Jennifer’s Bloggallery

Stimuli

This Musing is the result of some correspondence about the latest massive stimulus package being debated in Congress. I forwarded a notice that exhorted people to write to their Senator and explain why Arts funding is critical, not frivolous spending. It elicited a response to which I replied:

Jennifer wrote:

This will essentially pull the plug on many smaller orchestras and concert series, in addition to the losses in the visual arts. Please visit the link below and voice your opinion:
J

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX wrote:

Please take about 1 minute to go to this website and let your reps in congress know your response to how they voted on the new economic stimulus bill.
This is a great website. It links you immediately by zip code to your senators and representatives and keeps track of how they voted. If you aren’t already – get connected to this one. And, please, pass it on.
http://capwiz.com/artsusa/issues/alert/?alertid=12612041

XXXXXX reponded and worte:

Please explain your reasoning.
This takes nothing away from the “Endowment For The Arts”.
In fact the original version of the house bill included additional money for the arts. Unfortunately it was dropped as part of a compromise with the minority
party.

If the economy collapses there won’t be much of an audience to support us.

Jennifer wrote:
Dear XXXXXXX,

Arts programs are heavily dependent on donations and corporate support. Because of the money crunch, most corporate and private support has dried up. The NEA endowment isn’t enough. Symphonies are going belly up across the country, as are the performing arts centers they play in. School music programs are practically nil. Thousands of jobs are also being lost in this sector.

There was money in the original bill to address these needs.
The opposition party has (by their deeds), demonstrated that they feel our society doesn’t benefit from arts programs. They use the examples of a few visual arts exhibits that stray from their way of thinking to try and kill any government subsidization for arts education or performance.

The reality is that because of sticking their heads in the sand, our artistic culture is being determined only by market principles. It preys on those poorly educated in the arts by inundating the media with low culture that destroys, not inspires. It hurts us all. The majority of performers and artists successful enough to make a living now and in the future are only going to be people who come from wealthy families. It is practically impossible to be educated in music and the arts and also break through in the marketplace without massive financial support. Do we really want all of our artists and performers of the future to only represent the financial elite?

The economy would benefit from the education of the population in matters pertaining to the arts. It has been proven that people who are taught to appreciate higher forms of music and art have brains that function at a higher level. They become better at learning about all subjects.

We can’t take a band aid approach this time, our collective intelligence will dwindle further. With the massive turnout on election day consisting of people wanting profound change, it’s a shame Congress is wasting time arguing over small political points. They gave 350 billion dollars to the banking industry with no stings attached. What’s the big deal over 50 million dollars (that will be doled out with transparency), to help raise our country’s collective intelligence?
Jennifer

Here are links to Galleries from other sites:

1. From the Filmed Concert at the Jazz Bakery for All Out Films
Photos by Sherry Rayn Barnett July 6, 2007

2. From the Recording Sessions for “Left Coast Story”
Photos by Maria Ventura June, 2008

http://homepage.mac.com/venturaimagery/LCS/

Jennifer Jane Leitham has been referred to by noted jazz critic Leonard Feather as the “left-handed virtuoso of the upright bass.” In addition to her successful performance career, Jennifer has appeared on over 100 recordings with some of the giants of jazz music. In addition, she has recorded 7 highly acclaimed CDs of her own.

Jennifer is best known for her decade long stints with both Mel Torme’ and Doc Severinsen. She has appeared with many distinguished artists including Woody Herman, George Shearing, Gerry Mulligan, Peggy Lee, Joe Pass, Cleo Laine, Louis Bellson, Pete Rugolo, Bill Watrous, and numerous others. She has also been a member of the Tonight Show All-Stars, The Woody Herman Thundering Herd, Benny Carter Quintet, Bob Cooper Quartet, DIVA, and more.

Jennifer has been invited to perform as a featured artist or group member at almost every major jazz festival in North America and many overseas. A highly regarded educator, she is enthusiastically received as a presenter of workshops and clinics at schools and colleges around the country, and has joined the faculty at California State University Long Beach as a Studio Artist.

Jennifer’s own highly regarded CD’s include Leitham Up, The Southpaw, Lefty Leaps In, Live ! , and Two for the Road, (a duo performance with guitar virtuoso Jimmy Bruno). Her sixth CD, The Real Me features her original compositions and for the first time, her singing voice! Her latest CD “Left Coast Story” is a collection of requests from her loyal fans. From her unique arrangements of “West Side Story” to heartfelt vocal ballads to interpretations of compositions ranging from Henry Mancini to Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls to to a Flamenco tinged solo bass version of Vince Guaralidi’s “Cast Your Fate to the Wind” it’s a collection that continues the tradition of Jennifer’s ear pleasing art!

Her trio performs for enthusiastic, diverse audiences on a regular basis.

Words of high praise for Jennifer Jane Leitham and these recordings come from many of today’s jazz critics and publications :

“prodigious technique and improvisatory prowess promptly erase any emotion except awe.” [J. Robert Bragonier-52nd St. Jazz].

“As an improviser, Leitham has few peers.” [Bill Kolhaase-LA Times]

“a unique level…….to effortlessly improvise with imagination, incredible skill and even a bit of humor.” [Jim Ferguson, Jazz Times]

” swinging high-energy performances and remarkable technique…..” [John T. Bitter-musicHound Jazz]

“Combining her astonishing virtuosity with some exquisite soul, Jennifer Leitham brings in her trio to celebrate the success of her latest album, The Real Me. Some nice tunes on that one. She, (and her trio), make an organic whole that is really something live … and something that all kinds of fans get into.” [ Brick Wahl, LA Weekly]

Performing on her Hofner bass, Jennifer is an artist/clinician for Hofner String Instruments.

About her Hofner string bass model H5/12-BV she comments, “It carries enough bottom to play in an orchestra yet it still punches out pizzicato solos like a great jazz instrument.”

She is also an endorsee of Acoustic Image amplification, Raezer’s Edge speakers, Wilson pickup systems, and LaBella strings.

As a new era is ushered in with the inauguration of Barack Obama, I am filled with hope that indeed there will be changes in many of the policies affecting subjects dear to me and millions of others.
I got involved in President Obama’s campaign mostly because of his stated policies in matters pertaining to Education, the Arts, and Equality for all, regardless of sexual preference or gender identity.
Although his choice of clergy to give the invocation at his Inauguration was not something I agreed with, I was heartened by his choosing Episcipal Bishop Gene Robinson to invocate the Lincoln Memorial Celebration. Unfortunately his words didn’t make it to the broadcast. Here is a link to the Huffington Post for a video shot from the crowd, followed by the text of Rev Robinson’s words:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/19/exclusion-of-gay-bishop-f_n_159114.html

Bishop Gene Robinson’s Invocation at the Inaugural Concert at the Lincoln Memorial
January 18, 2009

“O God of our many understandings, we pray that you will bless us with tears – tears for a world in which over a billion people exist on less than a dollar a day, where young women in many lands are beaten and raped for wanting an education, and thousands die daily from malnutrition, malaria, and AIDS.

Bless this nation with anger – anger at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

Bless us with discomfort at the easy, simplistic answers we’ve preferred to hear from our politicians, instead of the truth about ourselves and our world, which we need to face if we are going to rise to the challenges of the future.

Bless us with patience and the knowledge that none of what ails us will be fixed anytime soon, and the understanding that our new president is a human being, not a messiah.

Bless us with humility, open to understanding that our own needs as a nation must always be balanced with those of the world.

Bless us with freedom from mere tolerance, replacing it with a genuine respect and warm embrace of our differences.

Bless us with compassion and generosity, remembering that every religion’s God judges us by the way we care for the most vulnerable.

And God, we give you thanks for your child, Barack, as he assumes the office of President of the United States.

Give him wisdom beyond his years, inspire him with President Lincoln’s reconciling leadership style, President Kennedy’s ability to enlist our best efforts, and Dr. King’s dream of a nation for all people.
Give him a quiet heart, for our ship of state needs a steady, calm captain.

Give him stirring words; We will need to be inspired and motivated to make the personal and common sacrifices necessary to facing the challenges ahead.

Make him color-blind, reminding him of his own words that under his leadership, there will be neither red nor blue states, but the United States.

Help him remember his own oppression as a minority, drawing on that experience of discrimination, that he might seek to change the lives of those who are still its victims.

Give him strength to find family time and privacy, and help him remember that even though he is president, a father only gets one shot at his daughters’ childhoods.

And please, God, keep him safe. We know we ask too much of our presidents, and we’re asking far too much of this one. We implore you, O good and great God, to keep him safe. Hold him in the palm of your hand, that he might do the work we have called him to do, that he might find joy in this impossible calling, and that in the end, he might lead us as a nation to a place of integrity, prosperity, and peace. Amen.”

I am a supporter of Barack Obama for many reasons, most of all because of his appeal for us to dare to be hopeful about the future. His messages of inclusion and the empowerment of the electorate, as well as his call for participation in government by the governed are refreshing ideas. Ideas that have always been available since the founders designed our democracy but have never been utilized.

The power structure that is in place in the present is not about to release it’s stranglehold. Eisenhower warned of the military/industrial complex, now that monolith is utilizing the corporate control of the media to brainwash the voting public into thinking that the Democratic campaign is still a tossup.

Barack is ahead in the popular vote and the delegate count. He cannot be overtaken during the primaries. He can only lose if the back room political machinery usurps the will of the people. He is far and away the best suited candidate for President since Abraham Lincoln. He is truly a man of the people. Yet the media reports are still stuck on the Rev Wright, Hillary’s “experience”, Barack’s middle name, Hilary’s electability against McCain, etc. When will the nonsense stop?

Our corporate/government/media power structure is scared to death of Obama. You keep hearing accounts of how Barack is outspending Hillary but there are NO reports about where Barack’s money is coming from. Barack is winning not only the hearts and minds but the POCKETBOOKS of the American people. He does not take money from paid lobbyists. He is in the pockets of no one. He will govern from his own heart and mind! He has won the trust of millions.

Where does Hillary get her money? There are NO stories on the corporate and lobbying interests that bankroll her and also own the media. Who do you think she will be beholden to if she were to continue the skullduggery and somehow become the candidate? Her honesty has been demonstrated to be faulty on countless occasions. How can she possibly win the trust of the voting populace without the constant stream of trivial misinformation from the media?

We have a real choice in this primary season as well as the general election. We can continue to decline as a nation with the powers now in control, (who include Clinton and McCain), or we can vote for someone who actually represents the desires and elicits the participation of the governed.

Our greatest hope for overcoming the monumental obstacles ahead is to ignore the drumbeat of the powers that be, and to use our power to change the paradigm.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Leitham
April 30, 2008

PS: Here’s an interesting quote:

“If one candidate is trying to scare you
and the other one is trying to get you to think;
If one candidate is appealing to your fears
and the other one is appealing to your hopes;
You better vote for the person who wants you to think and hope.”
-President Bill Clinton’s”Law of Politics” Philadelphia, PA 2004-

This rather long Musing covers experiences from my trip to Washington DC to lobby Congress organized by the National Center for Transgender Equality.

The first part highlights an exchange between myself and a friend who, (like me), is MtF but unlike me is deeply stealth. She is a beautiful, intelligent, and very succesful woman with much at stake.
I had sent out one of my periodic Email flyers announcing my upcoming gigs here in the L.A. area and I proudly included my lobbying trip to Washington D.C.

Following afterward are what I hope to be responses from anyone willing to come forward, (send me an Email), as well as my own take on the trip itself.

On 4/3/08, Jennifer Leitham wrote:

Hi Everybody,

It’s a very busy time for me, teaching at home and at CSULB, lots of gigs with great bands, some great Jazz Festivals this summer, and playing a private show at the Dinah Shore Weekend in Palm Springs with my trio. Best of all we play two great rooms next week! Great!!!!
For all of you who have asked about the trio performing on the Westside, here’s your answer. When it rains it pours!
We’re returning to the Westin LAX on Wednesday, and I’m leaving on a short trip to Washington DC, (right after our Friday date at Il Moro), to lobby Congress. My energy level has never been higher!
The Jennifer Leitham Trio
Jennifer Leitham left handed bass and vocals
Josh Nelson piano
Randy Drake drums
is appearing

Wednesday April 9
-6 to 10pm-
WESTIN LOS ANGELES AIRPORT HOTEL
5400 W. Century Blvd.,
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 216-5858, Ext. 7225

http://www.in-housemusic.com

Friday April 11
8:30 to midnight
Il Moro (pronounced ILL MORO)
11400 Olympic Blvd. (three blocks West of the 405, at Purdue)
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 575-3530

http://www.ilmoro.com

Hope you can make it!
If you are receiving these messages in a region remote to the greater Los Angeles area and do not wish to be pestered would you please respond and give me your location? If you’re local and want the madness to stop just tell me to buzz off! (Reply with “unsubscribe” in the subject).
I apologize to all my friends in Happy Valley!
As always, check the Itinerary Section of my website for a listing of all upcoming dates. The Musings section has a couple of new posts and the Media section has links to new videos and radio interviews
Please come to hear us and if you do, say hi! Stop and be friendly!
Thank you!
Jennifer

XXXX wrote:

I hope to be there on Wednesday. Now, what’s all this about lobbying Congress? Tell me about that, please!
Wow, you sound busy. That’s great! Make tons of money!
Ciao!
XXXX

Jennifer wrote:
Dear XXXX,

Hope you can be there!!!!!!
As to the lobbying, I’m going to take part in the Transgender Lobby Day for the NCTE. (National Center for Transgender Equality).
Sen Kennedy is about to introduce the Emplyee Non Discrimination Act to the Senate that has been stripped of protections for gender identity. We’re trying to show the members of Congress that we’re normal people and that we vote in greater numbers than they suspect.
I posted a link on my page after the “More Light on Transgender” Musing.
See you Wednesday!
xoxo,
Jennifer

XXXX wrote:

Dear Jennifer,
Good luck tilting at windmills! It’s a lost cause, at this point. Without the support of the HRC, (Human Rights Comission), there’s no political cover for the politicians. And I hope you’re taking with you only mainstream-looking, well-passing people. Some of our fellow travelers scare the bejeezus out of them politicians. They see some drag queen-looking person, and they just imagine an ad during their next campaign showing that person, with the narrator saying, “Senator Soandso voted to have this sexual deviant take care of your preschool children.”
Cheers!
XXXX

Jennifer wrote:

Dear XXXX,

I’ve blogged about it. I’ve lobbied my Congressman here at home, done just about all that I can as an individual.
I can only say this: Stop hiding!!!! Let them see you in person!
One of the reasons that we’re misrepresented in the political world is that it seems that the majority of us who are willing to be public are individuals that don’t pass or don’t care to. We “scare the bejeezus out of them politicians”! We have to educate “them politicians” to the fact that we are just trying to live our lives in a positive, constructive manner and that we have every right to the same protections as all other human beings.
I’m going (as are many others this year), to show that we are capable of being “normal” and/or at the very least, acceptable. If we don’t make the effort, things will stay the same.

We’re going to pose on the Capitol steps on April 15 and this year we’re going to be double the size of last year’s group. I’m going to talk to Congressional staffers with a clear, level head, and educate them about my life. The failure of the trans-inclusive ENDA and the betrayal of our political allies have made me realize that standing on the sideline is not an option.
I’m tired of being dictated to by Barney Franks and his ilk, the HRC, and the religious right.
Even if we fail I will feel that the attempt will have advanced our standing.

xoxo
Jennifer
April 3, 2008

Here is a link to the National Center for Transgender Equality website:

http://nctequality.org/

Here is a response from another participant who lobbied Congress with me for The National Center for Transgender Equality. When asked if she would prefer to remain anonymous she emphatically told me to use her name and Email address: