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Singer Karen Cameron began
her magical journey with Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians and the Glenn
Miller ghost band. And c ontinues
on a long and winding road that has taken her from the open plains
of North Dakota to the snow covered peaks of Alaska, the Hollywood
Bowl, Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, Buenos Aires, Ethiopia and
beyond.
Karen’s life on the road is not the typical down-and-out jazz saga.
Instead, her uplifting stories transport the reader to a place where
songs and circumstances become pathways to prayer. Karen tells it
like it is from the rich and famous to those rich in spirit and not
so famous.
Glimpses of this colorful journey are shared through a repertoire of
song titles including Tangerine, Misty, Summertime and The
Midnight Sun. Memories cast on the horizon of familiar tunes
offer entertainment and encouragement for musicians and music lovers
alike.
The book emphasizes the power of prayer and God’s sovereignty in
Karen’s life. Readers are challenged to consider their legacies and
reach beyond their comfort zones.
Synopsis of Chapters
I - AND ALL THAT JAZZ
1.
Meditation: An introduction. Poetic musing.
2. Out Of Nowhere: Growing
up in North Dakota. Music, suppression and longing for a
voice.
3. Summertime: Leaving
home. Beginning at the top - a national tour, television and
recording with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians.
4. Waltz For Debby: First
exposure to jazz - Bill Evans, Eddie Gomez and Joe Hunt at
the Village Vanguard in New York City.
5. Stars In My Eyes: Bus
accident on a road tour. Performing with Bob Hope.
6. It’s A Most Unusual Day:
The Opera Ball at Boston’s Ritz Carlton. Frank Purdue plays
a part.
7. My One And Only Love:
Johnny Hartman, sings this song to the singer due to an
unlikely Good Samaritan.
8. The Midnight Sun:
Alaskan adventures, the aurora borealis, sled huskies,
concerts and teaching at the University of Alaska with
Boston Pops musicians.
9. Stardust: Amusing
observations while working with a Boston pianist.
10. Misty: Character
sketch of a mysterious fan.
11. On The Road Again:
Foolish and sometimes dangerous encounters traveling to and
from gigs.
12. Dexterity: Tributes
and a few laughs - all about jazz musicians.
13. Scotch and Soda:
Alcohol, drugs and lack thereof.
14. On My Way To You:
Singer and bass player - a magnetic attraction.
15. Isn’t It Romantic?:
Entertaining wedding receptions.
16. Let’s Get Away From It All:
A gig in Aruba that almost was.
17. People: Five vignettes
describing encounters with five formidable people: Bing
Crosby, Art Farmer, Casey Jones, Jonathan Kozol and Nancy
Wilson.
18. This Masquerade:
Agents will be agents - deception and craziness.
19. Tangerine: Touring
with a 17-piece band in South America.
20. How Could I Ask For More?:
Bizarre harassment forces a relocation and turns out to be a
blessing in disguise.
II - JAZZ PRAYER
21. Smack Dab In The Middle:
A major turning point. Messages from God prompt a CD
recording and book writing.
22. Nancy With The Laughing
Face: Story of a caring friend who carries the author
through a dark time.
23. A House Is Not A Home:
“This is the Lord’s house.” All obstacles, the seller, a
banker and realtor factor into the sale of this house,
subsequently used to help others.
24. I Wonder As I Wander:
An allegorical wilderness experience.
25. I Say A Little Prayer For
You: A Jewish wedding and an answer to prayer.
26. He Keeps Sending Me Angels:
Earthly angels - vibrant, young students with talent.
27. Teach Me to Stop And Listen:
Lessons learned from Ken Medema, blind musician and
composer.
28. There Is Healing In His
Hands: Miracles and answers to prayer.
29. The Music That Makes Me
Dance: Influence and beauty from a sacred dancer.
30. Pennies From Heaven: A
substantial sum of money from an unlikely source
miraculously arrives at a time of need.
31. Shalom Alechem:
Dedicated to the editor - his own writing about what it is
to be a Jew.
32. Jump For Joy: Marta
Gabre-Tsadick, Ethiopia’s first woman senator, founding a
famine relief program which now includes a school and
hospital.
33. A Quiet Place: An
Ethiopian mission experience. Africa - another world.
34. Ebony Concerto: A
meant-to-be encounter with a South African Chief.
35. If: A picture paints a
thousand words when the artist/philanthropist, Launa, paints
her subjects using only letters from her poetry words.
36. Take Me Out To The Ball
Game: A two-car accident involving an “accidental
angel.”
37. Witchcraft: Salem, MA
- a brush with witchcraft and Satanic worship.
38. Skylark: Set free from
spirits of control, criticism and self-doubt.
39. Body And Soul: Music
and other gods. Looking beyond the gift to the Giver.
40. Total Praise: Wherever we go, our song goes with us. Influence and legacy. A
challenge to soar higher than our comfort zone.
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