Book Description

Karen Cameron and All That Jazz!

"Prayer and All That Jazz" by Karen Cameron-Brook

Singer Karen Cameron began her magical journey with Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians and the Glenn Miller ghost band. And continues 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.

Karen Cameron and All That Jazz! "Prayer and All That Jazz" by Karen Cameron-Brook



Singer Karen Cameron began her magical journey with Fred Waring’s Pennsylvanians and the Glenn Miller ghost band. And continues 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.