Ravi Shankar, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Jackson Browne, John Lennon, Joel Rafael, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, C.S.N.Y., Paul Simon, Soweto, Suzanne Vega, The Moody Blues, Lowen & Navarro, Habib Koite, The Beatles, Coldplay, The Fray, J.S. Bach, Niccolo Paganini, Led Zeppelin, The Incredible String Band, Taj Mahal
Hi, my name is Jamaica. I was raised on the folk songs of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan and grew up listening to the sounds of my father's guitar. I learned to walk on the rural, rocky hillsides of San Diego's North County. By age two and a half I was climbing to the tops of tall pine trees and scaring my parents to death! At age five, after asking my mother for violin lessons, I began classical training (Suzuki Method) on the piano, since there was a piano in the house and not a violin. I took to it and started winning competitions. For three years I was a Bach Festival champion at ages eight, nine and ten. When I turned eight, I got my first guitar as a gift and I took a few folk guitar lessons. I wrote my first talkin' blues at nine. At age eleven, I received my first violin. I fell in love with the sound of bowed strings and felt immediate passion for the violin. I continued my piano training through age fourteen and performed several times at institutes and workshops, in honor recitals and in master classes, selected by teachers from all over the country, but my focus was turning more and more towards the violin. Eventually I set aside my classical piano studies in pursuit of the violin. I have been featured as a soloist on the violin in live concert performances with songwriter, Jackson Browne and on recordings of David Crosby of the legendary C.S.N.Y.. I toured and recorded with my father, Joel Rafael, for several years. We were warmly received at folk festivals across the country, in the acoustic ensemble, The Joel Rafael Band. I also love to dance and to act. I have studied gymnastics, tap, ballet, flamenco, African and Cuban dance and yoga. When I am not touring professionally, I teach private violin lessons, take acting classes, and ride Arabian horses on trails in Malibu canyon and the Santa Monica mountains. I love to sing, write songs and compose music. Although I have toured and collaborated with many well known artists, I am currently in the studio working on my own debut singer-songwriter album. I write my songs on the guitar and the piano and accompany myself, but I am joined by some incredibly talented musicians in the studio, for the recording of this album. "California Girl" is a track from my forthcoming CD. I think I have been most greatly influenced by the life and music of Ravi Shankar, composer and master of Indian classical music. My parents played his music during my birth. I believe that the greatest musical and creative inspirations come from a connection of body, mind and spirit, a concept held sacred in the study of classical Indian music and yoga. My most desired goal as a musician and artist is described best in the words of violinist Yehudi Menuhin. To achieve "a synthesis of the immediacy of expression and the spontaneity, truth and integrity of action suited to the moment, a form of honesty characteristic of both the innocent child and the great artist".
"On Stage with Jackson Browne at Valley Festival in Solvang, CA" (Photo by Tim Owen)
I met you briefly MANY years ago when you played with Joel at Cafe Coffee in Ventura.
My Friend, Frankie Fuchs grew up with Arlo and "uncle Woody". He produced an album of Woody's songs and overlayed musicians to his original recording. My husband played on "This Land is Your Land".
I have played at a Woody Tribute to honor his Birthday and legacy.
Come to Ventura and I'll help you spread the word.
We just got back from the annual FAR-West conference. You should consider going next year when it's in Irvine. Lots of really great music, jam sessions, etc. www. far-west. org
We just got back from the annual FAR-West conference. You should consider going next year when it's in Irvine. Lots of really great music, jam sessions, etc. www. far-west. org
Jamaica, thank you for the add. I missed you at Woodyfest this year,(by the time I got there you were gone) but met you last year. I love your music and really appreciate the work you do.
Hello Beautiful! Sorry it's taken me a minute to get back to you... I suppose we all have our busy lives to live. It's good to see all the new tunes on your page... I've sat and listened to each... but, of course, you know which is my favorite. I hope all is well with you and yours and perhaps someday we will get the chance to catch up. ...'til then.
Thanks for coming to Woodyfest again. Always a pleasure to see and hear you. I've posted seveal blogs and lots of photos if you care to check them out.
I like all of the new but if I had to pic a couple of favs it would be Green Mountain Boy (love that 'twangy' instrument) and a Violet Hue (great lyrics) and of course the vocals are always great. Thanks for the bulletin...Jerry
Thanks for accepting my request. Do you remember me? My name is John Pedersen and used to teach over at B&H Music in Escondido, while you were there. SOUTHERN EDGE was a country rock band that I was a member of during 1996-98.
Your songs sound great, with your expressive voice and competent accompaniment.
The concert was wonderful. I was very impressed with your lyrics, and how deep inside your spirit you go. I was moved and your music gave me such a lift. I am glad that I got to see you perform.
Greetings from Oklahoma, hope all is well. Just wanted to say congrats on your newest song posting. Violet Hue is the song that made me fall in love with your music. I remember this so well from the one and only time that I heard it. You performed this song at Woody Guthrie Fest, last year and I have been waiting to hear it again. It is a great recording. All around great job.
Hi Jamaica, I saw you on U-Tube doing Bob Dylan, so cool! Love your pictures, lots of the ranch, love the water fairy pix at the big swimming hole. Reminds me of when we were kids playing on the river! So Im sure you know about David, are you going to make it to the Summer Solstice party for him in June. The whole family will be there too. Autumn will be coming too with the kids. Hope all is going good. Talk to you soon. Love Nokomis
Sending love and blessings for the best year ever.Thanks for all you do. May you find a rewarding and fulfilling destiny in 2008 and all the years that follow.
