Saturday, September 17, 2011

Ms. Jody


I wanted to meet Ms Jody particularly because she is the heart throb of a seasoned gentleman that I gig with on occasions’.  Through him I became somewhat familiar with her works.  At the end of each rehearsal he would throw these hints like: you know Ms Jody got this song out now; you know you ought to do this song by Ms Jody; the people just go crazy over a Ms Jody song.   Just the thought of Ms Jody would make this man’s eyes twinkle and put a, wish I could kind of  a smile on his face.  Oh how he would just sing her name.  I had saw this reaction before a while back when I first started to sing Blues at the Alan Shautto in Los Angeles.  Barbara Mason was the headliner.  I got there early and all the men was just infatuatedly intoxicated by Barbara.  Ms Mason did not have to sing all she had to do was show her presence.  While she was performing watching these sensible men loose it over her was a flip of the script to me.  All had there own private fantasy going on and she was singing exclusively to each one.   Ms Jody had that same kind of spell on this man.

How lucky could I’ve been the night of the Jus Blues Music Awards that she was seated at the table right in front of me.  In fact all I had to do was just lean over and tap her on her shoulder.  I didn’t though.  I just observed her from behind.  She was a show stopper alright.  I’d notice that she took the seat at the aisle.  Every man that walked in and by had to stop and give her props as they sort of leaned in for the hug and whatever they whispered in her ear.  They all left just a smiling.  She had it going on
x 2  because women where stopping to great her as well.  Not so touchy though and no ear whispering, but in a idolizing way.  She was extremely cordial and real supportive of the performances.  She was really enjoying being entertained by her peers.  I liked that about her.  It was evident that she was a favorite.

The band director, the keyboard player of the house band came up to her.  I said oh my God Mrs Jody he’s a little young there.  Naturally I was nosey and wanted to hear what they where discussing as he leaned to her and started talking in her ear.  I wanted to hear her “come on line”.  Something that I could barrow to maybe get me some action.  The house noise turned down a little and I could hear what they where talking about.  He was asking her what key did she want the song in.  Another  treat to see her perform tonight.

Shortly after the MC Tyrone Da Don Davis introduced her  something like this: spunky, sassy,  and sometimes tell it like it is nasty as the winner in her category.  The house started playing her song.  Ms Jody went up there and bam! There it was the most wittiest thing.  She danced her way up sort of sassy to the mic and grabbed it while the house was playing her song.  We thought that it was the usual acceptance speech about to come out of her.  Instead she started to sing along  to the track of her nominated song Ms Jody’s Bop.  So spontaneous.  The crowd loved it.  Ms Jody stole the moment.  She interacted while all of us reacted to the situation.  Spunky, she was all of that.  Yet she was also a classy sassy,  and smart too.  I was up on my feet to applaud her.   The house band went on to do  a medley of two songs with her.  Another great unrehearsed moment.  She truly proved just how talented of a performer she is.  Ms Jody at that moment relied on the gift of instinct to guide her and at that moment it was apparent that she was at one with her soul  and confident in defining who she was, a crafty artisan that went beyond the titles giving her. Yes  this instinctual ability is what made Michael Jackson a  great performer.
In conclusion Ms. Jody was nominated in three categories and won two. Simply outstanding!


No comments:

Post a Comment