To my dear jazzy friends and family,
I've just returned from 7 days on the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage!! It was my first voyage as a bonafide jazz & recording artist and I am beside myself with joy!! I'd like to thank all of you who have been on this journey with me. It was back in 2002 that I decided to answer the call to music-- finally and officially. Friday night after Friday night it was only the resonance of unwritten songs that kept me company after my little son was asleep. The memory of my mother, the guidance of my Heavenly Father and the courage to stand up to my past successes and failures and proclaim that I am a jazz artist and I am ready to take my place in the world as such!
The miraculous manifestations have been many since that day. I thank LA Times Jazz Critic Don Heckman for putting his predictions in the paper even back then.
From then up to to now; I and my songwriting partner & co-producer Willie Daniels, have just left a voyage along side performers Smokey Robinson, Michael McDonald, Babyface, After 7, Kem, Whodini, Salt N' Pepa, Chuck Brown, The Gap Band, Charlie Wilson, Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe Dee, Grand Master Flash and.... us--- Rita Shelby & Willie Daniels of The 2 Jazzy Crew. We were personally introduced by Mr. Tom Joyner himself. Also on board was the incomparable Mr. Brian O'Neal, I long for the whole world to know of his brilliance.
Added to the overwhelming glee of all that is mentioned above, there was a quiet, still and unorchestrated moment on the ship where I experienced pure joy. It was not the eurphoria of a sexual climax, it was not a contrived moment with flowers and violins playing but it was a surge of joy that touched upon both the depths and heights of all that I am and all that I hope to be and all that I ever wanted and it was all captured in a moment that scared me to death!! It was more than my heart, mind and body could contemplate.
For those of you praying folks, stand with me and pray with me. Beyond my own career pursuits is a strong desire to inspire others to heal, to forgive, to love and to live life to the fullest! The wealth that I desire is beyond a need to live lavishly but to help improve the quality of life for others.
For those of you yet to experience my music, here's an inviation to come into my jazzy world and stay a while. I believe that I have found my true calling in life, my true love and my true destiny. Jazz is certainly leading me to a new demension of life and love.
I love you Mr. Music-- take my hand and let us journey on.
A DATE WTIH A SONG IS AVAILABLE AT ITUNES, AMAZON AND RHAPSODY.COM
Peace, love and jazz,
Jazzy Rita