<p>Thanks for the birthday wishes!<br>It has been super busy and great to spend some time with Skype students as I begin to edit my new CD materials with plans for releasing in May. There are vocal competitions in most provinces and I am happy to report that I am working with singers in most of them, as well as the U.S. Good Luck to you all! It was also nice hearing a radio show feeaturing the work of former student and now established Blues singer Dawn Tyler Watson. Very satisfying to her the interview and one of her tunes titled "Cigarette". Bravo!<br>Best time has been spent with new collaborator Janne from Helsinki. We have managed to have lengthy Skype visits on most weekdays during the month of March. He is a tremendous pianist and composer who I will speak more about in coming months.<br>I accepted invitation this month to become a monthly contributing writer for Jam Voice magazine. I will share more soon!<br>I also accepted invitation this month to become a contributing host on a weekly 3 hour radio blog show in Los Angeles. I will share more soon!<br><br> </p>Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/3597062013-03-11T11:10:00-03:002013-03-11T11:10:00-03:00East Coast Music Awards/Prism Talent Agency/Woody Woods/ California!!! Mar. 2013It was wonderful to have a chance to land in the city and quickly roll over into an music industry event with new Prism Talent agecy partners Susan and Dwight! It was great seeing Cyndi Cain perform w the symphony. Highlight was seeing Rita McNeil. Good meeting old friends from the symphony and CBC's Jeff Reilly. Collaboration are long overdue.<br><br>
By the way now that I am a consultant w this local ageny as vocal coach, and presentations specialist I look forward to working w the artists on this roster. <br><br>
As Woody Woods is listed on the Prism Agency roster I am happy to report that he and I had a great time perfecting the west coast tour - <i>Jeri Brown: First Ladies of Jazz</i>. Congrats, Woody!!! We will be working again in May in Edmonton, Alberta for two nights at the Yardbird Suite. I am looking forward to those dates and the return to California. I already miss it.<br>
Jeri<br type="_moz">Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/3596342013-03-11T10:37:19-03:002013-03-11T10:37:19-03:00Thanks California!!! Winter Tour 2013I met so many people on this tour. It was simply incredible! I want to thank Denise and Jeri especially for the social networking. Between the red carpet events (Oscars) and all of the parties, I was elevated to an all - time high. It was so great to be a guest at CCH Pounder's home and to meet Lorraine Toussant.These are two actresses who I admire to the fullest! Now the work begins as I sift through the films, press shots, audio to further the productions from these events. Thanks to my social media administrator, also. Joshua you have kept me organized this time! All for now<br type="_moz">Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/3596352013-03-11T10:35:00-03:002013-03-11T10:35:00-03:00Musician's Institute 2013 Winter Artist ResidencyI keep saying the same thing, but it is true. It was a blast working with singers and choral groups while serving as an artist-in-residence there. Thanks to Andrea Calderwood and Don Claydon for your support and generosity. I am looking forward to returning. Students have an abundance of energy!!! Thanks, Woody Woods, for driving through the desert multiple times to support my teaching projects there, also!<br type="_moz">Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/3596252013-03-11T10:30:00-03:002013-03-11T10:30:00-03:00CAAM-Mar. 3What a wonderful event. I thoroughly enjoyed performing, meeting and mingling. The up-and-coming artistry was inspiring, also. And the extra bonus was having a chance to be on live radio with The Oracle before the show. That was very cool. Thanks, Mr.Gunther, Ms. Denise Cook, and, of course, my band - Woody, Trevor and Clayton!!!! Boom shakala!!! <br type="_moz">Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/3596172013-03-11T10:25:00-03:002022-02-18T02:37:09-04:00Savannah Jazz in San Francisco Feb. 15 & 16My favorite venue of the tour. Those two nights with my crack band was avant garde inspiring. Looking forward to it again! Weather was lovely and so was the wonder sites. And the food - yes, the food was super!!! Highly recommended.<br type="_moz">Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/3596152013-03-11T10:25:00-03:002013-03-11T10:25:00-03:00The Merc - Temeculah, California! Valentine's Day Feb. 14What a sweet venue? Well managed by jazz vocalist Sherri Williams. Thanks a million. Interesting audience. Well suited for a lovely Feb. 14 Valentine's Day event.<br type="_moz">Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/3595762013-03-11T10:20:00-03:002013-03-11T10:20:00-03:00Thank you Catalina Bar & Grill in Los Angeles! Feb. 12It was a blast performing, recording and filming here. I never knew a Tuesday gig could be so much fun! Thanks to my A listed jazz team: Trevor Ware, Clayton Cameron and Woody Woods! Ivan Zawinul on sounds - tremendous!!!<br type="_moz">Jeri Browntag:www.jeribrown.com,2005:Post/2694102012-12-20T12:03:00-04:002012-12-20T12:03:00-04:00Tragedy & Love Tragedy hits us all. We are not spared. The best we can do is to keep moving forward with hope. Colleague & musician Jimmy Greene lost his daughter in the senseless tragedy in Connecticut. It has changed my life. Children are our future. I've recorded these songs of inspiration: What the World Needs Now Is Love, Love's Free, A Child's Song, With a Child's Heart, Shall We Gather, The Creator Has a Master Plan, Precious Energy. Jeri Brown