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)
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.
Here's wishing you the happiest of Holiday Seasons. May all of your dreams come true. I took this photo a few years ago on a cold winter day in the old part of Bratislava, Slovakia.
I'll spare you the "Jamaica say you will" routine... although I was about to. I really dig what your all about, and the music is great. It makes me smile.
Ahhhh Jamaica! I worked yesterday evening until late.... I am sorry we missed you! Again, I would love to see you soon. I will drive out to LA in the next week or so. I need to go shoe shopping... I wish i could afford a pair of Jimmy Choo.... How about something similiar... If you know of any stores, let me know. We can go together!!! I LOVE YOU!
yeah, it was really nice to see the family again!!!! I'm looking forward to hearing more of your music and maybe one day we will play together... but if you have any shows or anything near by let me know and i will come out!!!!
HAPPY BIRHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JAMAICA HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HI JAMAICA ITS JOAN THANKS FOR THE ADD... WE ALL WANTED TO TELL YOU HAPPY BIRHTDAY.... COMMENT BACK -JOAN (YOUR COUSIN)
Part of it might be because I'm a California guy & it sounds so home but mostly I like California Girl because it's really a great song. Thanks Jamaica
So nice to see you again at Woodyfest. It was nice to see you get your own set. I've started a blog on the festival and will post more over the next few days. Here is a sample of the photos.
