OK…of course I have come to the table late! Between auditioning, trying to book gigs and secure creative projects, it’s hard out there! Now I am tweeting too! The more the merrier! Networking is the key to opportunities and contacts for everyone be it peers or fans…so here we are! This year, I promise I will upgrade my page…damn, I am so technically challenged at times…but it’s all good! See ya soon, cakes!
Hello everyone! What a great time to be alive! We have the chance to change the world by pledging to do all that we can to help our wonderful new president and his administration!
Our new president, our country and our communities need us now more than ever. We all need to use our talents, our skills, our love of people…especially our young people and our seniors. When President-elect Obama takes his oath of office, let us all take our oath to move from the era of greed and selfishness to the era of awakening and consciousness!
Tomorrow we celebrate, and Wednesday January 21st, we get to work! Please go to www.usaservice.org and find out how to help in your communities and sign up at the website for ongoing information!
Enjoy, and have a safe and happy celebration! I thought you would enjoy viewing my inaugural invitation….Have a martini on me!
I just got my official invitation to the inauguration of our 44th President of the United States! What a great way to start off the New Year. Along with other policies to move our country forward, the Prez-elect and the First Lady-to be have vowed to bring more art, music and style to the White House! That means more jazz too! I am so excited! So with that in mind, allow me to share a great clip from You Tube! Happy New Year Everyone!!!
Today, I like all of you learned of the death of one of my favorite actors. Paul Newman was much, much more. He was also engaged, active, caring, devoted and just one of the most beautiful human beings ever. He used his name and fame to do great things. He believed in the spoken word and need for people to rise above themselves. He was intelligent and classy. As a member of Screen Actors Guild( as am I), he knew that you don’t give up the right to participate in the process because you have a SAG card, like right wingers try to argue. He knew that active engagement in the process is what makes our country worth fighting for. So, today my heart is broken.
No doubt that he was one of the finest looking men that ever lived. I mean, one look at that face and those eyes…and oh, my! The fact that he was also such a wonderful man just made him more gorgeous! As a jazz singer…one of his films that didn’t get tons of attention was really special to me. “Paris Blues” starred Paul Newman, his good friend Sidney Portier, Diahann Carroll, and his wife of over 50 years, Joanne Woodward. Paul and Sidney played jazz musicians. The film was ahead of its time, but for me, it captured the feel of jazz and life in Paris as a jazz musician just right. I hope it will become a favorite of jazz and Newman fans. My other favorite film is “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof!” I fell in love with Mr. Newman in this movie. From that point on, I was hooked.
So, here is a toast to you Mr. Newman. May your spirit soar and your good works last forever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAWxLlrqxAU
I wanted to share a couple of photos with you from the Soul of the Blues Summer Festival at the Cornelia Street Cafe in Manhattan. It was a wonderful night and the house was full! We are starting to set up the calendar for fall gigs and appearances. Congratulations to Ms. Linda Rhodes who walked away with the big bag of jazz “swag” which was filled with goodies. Thanks to Jon Sobel for everything at Cornelia Street!
Stay tuned and as always, thanks for your support! http://www.myspace.com/caroletroll
Rest in peace Bernie and Issac. Pure art, pure magic, pure talent!
The summer months are winding down and the need to continue getting my music out there is crucial! It’s hard for independent artists to get the music to your fans unless you are creative and stay on top of the trends, venues and new places to reach them. That is especially true for jazz artists. The appearances are key, but the economy is putting a damper on that in many ways. I tried to give my fan base a little extra, and that’s why I teamed up with Zazzle to create and promote cute products that my fans and everyone can enjoy! From totes to magnets, cups and aprons, my merchandise booth has it all! It even has campaign t-shirts that are informative and fun. In all of my posts, I will try to put a link to not only my products, but great sites that I enjoy and support. This is a time when every penny counts…( damn..I wish pennies still meant something), but oops…there it is! Not only does the diva have to work hard to keep the dollars coming in and finding work where you can, but I have to keep an eye on the dollars going out! It is so very important. You can also check my archived posts for great links too!
GET WELL SOON MR. FREEMAN!
I held my breath when I heard the news about my favorite actor Morgan Freeman’s serious car accident the other day. I am thrilled to know that he is on the mend! As a person who has had two leg fractures, I totally feel his pain…literally. I was impressed when I learned that he had a sense of humor at the scene. It just cemented the reasons why I consider him one of the finest talents and men that our industry has. It’s all about who you are and how you carry yourself in this world. You don’t have to be over the top and buy into the hype in order to make an impact and move people. I had the opportunity about 2 years ago to spend some time with some of my peers speaking to Tim Robbins. Someone asked him about Mr. Freeman and he confirmed what we all thought about him and Tim. So…feel better soon Mr. Freeman! Get some overdue rest while you are at it. You have been a very busy man, and we have enjoyed every minute of every performance!
YOU GO GIRL!
The court tossed the defamation suit against one of my two favorite female progressive radio hosts, the fabulous and extremely smart Randi Rhodes! The suit was brought against Randi and Air America Radio by CACI International, Inc. who sued for $11mil. It was tossed by a three judge panel of the 4th circuit court of appeals after the government contractor failed to prove malice and reckless disregard for the truth. Randi is now one of the great progressive stars at Nova M Radio and can be heard Monday-Friday at www.novamradio.com. Randi is my go to girl for all things political and progressive! Randi, I couldn’t be happier for you! You go girl…. www.therandirhodesshow.com
Randi Rhodes
THE WAY OF THE WORLD
I just ordered my copy of “The Way of the World” by Ron Suskind. If you still care about what has been going on in this country
today and how we got here…I hope you will order this book. Not only will you be informed, but you will have hope and be inspired that our country can still be and do great things. If we wake up. Nuf’ said…. 
Available at www.barnesandnoble.com.
JAZZ TIMES FOR JAZZ LOVERS!
Do you want to get valuable information on the latest gigs, talent, and read about the triumphs and the pitfalls of jazz artists? You have to check out Jazz Times. You will find reviews, services for musicians, appearances and festival info. This month even features a chance to win a vacation to the San Francisco Jazz Festival. Sounds like my kind of party! For more info and subscriptions….www.jazztimes.com
SISTER TO SISTER…
Thank you to my sister performers Carol Clarke, Grace Garland, Marjorie Johnson and April McCullough for all of the support they gave me at my performance at The Cornelia Street Cafe! They are great friends and fantastic performers in their own right! Thanks ladies! 
AND ONE MORE THING….
Properly inflating your tires works! Not only does it cut fuel costs, but it’s a great safety tip! Some people really do enjoy blissful ignorance….wow…
