Comedian Jeff Lutz Hits our Gumbo Stage!

The Gumbo is a great little showcase and open mic created for sole purpose of inviting an eclectic mix of performers to our stage,  while creating a supportive performance environment for our current network.  The room is filled with a great vibe like no other, encouraging artists to to take the stage whether they are just starting out, or perfecting their current repertoire.  It's a great platform and I encourage all artists to come out and jump into our pot of gumbo soup!

That's where I met Comedian and Screenwriter, Jeff Lutz.  

Photograph by Sean Friedman

Jeff came in with great energy, a dark voice, and funny material that immediately connected with our audience.  He threw himself into our pot of stew and well...I'm happy to say he hasn't missed one yet since its inception!  A Gumbo historian, he knows every single performer that's ever taken our stage, which says a lot about the memorable performers looking for a great network to be a part of in order to showcase their work.  

Believe me when I tell you that every type of artist/performer comes to this great little showcase such as: fashion designers, singer songwriters, comedians, actors, dancers and more.  I like referring to our gumbo as "a fun little tasty appetizer to our main stage Jambalaya events."  

I think one of the most difficult tasks in life is to make people laugh on stage.  It takes a lot, and Jeff works at it all the time in order to perfect his craft.  The biggest thing that makes our Gumbo so likable is that we take great pride in introducing performers to our guests and other artists prior to taking the stage.  This really makes a huge difference and helps for people to get to know each other making it a more enjoyable night!  It's like having guests in your home and trying to make them feel as welcomed as possible.    

It's not easy to get up on stage and bare your soul, and takes a lot of courage especially to do comedy.  Trust me, I know all too much about this topic since I am also a performer.  I asked Jeff what was different about performing at Gumbo and his answer was that everyone in the room really supports the artists, and wants to see them do well.  It's a great atmosphere for artists to throw themselves in and try out new things or just to keep themselves fresh! 

Getting to know Jeff has been great and he's exactly the type of person we enjoy working with.  His dedication says it all and I am excited to announce he will be joining our Jambalaya team as a segment producer leading our comedy troupe.  We are thrilled to have him on board and the great ideas he will be  bringing will add a fresh new perspective into our events.  

Thanks Jeff, for signing on with our Jamba community and for being a part of our Gumbo network!   We hope you will join us at our next gumbo and meet him in person.  I'll be there, and I know he won't miss it for the world!  

Jeff will also be joining us as a guest blogger for Pepper Guy Picks, adding his take on our gumbos, artists and other comedy material as well.  So please feel free to comment and ask questions to our Gumbo (or is it Baba Ghanoush??) Historian!!  

Please read more to learn about Jeff and his comedy!

Jeff Lutz

www.JeffLutzComedy.com 

www.youtube.com/JeffLutzComedy

Since making his debut at the University of Florida in 2003, Jeff has been performing at clubs and colleges all over the country, including Caroline’s on Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, and The Comic Strip Live in New York City and the LA Improv and The World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood, CA.

He has worked as a writer for National Lampoon and an on-air personality for WUFT-FM in Gainesville. Not to mention, working with some of the hottest names in comedy today such as MADTV’s Bobby Lee, Last Comic Standing winner’s Iliza Shlesinger and Jon Reep, Maria Bamford, and Jim Gaffigan.

Jeff’s unique and playful take on the most trivial and sacred of life’s truths relates to people in a way that not only makes them agree, but laugh as well. And he’s not afraid to turn on himself. “I look like I’m 14, I sound like I’m 35. The only time people take me seriously is at Halloween.”

When asked about his future goals in comedy, Jeff, who is originally from Kutztown, Pa., said: “I really enjoy making people laugh and I find it’s easier to do that in a comedy club than in an office. The water cooler just isn’t what it used to be.”

www.youtube.com/JeffLutzComedy

Vocal Tips from Opera Singer, Lori Fredrics!

Lori Fredrics

has some great tips for reducing interfering stage fright!

1. Accept your “nerves”, use them to your advantage.

Feeling butterflies? This is natural, you are about to perform. Adrenaline is coursing through your veins. You don't feel normal. The adrenaline is good. It means you care. An inexperienced actress once confided to legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt that she never suffered stage fright before going on stage. Bernhardt responded: “Don't worry, it comes with talent”.

Skilled performers use their feelings of nervousness to give their performance that added sparkle and believe it or not, accuracy. When a performer is too relaxed, too exhausted, or simply doesn't care enough to produce adrenaline a lack luster performance full of mistakes is likely to occur.

2.  Be prepared! 

Know your words and music accurately and thoroughly. It is no fun for a performer to go on stage and have to think, ”what is my next line, what is my next note?” It feels like an exam! It is not interesting to an audience to see someone on stage looking towards the ceiling totally preoccupied with remembering what is coming next. Work sufficiently on your performance to develop the best interpretation for which you are at this time capable, and you will have something share with an audience. If you have prepared to the best of your ability go ahead and perform whether you are a beginner or someone with a fully polished talent.

3. Be yourself, have something to say. 

There already is a Rene Fleming, there already is a David Bowie and there already is a Joss Stone. If your aim is to be somebody else, you will become frustrated and nervous and fail because it is impossible. (Ignore this advice if  your aim is to market yourself as a tribute act!)

4. Most importantly, it is not about you, it is about the music and sharing it with the audience. 

It is not about the quality of your voice but how you use your voice to express your interpretation of the music. Charisma or having a magnetic personality is a function of how you make others feel. Focus on the audience and they will love you! The one thing a performer cannot afford to be is self-conscious! It is your job to put 100% of your mental focus on what you are expressing. If 100% of your mind is actually focused on expressing the song there is no part of you left to worry about what people think of you

There is a wonderful book that shows performers exactly how to accomplish this. It is called The Inner Game of Music, by Barry Green.  Barry Green, a professional bassist, was inspired by the method of mental exercises developed by Tennis professional Timothy Gallwey. Tim Gallwey wrote the book “The inner game of Tennis” to share what he learned as a result of his observing the best tennis coaches. Barry Green applied and adapted Gallwey's methods for the performance of music.

I have found that students who have read the book and practice the exercises along with particular individualized exercises assigned during lessons find that their performance anxiety significantly reduced.

It is important to identify the misconceptions and faulty patterns of thinking that feed into performance anxiety. When these ideas are explored and aspiring performers realize that there is an alternative, more productive way of thinking, it is easy to break the cycle of paralyzing anxiety.

Some of my student performers have chosen use beta-blocker medications prescribed by physicians. in conjunction with psychological therapy along with specific coaching to reduce performance anxiety with excellent results.

Beta Blockers reduce the body's physical experience of “fight or flight” response. They are useful when the fight or flight response is so strong that performance is simply not possible. The down side is that beta blockers are also said to reduce the emotional level of performance thus creating a reliable professional performance but perhaps reducing the possibility of a thrilling, spectacular performance.

Beta-blockers will, however, not reduce the negative self-defeating thoughts that “The inner game” method ELIMINATES.

I therefore unreservedly recommend

"The Inner Game of Music," by Barry Green with W. Timothy Gallwey, 

(Doubleday, New York, 1986).

Please note that I have never met nor corresponded with Barry Green and I have no connection with Doubleday books.  I have simply found his book to be helpful to my students.

Other excellent books on the subject of performance anxiety:

The Audition Process: Anxiety Management and Coping Strategies,

by Stuart Edward Dunkley (Juilliard Performance Guides No. 3)

A Soprano on Her Head: Right-side-up Reflections on Life and Other Performances,
by Eloise Ristad

Making Music for the Joy of It: Enhancing Creativity, Skills and Musical Confidence,
by Stephanie Judy

Anxiety and Musical Performance: 
On Playing the Piano From Memory,
by Dale Reubart (Da Capo Press)

Happy Singing to All

Pepper Guy Says:  "Thanks for the great tips Lori"

We love Samantha Diaz!

I am excited for you all to meet a very special woman who really has it going on!  

Samantha Diaz 

and 

Dance Soul Company

Photograph by Sean Friedman

Samantha and I met though Jambalaya Events.  What a place to meet the most amazing performers and artists!  She is a beautiful woman with style, grace, passion and exotic beauty.

  

Samantha brought the Dance Soul Company dancers into our Jamba community ready to rule our stage, and they showed off a repertoire not to be forgotten.  Our audiences are immediately captured as they watch in awe at their tantalizing moves!  Dance Soul is super hot when performing their Brazilian Samba and Fusion Belly dance numbers, incorporating colorful costumes and beauty up on our stage.  A spicy mix indeed and we're lucky to have them! They have become a staple at Jambalaya, our audiences love them, and they're here to stay!

Samantha is always able to choreograph fascinating performances, adding a lot of extra spice and seductiveness into our mix.  She takes so much pride in her work, and is always a pleasure to work with.   She really knows what it takes to be successful, always marketing herself, and presenting great numbers, and we are thrilled that Dance Soul has become associated with Jambalaya Events.  Our audiences always react with excitement and they are a proven show pleaser.  

Photographs are taken by Sean Friedman

Pepper Guy Says:  "Hot...Hot...Hot!

Check out Hip Hop and Recording Artist - Akilah Brock!

I met this passionate hip hop artist at one of our Gumbo showcases.  Akilah Brock, performed her hit track called Paypa Chase, rocking it out that night, showing off her sultry poetic style, and capturing everyone’s attention!   She was unstoppable making her presence known as she took our stage by storm!  I knew then that this girl was a true artist in every sense of the word!  I’m excited to say that Akilah, is here to stay offering her passionate lyrics to her fans!   


Thanks Akilah for being in the Gumbo mix with us!  

Read below to learn more about this passionate artist.  

It takes a lot of guts walking up to Jay-Z. But that’s exactly what Kingston, Jamaica born Akilah did when a mutual acquaintance gave her the opportunity to meet the God MC during a 2005 record release party for Ne-Yo. After a brief verbal exchange, Jay gave the upstart two words of advice that she’s embraced ever since: “Come harder.” Blessed with a go-getter spirit and determination, Ms. Akilah Brock has matched her talent with a hustle Mr. Carter couldn’t deny. 


Akilah has always been impassioned by the arts. After being transplanted from the home of Bob Marley to the birthplace of Nas (Queens, NY) as an infant, the little Leo would be introduced to dancing and modeling at an early age. While attending the highly prestigious Benjamin Cardozo High School, Akilah became the director for Senior S.I.N.G., a high school performance competition that put her in charge of 75 of her classmates. Unfortunately it would take tragedy for Akilah to embrace her immense leadership and musical potential. 


In October 2004 Akilah’s mother passed away due to Cancer. Looking for an emotional outlet, she poured her pain into a heartfelt poem called “Sunrise to Sunset.” Reciting the powerful words to her friends at every instance, Akilah finally recorded the poem as a song on the one-year anniversary of her mother’s passing. After that first experience in the studio, Akilah the artist was born. “I was able to release so many emotions,” she remembers. “It just felt like the words were coming from another place.”


Inspired by artists like Salt-N-Pepa, The Notorious B.I.G. and Onyx, Akilah set out to craft songs with mass appeal and a message. Her successful mission can be heard on her eclectic debut "TE$TIMONEY", with inspirational tracks like the rise-up anthem “Get It In” and the rock-tinged “Automatic Addict”. There’s also her current single, “Icy Hot,” which is a standout party cut that will keep dance floors packed and have bodies rockin’ all night long.

It’s the road to success for Akilah Brock. With killer curves, colorful music and an equally as imaginative marketing plan packed for her journey, not even Jay-Z could knock her hustle.

Pepper Guy Says:  "Rock out Akilah!"

Meet Assistant Producer: Sherries Pritchard of Stylish Weddings & Things!

I am so excited to introduce you to our newest team member, 

Sherries Pritchard

President & CEO, Founder 

of 

Stylish Weddings & Things 

Now Adding 

Assistant Producer 

to her title for our next Jambalaya Event!   

Sherries is a Professional Event Planner and Bridal Consultant, acknowledged by the Association of Bridal Consultants with experience in wedding and event planning.  Sherries will act as Assistant Producer for our upcoming Jambalaya event, while adding her expertise and advice into our mix to insure our spectacular will be a huge success for this year's 2011 event.  

Sherries' knowledge and tremendous eye for detail will greatly help take Jambalaya to a higher level. Her expertise is in planning unique events, exactly what Jambalaya is known for.


In order to produce our next spectacular, we will continue moving forward to line up our team with top professionals in the artist and entertainment communities. Jambalaya will offer a fantastic variety of acts, and add even more of a carnival atmosphere to the event. 


We're off to a great start for this year, with an even more spectacular event to come!


On behalf of our entire Jambalaya Event Team, we offer our thanks to Sherries for making this commitment along with us.  

Pepper Guy Says:  "Stay tuned for more information coming on Sherries' company"

Recognizing an Outstanding Team Member - Regine DeBerry

I am more than thrilled to write this note to recognize the amazing efforts of this beautiful lady, 
Regine DeBerry, our Director of Business Services!

I met Regine when she first came to Jambalaya Events to promote her business in our business exhibit segment.  Her spirt was grand as she began the Jamba journey with her very own company, Hyperion Entertainment, and the rest was history!  Regine was so excited to be there with us and we were excited to have her participate in 2009!  Starting a new business is always daunting, and after attending a Jambalaya event she immediately sensed the need to become a part of this amazing community.  

I knew right away how smart and capable she was, a woman with tremendous spirt, kindness and business savvy!  She has a beautiful heart and was someone I definitely wanted on my team!   She arrived at our event early, set up her table and was ready to go.  With so many details to manage, her natural instincts and leadership caused her to jump right in offering assistance wherever she could.  It's not easy to build a great team and it definitely takes time to get the right people on board.  She was a natural in this format and we were lucky to have her.  

Regine fell in love with Jambalaya's concept, and without hesitation she jumped on board making our team stronger and taking us to the next level!  One of the things I personally thrive on is working with people that have an outside of the box way of thinking.  This is one of the keys to what makes Jambalaya what it is.  Our event is so unique in its style and invites everyone to hop into the same pot of stew...hence the name Jambalaya!  How could our event not have her, she was and still is, super motivated and perfect in her new role of Director of Business Services!   

Since then, Regine has found a home in Jambalaya Events allowing her to incorporate her team spirit, business savvy, and leadership efforts into our company. She has handled tasks such as marketing and securing businesses, conducting meetings, helping to cast performers, handling phone calls and dealing with office managerial duties, as well as directing our business exhibit at the event itself.  Regine is definitely my right hand when it comes to the business aspects of the company, and is always professional, courteous, and greatly appreciated.  Her commitment is outstanding and she is an enormous value to myself and our team.  

And if that wasn't enough, Regine is also super successful with her own line of Temptress Jewelry, offering beautiful one of-a-kind hand-crafted designs.   Through the added efforts of Jambalaya's table concepts, Regine had the opportunity to market and sell her designs, and connect with many new clients to be quite a success!   

 www.TemptressJewelry.com

 

This note is to recognize the efforts of an amazing person and to say "Thank you for always putting your best foot forward and helping to make Jambalaya Events a HUGE Success!"   I look forward to your continued commitment towards the success of all of our events as we take Jambalaya to a higher level in the year 2011!

My Sincerest Gratitude,

Liz Tapia

Founder & Producer

Attention Performers! Audition for our Next Jambalaya Spectacular!

Jambalaya! 

"The Event for all Artists & Businesses" 

is in the planning stages of our next spectacular!

Jambalaya is seeking dynamic performers for our upcoming event in May of 2011!   

We Invite you to Audition for the Hottest Event of the Year!

SIGN UP TO AUDITION! 

Audition for a chance to perform in the hottest independent artist event there is in NYC! 


Our performance slots will fill quickly featuring the most eclectic mix of artists in front of hundreds of guests!  Jambalaya offers the most fun events and audiences for Independent Artists and Businesses you will ever get a chance to perform in front of!   


We are seeking all styles and performers that have not been featured with us yet. 
All of our performers come in ready to rock the house to an audience of at least 300 guests and more! 

Jambalaya has featured in past events: 


Comedians
Singer Songwriters
Bands 
Models and Fashion Designers
Jazz Groups 
Models and Fashion Designers
Martial Arts
Dancers of all styles
Magicians
Ventriloquists
Ballroom Dance
Rap/Hip Hop/Pop
and more.... 


It's the most creative event out there for Independent Performers!

Please only submit for an audition if you have not been featured yet.